Constructive Criticism?
 

HI--maybe I am just feeling cranky today but it seems that lately both here and on the Europe board, that there are *lots* of requests that sound like--"We have decided to go to----. Now would you please plan our entire trip." I am well aware that I can just ignore these posts, but I must comment. It is a really nice and considerate gesture to those who participate in this forum, when the people who are making a request, show that they have put at least a modicum of effort into their own trip before posting a query....

I'm sure most would put a modicum of effort in if they could find one.

I tend to just ignore those threads, as well as the ones on the other extreme:

"I've booked 6 countries, 12 cities, 47 castles, and 68 museums in 7 days, my travelling partner says we can only do 67 museums, please HELP"

One of my faves is:

""We are going to New York City the first weekend in December and can't find a cheap room! Last summer we got the Hilton Times Square for $35 and now we can't get that price!! Why is priceline now trying to rip people off?

What should we see and do in NYC?""

GoT, only surpassed by "is there anything to do in NYC?" To which I an always tempted to reply "no"!

How about, "Where can I find a good place to eat in _______?" Fill in the blank with any large city.

How do I get an upgraded room?

How many (fill in the currency) should I buy (at some really unfavorable rate) in the US before travel to (choice of country)?
M

I don't mind the restaurant recommendation requests, but I am so on board with you BeachBoi, I loathe the "how do I get an upgrade" nonsense. I just want to say, "Darling, if you want an upgrade then you should work hard, save your $ and pay for an upgrade like the rest of us..." I caa't stand it when people expect something for nothing, or those that lie and say "It's my anniversary, or we just got married, or it's my birthday just to get a frebbie".

(But my Momma didn't raise me to say that, lol, shhhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell her I said it here.)

:S-

Funny but with a modicum of effort, I am often happily upgraded by the front desk when the establishment is not at full capacity.

Tiff, I SO agree with you! There's nothing wrong with enjoying an upgrade if it's offered to you, or mentioning your birthday if it is indeed your birthday, but when people post and ask for hints to "guarantee" they'll get an upgrade at the Four Seasons or the Grand Wailea .... If a particular level of room is that important to your vacation, PAY for it! (I do ... :-) )

Tiff/BB.....I think a lot of times it's not the kill, but the chase.

I like those questions because it gives me the chance to pass on reassurance and my favorite advice... you don't have to plan to excruciating detail to take a trip to Europe.

You need a passport, money, plane ticket. A packed suitcase and hotel reservation for the first city rounds out the plan. Not everyone enjoys planning or finds the need for intricate itineraries.

My personal favorite:

"What's the weather like (several months from now) in (world-famous city)?

How do otherwise intelligent people online expect that amateurs could predict the weather any more accurately than professionals - who miss frequently?

I too get a kick out of the weather questions and the ubiquitous answers which are equally usless because they mainly come from someone who has visited the area only on vacation as in "I was in ______ last April and it rained every day".

In all fairness Feh, If you've never been to say, Europe, you have no experience to draw on and if you're new to Fodors, you have no idea how to look up the weather or if the ballpark is 40degrees or 60 degrees. And that depends on what you'll pack.

My favorite are the 'what do I wear to fit in' questions and the 'is the subway safe' questions. Now I can understand if you are asking such questions about say, Kandahar, but about San Fransisco? (yes I know San Fransisco has no subway, but you get my point)

All new persons with questions unworthy of the famed Fodor's posters should be banned.

Or at least made fun of on a regulars' thread, right?

My hotel room had some little towels, smaller than a hand towel. What are they for? Cleaning shoes?

How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Reno in a snow storm?

Most of the examples given would be just as bad if asked face-to-face and have nothing to do whether it was on a forum or if the person was a newbie to the forum.

Subject: Urgent help

"I called Southwest to find when June 2006 reservations can be made, but they don't know. Can anyone here help me???"