I have a question........why doesn't anyone use their real email addresses on these posts? Should I not be using mine, either?

Some of us have set up email accounts with special servers, like yahoo, with an email address people can send information to, but which can be deleted or changed with no cost. I did this for three reasons. First, I didn't want to get on any junk mail lists and I was afraid that would happen if my email address was out there. Second, I didn't want people figuring out who I was, where I lived, etc, particularly re vacation planning. Third, there are a lot of loony tunes on public boards, and I view my main email address as almost as personal as my phone number.

I don't always use my yahoo address, either, as sometimes what I write is not directly related to travel. I only use my yahoo address for the very specific travel questions. I use other addresses when I contribute to silly, troll type posts. And I do that for amusement.

I don't mean to imply this is a troll post, by the way. In fact, I raised a similar question a few months ago, and established my yahoo address thereafter. I actually have gotten helpful information for travel off the board at my yahoo address, from board postings.

A handful of weirdos who occasionally drop in here have been known to torment people who use their actual e-mail addresses.
Also, spammers will occasionally start sending junk to you if you use your real e-mail address.

Most longtimers here seldom use real e-mails.

Minor point, but Hotmail and Yahoo accounts are "real." In fact, I prefer them because the'll stay with you when you change ISP's and can access them from anywhere in the world.

Spam is a definite downside. I use this address only for message boards, and receive over a hundred spam messages per day. It takes a couple of minutes to scan and delete them, but occasionally someone will send a very good, very specific recommendation which he/she might not want to post to everyone.

Been posting here four years. Real email account. No problems. Only received real inquiries from nice people.

Whatever the reason, there are good reasons to at least use a name, if not a valid e-mail address. "xxx" is positively ridiculous and does not result in valuable recommendations or advice. Who, in the know, full of valuable tips and recommendations, all gathered as the result of years of expense and experience, is gong to impart same on anyone that anonymous??? And, who can't be bothered to do any web research whatseove, or obviously hasn't even perused the information relative to their destination on THIS website And,there's a really good reason to post a valid e-mail address. True veterans know better than to "give up" hidden gems on a public forum, lest they be overrun with the ungrateful. There are a multitude of places to stay and dine not discovered or mentioned in the tour guide you'd never know about and aren't likely to discover on your own. But, many experienced travelers may just e-mail you privately. They're willing to share - just not to the anonymous, "Tell me", impolite, lazy, folks.

Thank you, Grace. Couldn't have said it better myself. For me, those "hidden gems" are best part of travel.

And the other "up" side is that sometimes you can actually get to know people and strike up a friendship. One day Kal's family and ours are actually going to meet, but until then we just e-mail and are long-distance buddies.

Here's another vote for real email. This is my secondary address, but I haven't had a problem with spam with this or my primary.

I believe a real email address establishes your credibility. And has been pointed out, leaves you available to get hints that might otherwise not get offered.

There are way to many nuts to put out my real address.

Hi Bob & others who provided real email addresses!!

Since you've, been lacking promotional email, I've taken the time to add you to our mailing list. I personally select the top 100 out of 5000 promotional emails related to travel. You can look forward to receiving your 100 promotional emails per day within the week.

There's your proof as to why I don't use a real address!!

I used my real address on this board once and a few days later, I got a bunch of porn stuff in my box. I have used the same address for four years and have never had this happen before, so I am guessing that it was a result of my posting. So is this makes my travel info less credible, so be it. I know better...and haven't gotten any more porn stuff, which is a good thing.

So, those of us who do not post using our "real" e-mail addresses don't "really" travel? And, some will only share travel info with those who post using "real" e-mail addresses because they do not share with anonymous travelers. That is so silly and shallow. You're right, I don't use a "real" e-mail address but I DO travel, and I DO share travel knowledge with others, regardless of their e-mail address. But, I do agree with Grace on one point - I don't give away my best secrets on this site, but I do share them on an individual basis.

I am pretty cautious about posting my real email address. When I have, I have been inundated with private requests for information. In some cases, this has been kind of fun and I have made some great friends. But in other cases, I have taken the time to reply at length and not even gotten a thank you.

I do post it on occasion when I know that I can give some more detailed information. But for the most part, I try to just post some information and then I avoid the private requests.

I use an "almost" real eddress, by appending an "X" onto it. I've received useful info and valid inquiries by doing it this way, yet it will foil the automated spam harvesters. I use a yahoo account because if spam gets bad, I can merely "walk away" from the account being spammed, and start a new one. (remove x in my eddress to reply)

Very smart! Thanks for the tip.

I use my email address and have never received any spam. I didn't use it this time, though because of those knuckleheads out there who may decide to start spamming me simply because I said I don't get any from this board.

People who use their real email addresses are naive. And here's a shocker Grace - those of us who post under pseudonymns give advice that's just as valuable as those who don't.

XXX