gyppielou

Is it me or are there really only about 100 pretty well travelled people on this board giving advice to visitors. I'm starting to feel like an innkeeper here! Granted, doesn't make it a bad thing. I just remember when concierge.com was cool and I'd hate this place get stale like that. Now I've dated myself and acted negative. Bad gyppie bad.

JohnD

Much appreciate the "innkeepers", sometimes though you get what you pay for!

jacketwatch

Seems to me the cruise forum is pretty stagnant.

Leelani

Am new to this forum, but have observed for a few weeks. I think many people don't post because they're afraid that if they express themselves poorly or if they should even slightly mis-state a fact, some of the trolling types will be flaming them. I notice too that some are territorial about their "areas". They like to write about that place and are dismissive about anyone else that posts on that spot. That could be the bigger part of the problem.

jbmonts

leelani
I'm new to the forum to and I totally agree with you. People ask such innocent questions and get ripped to pieces for them. Some posters are generally helpful,kind, witty and informative, others are snide, catty and seem equally knowledgeable but we get lost in their cynicism. For the most part I enjoy the discussions, I just don't like the poster banging.

Meesthare

I understand why people who are relatively new to this forum might see it as described by the above two posters. However, perhaps it would be helpful to know that those of us who have been around for a while have got to know some regular posters who, while sounding "innocent," are actually trying to stir up conflict with provocative posts. They do get jumped on pretty quickly, it's true. It's also sometimes a delicate matter to suggest to newbies that they do a little research on the board before asking a very general question which might have been answered several times over already. People become offended by what sounds like a rebuff but probably isn't intended that way. I guess one of the problems with posts, as with e-mail, is that there is no tone of voice or facial expression that might soften or modify a comment that sounds/looks more harsh than it should be. I must say I find this to be a helpful, friendly, and informative forum, and at times when I've been corrected or disagreed with, it has been expressed appropriately.

bonniebroad

Leelani, you make some very good points. The huge majority of posters here are great, but a couple of snipers, who just wait for an opportunity, can make some people very uncomfortable about posting.

Jayne1973

Overall, I've received some wonderful travel information from posting questions here. The posts I've most appreciated were specific route advice and suggestions for restaurants or interesting side trips. It seems important to be very specific when asking a question in order to get the answers you are looking for.
Like any other type of advice, I think you have to take what you like and toss the rest.

jacketwatch

Agree with Bonnie. For the most part posters are pretty cool. However there are the "others" who are here for a different purpose and unfortunately some will be discouraged by their antics. Just forget about this group and keep posting. Most people are friendly. Interestingly I participate on an on line watch forum and we decided to go to a password protected scheme to neutralize the trollers out there. Well it has worked like a charm. The site is growing and posts are soaring because we know the hassle of dealing with the little men under bridges has been 99% eliminated. Too bad Fodors can't do that too. This site would improve dramatically in both # and quality of posts IMHO.

audra

I love this forum but it sometimes exudes an elitist attitude. This has been noted before by others so I'm not alone in this perception.

For example its not enough to write that a sundress and linen jacket are appropriate for a certain restaurant, or a backpack is a good idea, but some posters make a point of saying they wear or carry *Prada*. Most of us couldn't care less what brand or designer is worn or carried. In fact most of us who can afford to, don't *need* to say it. Perhaps it's a 'keeping up with the Jones' attitude, cyber style. Also, reommendations for lodging seem especially directed to the more luxurious. Some choose to sleep cheap, especially if sleeping is all they're doing.

Perhaps people don't realize that this is an extremely diverse forum and some lurkers may be put off by an elitist attitude. It is quite possible that people *can* afford the high end of travel and wardrobe and yet choose *not* to for various reasons. To each his own.

Perhaps there are only 100 people on this forum, each having several screen names. Whatever. It's simply a wonderful, yet faceless, nameless vehicle for retrieving travel information.

atilla

Hey Audra,
I could not agree more, I know the exact "Prada" post you are referring to and that one really got under my skin too. It does sound elitist and pretentious, who needs that? I personally think it comes down to self-esteem.

Fortunately there are many more people on this forum who do not flaunt what they have and make a point of giving wise, practical advice.

bugswife1

audra-i understand totally what you are saying about the 'Prada' & 'Tumi or die' bunch. i don't want a bag that will out live me--i will be bored with it before it dies. actually i just chucked the backpack and got one of those travel vests with a million pockets. love it. but, i digress.....

i don't travel cheaply. ever. if i am leaving home i want to be as comfortable in a strange bed as possible. nothing can ruin my trip faster than returning from an exhausting day to a so-so room. but that is just me.

if you find that you are only getting advise that you can't afford to follow, be more specific in your question. Give a price range. Tell us what is important to you--large bathroom, view, air conditioning. You will get much better, on target responses.

TxTravelPro

I usually try to stay away from the "flaming" posts. I was flamed a few times on the Europe board because people make too many assumptions.
I am in the travel industry. I travel almost every week on the company dollar.
I stay in 4/5 star hotels most of the time but pay very little because I am usually working with the hotel or hotel group. I don't like to eat out, so I ask where the gourmet grocery stores are... I do not like to send out laundry, so I may ask where a laundromat is... In general, I am a thrifty person. I do not travel as a tourist and I spend considerable time in my room. I take a subway before a cab... all of this even though I may be staying in a 500.00 a night hotel.
I've been in London the last week and guess what... I shipped special food and my favorite flavored water from the US! OMG!
This tends to bother quite a few people on this board.
But because I travel so much, I want, no I need some of the familiarity of home to be accessible. I do not like "making do" and I do not want to search all over the town for something very specific that I consume every day.
Should I always have to explain that I am on a special diet? Should I always have to explain that I am not paying 500/night? I think not.
If I ask where a good gourmet grocery store is, why respond with something like "I hate people that spend 500/night on a hotel and then won't spend a penny on food."
I asked where a Whole Foods was in CA and I get the "Whole Paycheck" speech. I try to respond only when I have something of value to add to the conversation.
Oh, and also, my suggestions reflect my own preferences. I have had many people say I was crazy to recommend something because it is a "Chain".
Oh well... I guess it takes all kinds.
But remember that there are all kinds of travelers, too.

Rosemary1

Gyppie you're a great innkeeper!

I've been using Fodors long before registration and after. I have found it to be very helpful and interesting and I've learned a great deal and have begun travelling extensively in the last 4 years.

I've learned about Europe, Canada, the USA, tons of info on cruising which I had not done prior to 5 years ago and owe a great deal to Fodors for the advice and tips I've learned thusfar.

I have actually found other websites that I actually visit more often recently.

I have found the boards here rather stale and lacking any true depth in recent months. Especially the US and Cruising boards. We're planning our first trip to Europe in a month and I have found extensive information on the Europe boards which I didn't spend much time with in the past.

I'm finding that I spend about 5 minutes a day on the US and Cruise boards now and much more time on the Europe boards.

I think it's partly because we're going to Europe and partly because I've grown a little board "pun intended" on the other sides as it become so "catty" and "clique".

I'm still flabergasted that over 125 or so people responded about Egrets in somebody's yard. Who gives a rat's.....?

I also agree with other posters that the people keeping up with the Jones' is a part of society I will not tolerate here or anywhere else in my life, bores me to tears!

If it has indeed become a "Fodors Family" I'm afraid it has become a little too dysfunctional for my tastes.

I will continue to use Fodors to some degree in the future, but I definitely won't be spending a great deal of time here in the future, like I once had in the past.

Let it be said that this is a fine place to learn about new places to visit and share experiences which I have done over the years to people asking about certain places I have visited. That has been a pleasure, as I have had many laughs here too, I believe it's just getting old like some things inevitably do.

Rosemary1

Correction: The Egrets thread is up to 183 now. Unbelievable.

mlarson

I agree about not posting. I have intentionally not posted my opinion on several occasions because I've seen some people get ripped. The one that comes to my mind is the lady who complained about a restaurant that didn't hold their reservations and they were only 5 minutes late. They had small children with them and had a long drive back to hotel hungry! I think they were on the Big Island. Anyway, several people ripped her I felt very unfairly and made rude comments. I felt sorry for her. But, overall, this site is very helpful and I've got to converse with several NICE and HELPFUL people. I do enjoy reading all the different posts and opinions. Like life itself, you expose yourself to as much information as possible so you can try and make the best decision you can with what you know. As far as opinions, everyone has one, you just have to weed out what you feel is best for you personally.

travelinwifey

I say bring back the non registration days. The boards were soooooo much funnier and I assume many new viewers turn away because they don't want to register. This site has been stale to me since the registration, but it's still the best place to get knowledgeable answers regarding travel.

elle

Just an observation: it's much easier and cheaper to wear Prada in cyberspace than it is in real life.

BTW, I loved the egrets thread. Found it very informative and entertaining.

gyppielou

Yes, the days when trolls were allowed to raom the countryside freely...ahhhh I remember it well. It was a simpler time. And yes many were good trolls, making mischeif, and entertaining us for a moment in our daily routines. O course some trolls deserved to be squashed!

Leona

Rosemary1,

I just rolled through the "Egrets" thread. It looks like the last 100 or so responses evolved into a dialog among 3 or 4 Fodorites who have apparently been posting on this site for years. Perhaps they haven't traveled in a while and find the need to digress to simply keep in touch with each other.

I have found that many of the regular posters are very opinionated and it's often difficult to get through that to extrapolate the information you've requested. Sometimes it's not worth it, but more often, it is.