How many questions are too many?
 

I've noticed over the past several weeks, that some people on this forum ask numerous individual questions relating to their planned trip. As an example, I counted 13 separate questions by the same author over the past 2 weeks, each relating to one small aspect of his/her planned vacation. <BR> <BR>It's my opinion that the author should spend the time to think out his/her questions and group as many as possible relating to a planned trip. No one would mind several questions but to expect answers to 13 questions seems inconsiderate of other peoples time. I've also noticed there is never an acknowledgement to any of the responses, only requests for more information. <BR> <BR>We all like to get as much information as possible about our destinations, but planning every single aspect of a vacation seems a bit much. Additionally, some homework of our own, via the web, travel guides, etc. might be helpful. <BR> <BR>Just my opinion. <BR> <BR>Other opinons are welcomed.

What's really the harm here? No one has to take the time to answer if they don't have the time. And anyway a lot of us "lurk" reading answers to other people's queries -- just for the education. I thought that was the point of public Q&A. Even if you think the questioner could have done more of his/her own homework, somebody else may be benefitting from the exchange. <BR> <BR>I hope this doesn't start one of those threads where everyone criticizes how everyone else uses the forum. It always brings out the argumentative. <BR>

Of course it will start that kind of thread , why else did you respond to this? I would be embarressed to ask many of the questions posted on this board. What are the "must sees" in NYC , DC ,SF, the USA? But unlike the real world where someone might actually accost you on the street at gun point , demand all your money and force you to describe in excruciating detail all the "must see must do" in your neighborhood ,you are free here to just take what you need and leave the rest and walk on by. It would be nice if people actually did some research so they could ask worth while questions and included enough information about their personal likes , interests ,amount they have to spend etc. to allow for meaningful answers. But what are you going to do? It often strikes me that this is not so much a forum for people to ask questions as much as it is a place for people who like to give answers. And so it goes.

"One Man" is probably referring to my questions about our upcoming New York trip. I know a couple of times I've inadvertently, by hitting the wrong key, sent a question twice. I know of no way to erase or delete a question once it is sent. Perhaps someone can help me with this. <BR> <BR>As for researching on my own, I've been reading a dozen different tour books on New York, and my questions come up as I go along. It's amazing how few of these tour books give the same advice/review on a paraticular site/restaurant, etc. Not living in New York, I don't know what to believe. <BR> <BR>I appreciate greatly the advice from those who know the city and will steer me clear of rip offs and tourist traps, and help me to show my family meaningful and interesting aspects of NYC. <BR> <BR>As for acknowledging receipt of information, I have e-mailed my thanks to a few people who've given me detailed information. If I have been remiss in not acknowledging all responses, I apologize. <BR> <BR>I do try to return the favour in kind, by going to forums that I can provide answers to such as Toronto and Cruises. <BR> <BR>My understanding of how this forum works is in agreement with what others have said -- no one has to answer me -- they can just ignore my question(s), though I hope, if they have some information for me, they will pass it on.

OneMansOpinion is just another of these people that feel that they need to regulate this forum. Apparently they believe that this forum is their own personal domain. They alone have the right to regulate it. <BR> <BR>That is pure hogwash. This is the internet and belongs to everybody. It they don't like it than tough. Nobody forces them to read the postings. <BR> <BR>Keep on posting and just ignore these people that feel they have to tell others what to do. I fully realize that often more questions come up when you are planning a trip.

I agree -- when planning a trip it's so exciting to hear from others who've experienced it and difficult to ask all questions at one time . . . yes we may ask lots of questions . . but I've always believed that one can't ask too many questions and that no question is a dumb question if you don't know the answer. Post away . . . (and lighten up folks).

Actually, a friend of mine used to tell his class, "There is such a thing as a stupid question. But you should still ask them, because if you need to know, you need to know." <BR>Anyway, even if there were a way of enforcing the "best" way of posting questions, how would we decide what the best way is? Bite-sized, very specific questions posted separately are probably easier for later arrivals to the forum who are told to search. That way, you only pull out the threads about hotels or restaurants or whatever. People looking for a trip to emulate probably would be happier with everything in one question. <BR>JM, ask away, and be sure to post a trip report when you get back! Have a good time.

The only dumb question is the unasked question.

Travel has been a passion of mine for 38 years, and I also love to give people advice on things (I hope!) I know about. Because I try not to be a bore and tell people about travels they have no interest hearing about, I've long felt a sense of frustration at not being able to share my excitement and experience in this area. These forums are almost a form of therapy for me, in being able to share what I've learned. <BR> <BR>If someone asks 100 questions about a visit, I have no qualms about answering all 100 of them. If I DID have qualms, I would simply ignore the post or state I prefer not to give an opinion. OneMan needs to learn a simple fact about bulletin boards -- if you think someone is posting too much, just ignore the poster. To quote Thomas Jefferson: "It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Ilisa, you must be a very nice docent--you mean no one has ever asked a dumb question? Wow.

Ok, so maybe the question about when the last time the space shuttle landed on the moon was a bit dumb, but hey, I can't fault a person if they live in a cave.

"One Man" is concerned about his time being taken up by too many questions from one author. I would think it takes a second or two to bypass a query, but I wonder how long it took "One Man" to research and tally up how many questions over the last two weeks came from one person?

While I do think people should also do some planning on their own, there is no limit as far as I am concerned. If you don't want to read a question or respond to it, just pass it by. Takes a split second.

Dan: Amen!

Thanks everyone....question #14 sure to be coming up in the near future!! <BR> <BR>JM

I think that one of the points this poster was trying to make was that we shouldn't rely on other people's opinions to make every last decision for us from the time we turn the key in the door leaving home, to the time we turn the key in the door returning home. Some aspects of a vacation should be spontaneous and unexpected, which always makes for a lot more fun.

I think a series of short questions are easier than a list of questions. I've no problem with people posted multiple queries, unless it's the same question.

I wish Fodors would point out to people that the search is merely a search, and that there's not separate forums for each search, but only one large USA forum, as I'm sure it's the &quot;newbies&quot; who post such vague titles as &quot;Can I take the Train?&quot; or &quot;what hotel&quot; Another common one that drives me crazy, but I just ignore them (what a novel way to save time!) are the &quot;What is the Best ...&quot; questions. &quot;Best&quot; means different things according to the values of the traveler, and it seems the writer would be better off to state some of their requirements/likes/dislikes, and ask &quot;What would you recommend?&quot;.

I think posts from 1999 should be left in the dustbin of the archives.

Personally, I prefer a list of questions in one post rather than several posts just because it is easier for me to answer them all at once plus it gives me a better vision and idea of what they really want to know. I don't mind how many questions people ask (though the longer I am on here sometimes I wish they would do a bit of research first to see if their question has already been answered), I'll just answer those I know and hope others fill in the gaps.

This is too funny! I was reading this post and thought to myself that this sounds like the complaint someone made about me several years ago - and lo and behold it's the very same one!! The original post is four years old! Well, here I am about to embark on another trip to New York next month - but hey, guess what - I've been back to NYC twice since 1999, WITHOUT ASKING MORE QUESTIONS. I've tried to be good, really I have......I mean, it's not like questions intrusively come via a pop up window on your screen - ignore them or answer them at your discretion.