make new friends/these posts are great!
 

I have posted both questions and advice on this board many times. Recently, I saw a post about some people visiting San Francisco from Great Britian who wanted to find a bakery who would deliver a cake to their hotel as a surprise for their Mum's birthday. I live in SF. So, I offered to pick up the cake and deliver it to their hotel. They took me up on my offer. I want to say that I made the most amazing friends! They invited me to stay and join in the celebration. I know that we will stay in touch by email and we have made friends for life. Just wanted to share this, as the board helps so many people with advice...and who knows....you just might make a new friend in the process!

That's great, Andiamo!
I have tried a few times to meet up with people on my many solo trips to no avail.
Of course all my family and friends say how dangerous it is but I feel no threat with the regulars on this board.
:)

How very cool! How nice of you to take time out for a (supposed) stranger - and make a friend in the process!

How very nice for all of you! That was good of you to offer too, sometimes it seems that people are so reluctant to put themselves out for others anymore.

A lady I know ( a lovely Fodorite) carried a childs bike to Paris on one of her trips because a lady posted on Fodors about wanting it for a Christmas gift for her little girl. They are now friends.
I have done no favors :D but I am happy to say that I have several friends from Fodors who I count as real life friends ((L))

Well, TTP, there are a few posters on this board that you probably wouldn't try to meet in person, I bet :-)

But, I agree. The type of people that spend time on this board aren't the kind that stalk in chat rooms. I hope we aren't both wrong.

As strange as it seems, I think if I had car trouble in NC or Jax (now Portland) I could call on bonniebroad or Scarlett to say..."Starrsville here, can you help me out?" Of course, I don't know how to call them, but I still feel as if there is almost a support system out there for us.

Okay, someone is going to blast me and tell me I'm delusional and weird. But, I don't care.

Scarlett, I was typing as you were posting.

starrsville, If you are delusional or weird, then we will probably get along fine :D
Yes, you could call me :D Pup would be thrilled to have someone else to visit with ((&))

The stalker types hide, they are only bigshots online, they don't want to show their faces, so I would not worry about ever meeting one of them!

It's fun to do things like that adiamo. I've made some nice friends here too...a few I've met in person.

I was thinking about the bike incident too when I read this, Scarlett. I never could find the report though after she delivered it! That was the sweetest thing.

As far as stalkers...there was a serious one but I think we may finally be rid of him. I did meet him in person prior to realizing what he was all about--harmless, but worse than a chigger online! :D Starrsville: the Berry Fizz worked!! Yippee...I'm free. Thank you for your help and for taking the time to google that--you've got a friend you can call in San Antonio too. :)

OO here's a link to Croque Madame's thread about the bike: http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...Text=Dora+bike

There are many wonderful people on this forum (they far outweight the kooks & dingbats IMO). I'd help a fellow Fodorite if I could.

Glad you had such a positive experience andiamo. I'm sure your kindness was very much appreciated too! Trish :)

andiamo, what a nice gesture on your part! I'm glad it worked out so well for both parties.

I agree that there are some wonderful people to befriend on this board, as well as others.

I have also posted on cruisecritic.com prior to a cruise & chatted with some families online. We took a chance & met on the ship & everyone turned out to be really nice.

I have never done this on any other trips (although I did attend 1 NYC GTG), but I would not be adverse to it.

LOL!

There are quite a few people on this board I would like to meet but always miss the Fodorite GTGs. I think I was in NYC for the South Florida GTG and I'll be in South Florida for the NYC/NJ GTG.

Sigh, I zig when everyone else zags.

Trish, Thank you SO much for finding that thread for me! I'd looked before, unsuccessfully. It is so heartwarming--brought tears to my eyes when Croque Madame described Maelia's reaction to finding the Dora pillow doll. Sweet people--andiamo and Croque Madame, my guess is that you two got more out of it even than did the recipients of your generosity.

How come I havn't been invited to a GTG yet?

ahhnold, Please come to our GTG on Saturday in Weehawken, NJ. The thread has been up for months, but consider this your very own personal invite. :) We will be delighted to meet you. Maybe your presence will even get Ryan to come out!

Excellent! I"ll be the one wearing the hat that reads "happiness is being a Republican".

Awesome! See you Saturday.

Just topped the thread on the Europe board

Andiamo,

You are awesome! Kudos to you and congrats on meeting friends for life!

always willing to help and meet fellow long island/nyc fodorites!

I'd go out of my way to be at a get together and meet you all, but especially to have Ryan and ahhnold together!

NJ/NY GTG is this Saturday! Aahnold claims he's coming with cap on! All are welcome! Trish

Frankie,
I'm not sure if I should be offended or thanking you for a compliment.

All right, I need to fess up. I'm sorry, but I can't make it due to the fact that I live in BOSTON. I appreciate the invite.

One more thing I need to fess up, I don't own a hat that reads "Happines is being a Republican. I'm a constitutionalist anyway.

Trish,
Meant to say, thanks for the personal invite to the GTG. Unfortunately, prior commitments will prevent me from attending.

I'm sure it will be a great success.

Hello andiamo, I remember the thread regarding the birthday cake and your offer to deliver it. I remember at that time thinking that was so nice of you. How wonderful the British family and you have become friends.

I was invited by OneWandering Jew to fly to Atlanta (from CA) in April. I accepted and I have to say I have never been with a more delightful and thoughtful couple. OWJ and I took a 3 day trip to Charleston and it was such a wonderful time. We have become very close friends.

And some others here have become IMO "real life" friends also. In fact next Tuesday Marilyn and I are meeting in SF to spend the day together.

There are a lot of beautiful people on Fodor's. I think it is obvious there are a few one would not want to meet of course. But that is true in any situation.

Thanks for sharing your story andiamo.

Ryan, Possilbly because he has seen our heated debates.

Ahhnold,
Among the many reasons I left the Republican Party is the infiltration of people who would fail to get the irony of owning a hat that says "happines is being a Republican."

One reason I will never join the democratic party is it is full of people who think a hat actually "SAYS" something.

Thank you, Ahhnold in more ways than I think you even realize.

OK. That is enough. This started off as fun and games that could get ugly real quick for no reason.

Have a good day,Ryan;-)

Ahhnold,
Anytime you'd like to debate politics I'm happy to do so off-line. I won't bore everyone here with our little tête-à-tête.

I can be reached at [email protected].

My endocrinologist advised me against debating politics any longer, notice the sarcastic approach to the GTG. But when I get the urge and since I refuse to debate politics with Republicans, I will take you up on that offer.

Now back to business! I am lucky enough to have made several friends from Fodors. Some I've met in person, others only through correspondence, but both are equally precious.

This is a good place to say that we're having a get together in the Midwest. Next month, June 18, Saturday at noon at the Brugge Brewpub in Indianapolis. We have a nice little group going (some are driving at least two hours to meet up!) but we'd love to have more...check the Europe board for extra details. :d

ahhnold, my invite to the GTG was a genuine one...even though you fished for it. We have about 19 people coming on Saturday...some from as far away as Kentucky & Indiana! Last time we had Fodorites from South Africa in attendance! Living in Boston should not be a deterrent to coming to a GTG!

Ryan, sorry you can't make it. Many of us would enjoy your company. :)

Trish

Hi Andiamo,

What a VERY kind thing to do, I can only imagine how grateful the family was to have you go out of your way like that!

I think it is not always easy to make friends here, some are kind, others are not. There has been moments when I feel am I not thick skinned enough to read all that I do on this board, ha.

However, with everything in life, there is good and bad. And many do have a kind word, good advice or in your case go out of their way to be cordial and polite.

I have actually considered changing my screen name to 'MeanPeopleSuck' ha, saw that on a bumper sticker once, and thought it delightful, but then I can't have "suck" in my name, even a screen name ha, too ill-mannered for me. But it says alot.

For all of you who are kind, answer each other's posts as YOU would want to be answered, well done, and there are many of you out there. You would be the ones delivering the birthday cakes like Andiamo.

:) :) :) :) :) :)
A chorus line of smiles for the little acts of kindness that inspire us every day.

And for those of you who don't know me, Hi, I'm Tiff, I have been here for three years giving and receiving advice, but have been here alot more over the last six weeks as I am recovering my little Sophie puppy for she had surgery on her two back legs! ((&)) (Was able to plan our entire trip to Italy with my recovering Soph in my lap, ha.)

Happy travels and best wishes, T. & Soph

Many thanks,Trish. My weekends belong to my wife and kids. Some other time.

Tiff, what's wrong with pups legs?
My dog's back legs has lost muscle mass and he can bearly stand.

well, darn would've loved the "trip report" on Ryan and Ahhnold together, but maybe it's all for the best :)! I'm sure it will be more peaceful.
(Ryan, that was a compliment :). You are a much better advocate than I!)

OOPS! barely!!!(he does look like a little bear.