spiro, read the OP again. You totally missed the point. You say it "takes time to learn". Well, duh. How can someone learn without someone explaining it? I personally don't see even a hint of rudeness or lack of tact in the OP. It sounds to me like good advice, but then I don't have a chip on my shoulder, maybe some do. As I said, I think some people would be amused watching people struggle rather than help them out. If that's your idea of fun, more power to you, and in that case I see why you'd be offended at anyone offering suggestions to others to make the posts more effective.

But you're right about at least one post here being nothing but a complaint. It's the post right before this one. Nothing but a complaint. No suggestion of how to make it better, just a complaint that it doesn't belong here (and no logical suggestion of where it would belong) and a lot of whining about it -- unlike the OP which clearly was a listing of suggestions for how to improve posts.

In my opinion there's a big difference between offering suggestions of how to post or how to make the forum work for you, and just posting a long "whine" of complaint about another post or poster. The original post here was the former -- your last post was the latter.

You said it!
But I don't think that people who answer questions that are non specific like, "We're going to ____ what should we do?" Have the patience of a saint. I think they just like to put forth their opinions.

The only sensible answer to these questions is another question.

<< The people who do no or little research, do not even search this board for past topics on the exact same issue. aduchamp1 >>


Lsky - my earlier point was that if a poster did some homework first (a couple of searches, read relevant trip reports, etc.), it would be much easier and productive for people to give relevant and succinct answers to their questions. I, personally, don't respond to the very vague questions because I don't have the time to or interest in doing so. Maybe the vast majority of vague posts are by people who aren't familiar with using this board, but sometimes I think some of those totally vague questions are a result of a bit of laziness. I certainly can't prove this, but why not use this thread to familarise everyone with a better way of getting the information they desire? Giving advice on this topic should be no different than passing along any other travel advice.

Has this thread become controversial? I originally felt that it was a common sense observation and I still do.

Not to change the subject but...

I'm going on a trip. I need suggestions what to see, where to stay, and where to eat. Only the best suggestions, please

Centralparkgirl, You're exactly right, people ask those vague questions because they are lazy.
But no one is helping them, really, by answering them because they end up taking someone else's idea of a vacation.

If they did their own research they would find something that uniquely interests them.

There are people who go through life looking only for what other people have pre-approved . What a grand waste of time. I suppose they get the answers and the vacations they deserve.

And then there are the ones who say, “where can I go that is off the beaten path?” What a ridiculous request. Off the beaten path would mean that a person has a unique interest, and I fear, that that person has none.

Neo,
If you read back through this post, I am not the only one that found the OP to be a complaint. Even those that agree with the op, have things to say like "here's another pet peeve". One response to a post I made was "you did not respond to nytraveler's original complaint"

Obviously you and I are reading the OP differently and we could argue this forever. This will be my last post on this subject.

BarryK - head north. Stay in the new boutique hotel that we just love. Tell Freddy, the concierge that you're our friend. Make reservations immediately, but remember that a jacket and tie aren't required. As far as what to see - what are your interests? A little specificity would help.

spirobulldog -

I don't think you understand the meaning of the word "tact". There is nothing tactless in the original post. It is simply a straightforward comment, along with suggestions on how people can get better answers to their questions. It does not even refer to any specific person (and without that refrence I don;t see how a comment can be tactless) - but to a type of post.

If giving people suggestions on how to get more/better info when they're floundering is "tactless" - then ever making any suggestion is "tactless".

There is no rude language, no sarcasm, no abuse of any kind.
Just an attempt to point out to people how to obtain more useful answers.

Separately, I'm not aware of any rules that you can never write anythig that someone might find "tactless". Some people are incredibly sensitive- and feel that anyhting they disagree with is tactless or abusive - even if it doesn't refer to them - or anyone.

IMO, great topic.

and to add another one to the list:
when people ask, "where should I go this [input season/holiday here]." without listing any specifics.

Resolved: Don't answer a question that shows a total lack of work or initiative on the part of the OP. Do suggest that they do some reading and come back with more reasonable questions.

Spoon feeding these OPs just perpetuates the problem.

good point jed. a related problem to what you bring up is when people keep commenting on an post when the OP never comes back.

My main problem with hotel questions is that if someone says "I want a good hotel - my budget is 75 Euros per night" (or whatever number), the hotel you can get will vary hugely by demand, hotel promotions, seasons, etc. Just like airfares, hotel prices are hugely variable depending when and how they are booked and under what terms.

Here is one example:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...7&tid=35168339

Asking for "Great Value". No exact dates, no budget = very little help received.

wow rkkwan. he doesnt even respond to the specific questions you're asking him on that thread.

"Spoon feeding these OPs just perpetuates the problem"

Yeah, but if we don't then we can't complain about them. (@)

I apologise on behalf of all the posters who dare to ask unspecific stupid questions and waste the obviously superior 'fodorites' time untill we have read all the previous posts and all the travel books first.

Who said "superior"? It just makes sense coldplay to have an idea of what you want before letting someone else plan your trip. Maybe these folks just have a lot more time and money to spend then I do so it doesn't matter what they do on vacation.
Maybe they just want to be able to say, "I went there".
That's fine.

nytraveler
thanks for your thoughts, they are very specific and helpful. it is your opinion and i don't see why anyone would object - i am always personally glad to hear feedback. i can take what is useful and what i don't agree with, fine. i would never critise someone for offering helpful advice.

JayZee, seriously, have you read any of the hundreds of helpful posts nytraveler has made -- I'm sure many a traveler to NY has had a better, easier, more productive and generally more pleasant trip because of her. What is wrong with suggesting that people be more specific in their posts?

Author: JayZee
Date: 11/28/2008, 01:10 am

nytraveler - So why do you respond if it is a 'waste of your time - and VERY frustrating'? Just go away...Fodor's does NOT need you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Wow, some bitter people here respond that trying to help new posters is unwarranted and an attempt to "own" the board. So some of those same bitter people decide for themselves whom Fodors "does NOT need"? Talk about "ownership!

And why does nytraveler respond if she thinks its a waste of her time? Maybe because she CARES about helping people and CARES about making Fodors work better. (A click on her name will show you how many detailed helpful answers she gives). Now, do you care to tell us why you bothered to respond to this entire thing with your bitter, snarky comments, JayZee?

And do you mind telling us why you think it's "clever" to post NASTY remarks like this several times? Shall we take a vote on the type of poster that Fodors really does NOT need?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Author: JayZee
Date: 11/28/2008, 01:28 am

Ask nytraverler, she'll get back to you on anything Great.