Question about Fodors GTG - did it ruin your online experience to meet people in person.
Mar 9th, 2006, 04:37 PM
#22
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I've been to a few GTG's now and always had a good time. Never regretted meeting anyone. They've all more than outshone their online personalities.
Wacko's? A previous poster is correct. The truly incoherent, off-base ones do not come to GTG's. If you want to lose a kidney, cruise the sex forums. Travel people? You'll need to fear for your mind. They'll wring your little pea-pickin' brain dry of every travel story you have. Then they'll dig for more! They just want to know your favorite whatever, where ever it is. Weird.
Well except for Budman. Who ironically vints his own wine. Budman? What's wrong with Wineman?
And still waiting to meet Kal.
Then there's that tpatricco. Jeez! She shows up with a bottle of Nouilly-Prat red vermouth for me since I can't find it at a local liquor store. Right then and there I knew she was "out there."
Wacko's? A previous poster is correct. The truly incoherent, off-base ones do not come to GTG's. If you want to lose a kidney, cruise the sex forums. Travel people? You'll need to fear for your mind. They'll wring your little pea-pickin' brain dry of every travel story you have. Then they'll dig for more! They just want to know your favorite whatever, where ever it is. Weird.
Well except for Budman. Who ironically vints his own wine. Budman? What's wrong with Wineman?
And still waiting to meet Kal.
Then there's that tpatricco. Jeez! She shows up with a bottle of Nouilly-Prat red vermouth for me since I can't find it at a local liquor store. Right then and there I knew she was "out there."
Mar 9th, 2006, 05:22 PM
#25
Lets see...my first GTG in Honolulu introduced me to
-a visitor from NJ,
-the mother of my daughter's clasmate,
-the father of her dance class TA,
-a realtor I've known for years, and -the neighbor of my coworker!
Not only were they NOT axe murderers, but I pretty much knew them indirectly already.
Since then, I've gone to four more dinner or lunch GTGs- and one phone STG-, meeting a total of 26 more Fodorites, including the infamous Kal and Mrs Kal!
Had fun at all of them, and my liver is very much intact. I might have been more hesitant to participate if it was a one on one meeting in a private place, but we always meet in public spots. After all, I travel to weird places, trusting unkown (but paid) locals to drive me around, and speak with strangers while travelling as often as I can afford it!
Maybe if I liked to get in arguments it might inhibit me, but I find I can disagree with other's travel advice- I like the Peninsula in Bangkok and hate Riverplace in Portland!- without having to worry about someone coming after me.
Come to the next one, Gail!
-a visitor from NJ,
-the mother of my daughter's clasmate,
-the father of her dance class TA,
-a realtor I've known for years, and -the neighbor of my coworker!
Not only were they NOT axe murderers, but I pretty much knew them indirectly already.
Since then, I've gone to four more dinner or lunch GTGs- and one phone STG-, meeting a total of 26 more Fodorites, including the infamous Kal and Mrs Kal!
Had fun at all of them, and my liver is very much intact. I might have been more hesitant to participate if it was a one on one meeting in a private place, but we always meet in public spots. After all, I travel to weird places, trusting unkown (but paid) locals to drive me around, and speak with strangers while travelling as often as I can afford it!
Maybe if I liked to get in arguments it might inhibit me, but I find I can disagree with other's travel advice- I like the Peninsula in Bangkok and hate Riverplace in Portland!- without having to worry about someone coming after me.
Come to the next one, Gail!
Mar 9th, 2006, 06:03 PM
#28
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Gail this was a great post !! It is so funny to hear similar stories....I was visiting my daughter in NYC one weekend when there was a Fodors GTG not far from her (in NJ I think) and I said to her oh, maybe I'll go - I like what some of the people going post about and it would be nice to meet them - and she said (24) 'Oh, mom you can't - how embarassing! that's so geeky, plus it could be dangerous" and my son said "it's bad enough you are on this posting board!" I laughed so hard ...... oooh, the tables they are a turning..... BUT....
they didn't mind when our Switzerland trip turned out so great b/c of fodorite assistance....and
my son didn't mind when he couldn't find lodging in Zurich one night on his way home from Germany and who figured it out for him? Fodorites. Suddenly not such a bad thing.....
I've seen some of the photos when they post them and everyone seems to be having one heck of a time ! I hope someday I can join in -
they didn't mind when our Switzerland trip turned out so great b/c of fodorite assistance....and
my son didn't mind when he couldn't find lodging in Zurich one night on his way home from Germany and who figured it out for him? Fodorites. Suddenly not such a bad thing.....
I've seen some of the photos when they post them and everyone seems to be having one heck of a time ! I hope someday I can join in -
Mar 9th, 2006, 07:16 PM
#29
Gail - I sent my daughter to the Boston GTG when she was a freshman in college a few years ago (she was 18) since it was next to her campus. She didn't know anyone and was much younger than everyone. I will admit, a lobster bribe swayed her decision to go and she took 2 of her friends with her.
Since then she has attended one of Budman's and Trish's NYC/NJ GTG's and the OH/IN/KY GTG at Marcy's with me.
There were some strange people. I recall one guy drinking out of baby bottles and one guy in a grass skirt!Indy? Budman? LOL
Since then she has attended one of Budman's and Trish's NYC/NJ GTG's and the OH/IN/KY GTG at Marcy's with me.
There were some strange people. I recall one guy drinking out of baby bottles and one guy in a grass skirt!Indy? Budman? LOL
Mar 9th, 2006, 07:52 PM
#30
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LOL, I have had online experiences ruined by people before I ever met them!! Thank goodness for the Block email address option! lol
I always seem to just miss the big GTGs..but I have had a couple of mini gtg's..In NYC and here in Portland..and more to come **lcuy!!**
I always seem to just miss the big GTGs..but I have had a couple of mini gtg's..In NYC and here in Portland..and more to come
**lcuy!!**
Mar 9th, 2006, 08:44 PM
#31
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Well I guess you would call them GTG, but more on a personal GTG basis versus a big group.
And ruin my online experience, not at all, it consisted of making friends that I adore and hope will be part of my life forever.
And also have made friends because of Fodor's that I have not met yet but look forward to meeting them and communicate via email and/or telephone calls. No axe murders yet, thank goodness!!
And ruin my online experience, not at all, it consisted of making friends that I adore and hope will be part of my life forever.
And also have made friends because of Fodor's that I have not met yet but look forward to meeting them and communicate via email and/or telephone calls. No axe murders yet, thank goodness!!
Mar 9th, 2006, 10:43 PM
#33
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Lose a liver? No, but I did "force" another poster to eat a foot!
I've met Kal and even the famous Elvira. I met a guy who turned out to be my cousin's best friend. A fodorite just helped me sell some real estate. One is my classmate's sister, from my old 'hood. I'm headed to a Gtg in June and will be staying at the hostess' home (we already met at 2 gtgs).
I could go on and on, as my experiences go on and on......and the world gets smaller!
I've met Kal and even the famous Elvira. I met a guy who turned out to be my cousin's best friend. A fodorite just helped me sell some real estate. One is my classmate's sister, from my old 'hood. I'm headed to a Gtg in June and will be staying at the hostess' home (we already met at 2 gtgs).
I could go on and on, as my experiences go on and on......and the world gets smaller!
Mar 10th, 2006, 04:32 AM
#34
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Nope, in no way do I regret having finally comeing face to face with my friends.
OWJ, when we gonna do it again?
Here's photo links of the GTG's that the real icee and I have attended.
Atlanta:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/216365/index.html
Oahu
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/173554/index.html
Kauai
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/173573/index.html
Myrtle Beach
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/262865/index.html
Now, how about you include your GTG photos on this thread also!
OWJ, when we gonna do it again?
Here's photo links of the GTG's that the real icee and I have attended.
Atlanta:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/216365/index.html
Oahu
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/173554/index.html
Kauai
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/173573/index.html
Myrtle Beach
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/262865/index.html
Now, how about you include your GTG photos on this thread also!
Mar 10th, 2006, 05:59 AM
#36
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So far, have only met one. My husband jokingly refers to her as my axe murderer friend Meeting Scarlett was great and we now get together every few weeks. My kids used to wonder about me meeting an online person too, but now they just refer to her by her real name and they don't blink an eye.
Meeting Scarlett was great and we now get together every few weeks. My kids used to wonder about me meeting an online person too, but now they just refer to her by her real name and they don't blink an eye.
Mar 10th, 2006, 06:10 AM
#37
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I've never met a one in person, despite organizing a GTG for Chicago Fodorites that found me in MI and with an emergency, of course.
Yet, I feel the pictures, calls etc. resulting- that I do "know" them.
Having a huge gang of friends who don't much roam out of the Midwest- I intend to meet a lot of these present and past Fodorites regardless of what life dishes. And it's dishing.
I'll be meeting one for sure in May and she has been a goddess already.
Like everything else, once I get my guy to go to a GTG anywhere with me (hates downtown Chicago)- then he will like it more than I will and want to go constantly. LOL!
And I'm going to meet all you people near NYC and SF too, some day. It may take me a while but I'm a long term element.
And honestly, I have never used any other name on this web site, except a JJ plain before registration.
Yet, I feel the pictures, calls etc. resulting- that I do "know" them.
Having a huge gang of friends who don't much roam out of the Midwest- I intend to meet a lot of these present and past Fodorites regardless of what life dishes. And it's dishing.
I'll be meeting one for sure in May and she has been a goddess already.
Like everything else, once I get my guy to go to a GTG anywhere with me (hates downtown Chicago)- then he will like it more than I will and want to go constantly. LOL!
And I'm going to meet all you people near NYC and SF too, some day. It may take me a while but I'm a long term element.
And honestly, I have never used any other name on this web site, except a JJ plain before registration.
May 20th, 2006, 11:05 AM
#38
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I've been to 4 GTGs and no, it did not ruin my Fodor's experience. In fact, it made it even better because now I have a face to associate with some of the names I see on the board every day. At the DFW GTG I took a non-Fodorite friend along, and she was amazed at how well we already knew each other. From the minute we all sat down, we felt like we were already among friends. I hope to attend more.
May 20th, 2006, 02:21 PM
#40
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Well...finally met the Kals, Faina, Shanghainese and MelissaHI last month in San Francisco and we had a ball. I'm not regretting it a bit! Now all I have to do in convince iceu2 to get her lovely, southern self out to San Francisco so we can finally meet and my life will be complete!
-Bill
-Bill
