MikeT, what was the simple question?

Was it this one?

"Have any of you stayed at this hotel?"

If so, are you saying that the only answers that should have followed were "Yes" or "No"?

She didn't ask about the hostel nor to be henpecked about it. She says she understand the concerns, so let it rest instead of being snide and difficult.

"...she asked a simple question and the other posters decided to focus on a completely different issue"

"She didn't ask about the hostel..."

MikeT, I'm wondering if we read the same thread.

Starrs, just let it go. Quit badgering her and henpecking her, for heaven's sake.

MikeT, I'm responding to YOUR posts, not to Twina's.

Read my suggestions to Twina above. I neither badgered or henpecked her - on EITHER thread. On both last year's thread and this one I provided constructive suggestions.

Take responsiblity for your own comments on this thread - rather than slamming other posters. Re-read what you've written first.

Twina49's question was that she read a very bad review of the Holiday Inn and wondered, "Have any of you stayed at this hotel?

She never asked for opinions on the hostel.

Henpecked is the perfect way to describe the way she's been treated here.

It seems to me that if someone posts a question, and in the process of answers and comments it becomes apparent that there is a problem the OP seems not to be aware of it is only kind to let them know about it.

It is not rude to provide additional info that may be useful and/or important but is outside the original question.

The OP should thank posters for alerting him/her about the potential problem - not take the info provided as an attack.

If the OP decides to ignore the advice - then at least posters here know they did all they could to help the OP avoid a problem.

If an OP wants ONLY a very specific response to their question, and not peripheral info that might be helpful, then they probably should use another board.

"It is not rude to provide additional info that may be useful and/or important but is outside the original question."

But it is rude to continue to henpeck the OP after she's said she understands the concerns and then defends herself from all the attacks and criticism. Ultimately, your response after she explained she was aware of the concerns was to just have the last word and continue to henpeck.

I completely agree with nytraveler, who said <It is not rude to provide additional info that may be useful and/or important but is outside the original question.> When we post on a (semi) public forum, we can't dictate the terms of the conversation. I also think that the issues raised about the hostel were meant to be helpful, even if their tone might have been more polite. (Which the OP acknowledged.)

However, I think MikeT is right, too, that the sheer number of posts by some posters reiterating the same point, and insisting that the OP engage with the issue of the hostel, crossed the line into henpecking. And I think it's important for the community of posters here to cry foul when that happens.

Oh good grief. Stop. The op asks that others simply agree with her inane decisions on a public forum and then cries foul when she realizes she's not getting a consensus supporting those decisions. If an op doesn't like the 'tone' or content of free advice they are free to continue their research elsewhere.

I agree with MikeT 100%.

It is perfectly acceptable and nice even, to warn a poster of such things. It is not nice to keep arguing the point after the OP has acknowledged your post. She GOT it; we all got it.

Nagging accomplishes nothing.

To the nasty posters here- you make me ashamed to have been born and raised in NY. If you really wanted to help why do you not mention checking for a "certificate of occupancy" until August 1?

Anyway I did call the hostel and spoke with one of the managers. They are a legal hostel, do have a C of O as such for up to 115 guests and the OP is welcome to call them for a copy of the C of O.

Some of the nasties are not from NYC. They are habitual instigators.

MikeT, icuy, mztery, and others who were kind enough to respond with comments against the "henpecking" - Thank you very much! You are an example of why Fodors is a great place most of the time!

Mztery - You probably spoke with Ashleigh, who has been nothing but very helpful in the numerous conversations/emails that I and our purchasing department have had with her for the last two or three months.