Any way to not be shown certain author's posts?

What a mad idea. Discipline yourself to note the names of posters before you read the post. Your blood pressure will thank you.

I get where you are coming from and agree. I don't understand why there are a few posters that are so contrary and sometimes just plain mean and unhelpful. Almost like they take a joy in it. I saw a news story that said people are becoming quite comfortable with being unkind in posts, but will not do it face to face. They like the anonymity of it I guess. I don't care to read their posts either and hope to God they are never on a tour with me!

I know what you mean Eric. There are definitely some bullies on this forum. Sad little people.

I think that we are all still learning how to communicate via this new (new to many of us old folks) way of having a conversation. Its not quite talking, and not just writing. Its very hard to communicate irony and humor without the non-verbal clues, and emoticons don't always help. I like hearing from people I would likely disagree with. The truly obnoxious and combative eventually go away.

Then, I realized, I might be one of them.

I think the only recourse is to hit the "report" button. I did that for one person, I found to be particular mean. I don't know that I would do it for the more everyday stuff.

Eric,

I don't think there would be enough of a demand for a feature like that, so doubt that it will ever be implemented here. I agree with Norma - if there are certain authors you're not interested in, just ignore them and don't read their posts.

I agree that ignoring their posts and not reading them accomplishes the same result as a 'block' feature. Some posters can be downright annoying when they post over and over again in the same thread, beating the same drum, to the point where it's like the boy who cried wolf. Nobody pays any attention to them, except those who like to tangle with them and encourage them. Unfortunately some of these same posters have good travel related information to offer and it's a shame that the good stuff gets ignored because people are tired of listening to (or reading) their rants.

I also agree with Mary. If their posts get overly nasty, insulting, racist, etc. then hit that REPORT button. Webmaster does pay attention to what gets reported and some of the nastier ones have been asked to cool it or leave, or in the worst cases banned from the forum.

I've found that if a post, or response to one of my posts, is irritating, it's for one of two reasons; either I'm being too sensitive and need to chill, or as others have suggested, I just need to ignore the post (and/or poster) in the first place.

The anonymity on the boards seems to empower some folks to let 'er fly.

And maybe all of us need to make sure we do that one important step before posting -- take hands away from keyboard, read what is written, and ask yourself "does this REALLY add to the discussion and/or offer new information? "

Good advice Laura. I do that all the time, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I've probably deleted (before posting) as many posts I've written as I've posted over the years.

And canuckatlarge, I like your perspective.

I just ignore the posters I don't care for.

I am total with you, stopped viewing the forum after a few same people attacked others and myself for general answers. Also had one constantly sending me private nasty messages.

Sorry to hear that happytotravel, If I read posts attacking others, or received nasty private messages, I'd report it to the webmaster.

It is so unfortunate that a few aggressive bullies can ruin things... yes, you can ignore them, but I don't have time to look at the names of everyone who posts, so I just start reading them all... till I realize it is one of the few that I would never want to travel with!!

Definitely do not engage in a nasty PM... it just encourages the people who love confrontation. Report it...

Does the Travel Forum need a "Safe Space"? Seriously, this is probably the most mild-mannered forum on the internet.

I keep putting Laura B's name in the filter and she still keeps popping up; forcing me to think, reconsider and enlightening my opinions - Help!

Thank you Laura B.

My analogy, FOX News. Ignore them.

Don't mind me if I weigh in. While I do believe in moving beyond those who might bother you, an "ignore" function has been high on my list of wants in the forum for several years. Wants get weighed out with needs, though, and you can understand why it hasn't happened... yet. I'm still determined.

"Happy to travel", I note what you said and will investigate.

Bless you, Webmaster! I certainly understand the need for prioritization--thank you for chiming in letting us know this might be available in the future.

Interesting. As has been asked, do we need a safe space? While I certainly remember a few (like 2 or 3) posters that really grated on me, I still don't think I would have ignored them if I could. After all, they are/were part of the Community, such as it is/was. How would I know if they ever "evolved" into a more productive, positive member? Live and learn.

I surely would not fault Webmaster if he chose to make such a button, but I see it as an insulator in what is already a fairly warm place, all things considered. My two cents.

I think its a wonderful idea. After all, when we know we are correct all those dissenting views are nothing more than a lot of ignorant and irritating people. A distraction from reality at best. G-d knows I never learned from them or altered my opinion on anything because of them. The concept that we learn through open discussion only applies when those with whom you discuss are your equals and as correct on the subject as you are.

One downside on "ignoring" a specific person's posts is that one never knows who will have that one piece of vital information ... even if their previous posts have been rants or otherwise annoying. Now, the posts about fake passports I will continue to report.

Laura B, it wasn't fake. it was issued by the Republic of Texas. It just wasn't valid ...................... yet.

Speaking only for myself, this has nothing to do with sprightly discourse or disagreement, with which I have no problem, or making a "safe place" within this forum--which, is, indeed, one of the most civil of which I know. Trying not to travel into the realm of forum guideline violations, and, again, speaking only for myself, what brought this idea to mind was A) some other forums already offer this option, so it's not exactly revolutionary, and B) if there were a hypothetical, singular person whose answers to posts repeatedly seemed more of an excuse to, say, remind other people in what class they travel, when this is in no way relevant to the discussion at hand, I would appreciate the choice to not read the same boasting over and over again. This type of posting does not seem to violate the community guidelines, so reporting it would do no good. As I noted in my OP, yep, I should just move on and be the bigger person, I get that, and perhaps I would miss out on some thought or idea that is new and challenging to me, but how exactly is anybody else affected if there were such an option and I chose to use it? If anybody else doesn't want to use this feature, they wouldn't have to. This is simply the electronic equivalent of noting each author's name before reading a post and choosing not to read it based on who the author is.

@Eric - agreed that if there's an easy way to not see posts from someone whose posts raise your blood pressure, it would be useful (like people who want to be able to not see posts about their ex's on Facebook ). I just meant that I probably wouldn't use it in case someone mildly annoying (but within community guidelines ) had something useful or insightful to say. After all, it's always possible that I might know somebody who DID want a first-class hotel. :-)