Best Answers for Popular Questions (Not for Newbies)

When is the best time to buy my flight tickets for July? Last week.

I'm going to France, Germany and Italy. As I cross each border, will I get my passport stamped? Yes, and don't forget to change your money from Francs to Marks to Lira. So, who are you voting for this November, Reagan or McGovern? Where should I stay in Paris? Far away from me. Where's a good place to eat in Paris? A restaurant. Can I wear shorts? I don' t know, how are your legs?

Q: How should I treat a clueless newbie? A: Kindly. I really do not want to come off as any sort of scold and have sardonically entertained every one of these thoughts and worse--to myself. But I really do think this thread has the potential to put off people coming here with these and other questions, "not for newbies" notwithstanding.

While I agree that threads like this can get ugly fast no matter how much you attempt cover by warning readers away, I would respectfully request that from this point forward no one ask where we think they should go on their trip. The best answer to the question of where you should go is to read guide books and cross-reference what you read with a map. Pick where YOU want to go, and the good people here will have excellent advice HOW to accomplish most, if not all of your dream itinerary in the best way possible.

We have a ___ hour layover at Heathrow. Can we see all the must sees in London during that time? Only if you have a time machine and it will fit in your carryon.

Adam, I'm sorry, but I think humor is very important in life. I have been through some horrific events in my life and humor made things a bit more bearable. I think this topic is good-natured and could be fun. Nigel has one going that is very similar and has been fun. Frank II, who knew you were so funny? You really made me laugh, thank you.

This is the third similar thread I've seen recently ("schedule and preparation for discussions" and "best way" in the transportation section), and the posters seem to be positing the idea that regulars need to use "humor" to express frustration over newcomers' posts. At first it was amusing, but I think it's getting out of hand and it's not in the spirit of helpfulness. As for the idea that regular posters need to get their frustrations out of their systems, I think that's a little silly. Answering posts on the Helpline is not a horrific event or ordeal from which people need to let off steam. I'd like to remind everyone that no one here is forced to answer anyone's questions. People who are irritated or annoyed by a question have the option of simply not responding and moving on to something more interesting, or if they choose, pointing out how the OP can easily find the answer. If you are so frustrated by it that you can't refrain from being sarcastic or belitting the OP, perhaps you need to take a break from the Helpline altogether. Let's remember that the purpose of the Helpline is to be helpful to those asking travel questions. It's not a private chat room for an exclusive few. I enjoy humorous posts as much as anyone, but there's a difference between humor and ridicule. There's nothing wrong with having fun, but not at other people's expense. So in my opinion, these types of threads should be discontinued.

I thought Frank II made his purpose clear in the first paragraph. I've asked questions of him privately and always got a respectful reply so let's give him some slack. Some people DO ask questions that beg for sarcasm. Like "I'm going on a trip. What should I wear?" Rather than not answering at all, we can point out the other information we need in order to help.

It makes me wonder if a separate (independent) board for regulars to talk advanced travel tactics and poke some fun might be a good idea then I just realized, nah, we'd all end up fighting and screaming at each other, most likely.

"Answering posts on the Helpline is not a horrific event or ordeal from which people need to let off steam. I'd like to remind everyone that no one here is forced to answer anyone's questions." (italics mine) As a recent escapee from the ETBD Basement...I'd like to refute that. Several of you have wondered where I've been the last few months...I've been recuperating (Hot Pocket detox) and enjoying my new-found freedom ;-) There are many more like I once was; you know who they are. Please send cash to me; I'll use every cent to secure their release. Really. Carry on.

Thank you D.D. Sarcasm might be amusing to some, but not to those being mocked. I think the original point to the early Rick Steves shows, books, etc., was to encourage inexperienced travellers of modest means to escape from escorted group tours and try independent travel in Europe.....

Ah, yes, like the DE forum on TripAdvisor. You can only see it if you are a DE. ; ) Actually it doesn't' get that snarky. Pam

My favorite is: I'm traveling to Europe for a month with a six
month old baby...am I crazy? YES

There can always be humor used as long as it is NOT at the expense of someone asking for help. Maybe the better question would be why do some oldtimers stay here when they are clearly irritated at the questions being asked. Maybe we need term limits here as some people tend to forget what it is like to be taking their first trip to Europe. I absolutely cringe at some of the rude and insensitive answers that are given here. We are not 'teachers' or 'experts' or 'volunteers' (indicates that we have been trained by RS)... simply ordinary people who have traveled and are asked for an opinion. Seriously, I cannot understand why some of you feel as though the question has been directed to YOU... it is a general question and best left alone if you have nothing positive to say other than a reprimand. It's embarassing that new travelers are pushed away from a site called Helpline because they are ridiculed. Edit: I do consider some of you 'experts' and have taken advice from many. Thanks for all the good and respectful advice. I do appreciate it!

If this was FB, Terry Kathryn would get a "like" from me, as would a few more of you.

Terry Kathryn, I agree with you as well. Also, congratulations on your 1000th post. I think you get a RS coffee mug for that... Happy travels & photos

@Randy....1000...riduclious...I have to stop this nonsense and get to work and make more money so I can get back to Europe again...I guess this time is a tradeoff instead of plunking in front of the TV. I did just finish slideshows from two of my trips last year and they are on youtube...I don't know how to do the links, but I think if you look up tklphotography they might be there. One is from Turkey & Greece and the other is from Paris, Normady and the Christmas Markets.
Settle back with your RS coffee mug and enjoy!

Newbie here. I find the posts humorous and useful. I might have been guilty some day of asking one of those questions. It just seems to me that this string of posts were just in fun. Don't take them (or yourself) so seriously (I didn't) and you won't be offended (I wasn't).

@ Chadrock- Thanks! That's the spirit in which we posted them. While most of us "regulars" (I think I can include my self in that group) don't mind answering almost any question, a thread like this helps us enjoy things a bit more. Especially at this time of year, when things sometimes get a bit... well just weird! Frank II's post made me think of some of the coments in Bill Bryson's 'Notes on a Small Island'. If you've read that book you'll know he LOVES the UK, but he can see the humorous side of things too. And way of letting you see into his thoughts at times is hilarious- and informative. So- Can I see 15 countries in 17 days?
Yes- look at a map- you'll see them more clearly that way than by trying to travel there.

Welcome Chadrock! You're my kind of person!

Chadrock, welcome! Our kinda person. Texan Eileen, welcome back! I hope all is well. We missed you. Hot Pockets with pecorino cheese added on top can send one to rehab, I know. My children, (who are in their thirties), often ask me when am I going to grow up? Never. I am child-ish and child-like. Staying that way too. One must be able to laugh at oneself. I have often noticed that grumpy or serious people usually have grumpy or serious vacations. Bah-humbug. Leavin' for Zurich in 3 days......talk to you folks in April.

For me, the most funnier are the questions defying physics or meteo: - we have only 2 weeks to stay in Europe: husband MUST see Normandy beaches, wife MUST see Magna Grecia ruins in Southern Ital, daughter never skied in her life and wants to go downhill on the Mottherhorn in a black diamond class piste. By the way, we've already bought Eurail passes. As a family we also must see Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, Milano and Zürich. How do we do it without missing ANY important site?

Well frankly I'm disapointed in this thread. I was hoping to see a whole slew of funny comments about newbies(me), and there was only a few posts before everyone started getting worried about offending us. I always laugh hardest at my own foibles.
And yes, I am seeing Italy in 2 weeks, every major sight. I'll be the loud one with the camera, guidebook, flashy outfit and 40 lb suitcase. . . .

OK, I'll bite.... Q: Can I take my cell phone to Europe? A: You most certainly can. In fact, you can take anything your little heart desires. Except things that the TSA won't let you bring on board a plane. They tend to frown on those shenanigans. Q: Will my electronics work on European voltages? A: Quick way to find out: plug it into a 240V outlet and see if smoke comes out. If there is no smoke, you're good to go. If smoke does come out, you'll need to find a way to put the smoke back into the device to get it working again. Q: Should I bring my own toiletries to Europe?
A: This is highly recommended, as it is virtually impossible to find things like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc., anywhere between Dublin and Dubrovnik.

@Kevin - On the question of toiletries: I have read postings from people who say that they just buy everything after arrival. To me, this is giving very bad advice. Of course most everything is available. However, #1, who wants to make their first experience shopping around for shampoo, etc. Not me. #2, it may not be as simple as you think. Depending on the country, shops may be closed on Sunday, or from 1 'til 4 p.m. Or, unlike in the U.S., the item may not be sold in supermarkets. E.g., I misplaced my dental floss once in Italy. Had to go to a pharmacy to get more. Ditto when I forgot my supply of ibuprofen, which I take daily. Finally, the cost of such items may be surprising to Americans. The dental floss cost me about $8, more than twice what I normally pay for the same amount at home. The maximum size container of ibuprofen was 24. I figured out that by the end of the trip, I had spent about $40 on it; whereas, at home, I pay $15 for 1000 tabs.
It seems to me better to give useful responses to the sometimes naive questions than to poke fun at those who ask.

There are also a lot of questions we've never gotten: 1) If I'm an atheist, do I still have to wear long pants at the Vatican? 2) Do I get a discount at the Vatican shops if I wear a "Santorum for President" button? 3) Can I buy traveler's checks with my Diner's Club card? 4) Is it required for men to wear skirts in Scotland? 5) Is Italian pizza as good as Dominos?

Hello Rosalyn, I think you missed the point of this thread. It is meant to poke fun at newbie questions. I was in no way being serious here, nor do I believe others would think so either. See the original post by Frank II for context (i.e., "It is meant for fun...It's going to be full of sarcasm..." etc. etc.) Cheers.

Rosalyn: I do not believe that it is "very bad advice" to wait until you get to Europe to purchase ones toiletries. I go to Europe every summer and take the basic RS Toiletry Bag which I supplement with purchases there. While I do not have to purchase everything there, I purchase things like shampoo, tooth paste, etc. and do not have to purchase these items as soon as I land. I believe RS advocates that you do not have to take every possible toiletry item that you might ever need from home, but that you can purchase some things there including things you forgot. I guess that going to Europe every year for so long has taught me not to get excited about finding things I may need later, have forgot, or local currency. It sure is comforting to know that everything will work its way out.

OK, how about questions I get about traveling to South Dakota: Q: What time do the Indians attack? A: Always between 5 and 6 am, but you don't have to worry unless they have flaming arrows. Q: Do you have airplanes in SD? A: Airports, yes. Airplanes, no. We hope to get them someday. Q: Do I have to travel in the state via covered wagon? A: Only if it rains. Q: (Said to my friend who worked at Mt. Rushmore) How did they haul those faces up there? Did they use a crane? A: Those are natural formations. Q: Do you have electricity in SD? (Said to me in DC while I was texting on my blackberry) A: Nope, when I'm in SD I charge the battery on this badboy (my blackberry) with a stationary bike connected to a generator.
Q: Really? A: No.

I agree with many of you that some questions really do tax the imagination. Still, I have been going to Europe every year for the past 17 years and when I read the answers to some very Reasonable Questions by those who live in the USA and with well over 1000 posts to their name I ask myself " When was this person in Europe the last time?" "Are we really traveling in the same Europe?" Seems to me that some folks simply post an answer to put another notch in their numerical score without giving any real timely/significant/ factual information. And many of us complain about newbie questions - ironic.
Hornets nest, I Know.

Thanks, Crash! And a big ol' 'bah-humbug' to the bah-humbugers, too! I wear socks that don't match (intentionally!), and in the rainy wintertime I wear a school-bus-yellow rain slicker and matching boots. I look like the Morton Salt girl. There's enough black and beige in the other areas of my life ;-) On a serious note, I wholeheartedly agree with Rosalyn about the toiletires! Ditto everything. Deb - snort!!! Too funny...(and I though Mt Rushmore was carved...Wow!) Now get back to your pedaling. Duck, Sean, duck! You're very observant, methinks (ducking). Actually, there was a (short-lived?) push by some of the more prolific/old-timer posters to state when answering: 1)when they were last 'there', 2)if they did, in fact, have direct knowledge, or were giving second-hand but trusted info, 3)etc. I always felt a bit 'puffed up' when I'd say, 'well, the last time I was 'en Paris' blahblahblah, or I ride first-class trains because blahblahblah LOL! But I think it is helpful info to give such disclaimers; sometimes a well-traveled poster gives outdated info because things change mightly fast these days! Atheists must wear plaid shorts and the very-whitest of sneakers to get into St Peters. (DUH - newbies! shaking head in exasperation) And now back to Our Regularly-Scheduled Program...

Deb, loved your post! Q: Can I use American money in SD?

Susan,
You can use American money in SD...but not in New Mexico, cuz you know that's in a foreign country. (Thanks for the laugh.)

Deb, Phew! Good to know cuz I have a lot of traveler's cheques and wouldn't want to not be able to use them... ;)

Thanks for bringing some much needed laughter to my day!

Deb - I used to work in the tourist industry in South Dakota. I'm surprised you got those questions because as far as I can tell, only about of 7% of Americans even knows the state exists (and those are people who live in bordering states!) Sean - this is a good point. And honestly, even if a visit is recent it doesn't mean you're an "expert". I've given incorrect information about places I recently visited because I just wasn't aware of everything there is to know. I think the regulars should try to police themselves a little bit with speaking super authoritatively unless it's truly warranted. Advice is just an opinion, after all!