Occasionally there is a thread where the first person or two answer most, if not all, of the OP’s questions, often with good detail. Then two or three or ten responses later, someone else responds with exactly the same information.
Is this because people are not taking time to read what others who responded earlier have advised?
I try to read all responses before answering and then only if I have something new or different to add or want to back up a previous poster on the thread.
“Is this because people are not taking time to read what others who responded earlier have advised?”
Yes, I believe this is so. It always strikes me as rude for posters not to read others’ replies.
The 2 exceptions I can think of right off the bat are the replies that are a solid block of text with little to no punctuation or if several post within minutes of each other so when the reply was started there were no other answers.
Editing to add: When I started this Mona hadn’t posted, 😉😁
Sometimes it is good to hear from other posters even if it is the same info. It reinforces the first poster’s answer. For me it means I’m getting the best advice.
Also I’m pretty sure different readers value info from specific posters who they may identify with or have gotten good info from previously.
Not only don't some people read the answers, or updates from the OP, they also don"t look at dates.
Yes. As you said Laurel, some people repeat the exact same answer as though they were the first to say it, a clear sign to me they haven’t read previous responses.
If someone is compelled to repeat someone else’s response, at least say “As so and so said…”.
I do with the exception of ridiculously long threads. At that point I have to ask myself if I really have anything to say that needs saying.
If I have learned one thing over the years is that people are going to do what people are going to do on this forum and getting upset or trying to establish norms just frustrates the person seeking to make changes.
I love the variety of perspectives and personalities on the forum and have come to accept most of the peculiarities, as I hope they accept mine.
Only right now. So Yes. Or maybe no? 🤔
I didn't read Pam's answer. Was it good?
One issue with the forum is that the screen you get presented with when adding a reply only shows the original question, and not the answers already given. That way you can easily overlook what others have said. It also complicates replying to a reply...
Laurel, I know you weren’t trying to be funny but I had to laugh - because I have not even had the question. I just can SEE people don’t read the responses before theirs. 🤣
Nigel, Pam’s answers are always good…. 🤣 Goes without saying. LOL.
Wengen, the only problem with this line of reasoning is that you actually have to scroll down past all the previous replies before you can reply yourself. When I find the feature you describe as being problematic for me (as you mention) is when I want to answer a couple of responders - the OP who has responded. I have to open a new tab with the comments I want to reference, while responding on a different tab. Definitely less convenient.
I have been guilty of missing the posting date before, though…..
Just because Laurel is asking the question doesn’t mean she is upset about it - just a conversation. I like conversations…. 😝 And emojis. But truly, I think sometimes the duplicate responses are because we all love to talk travel. Can’t resist…..
I do with the exception of ridiculously long threads. At that point I have to ask myself if I really have anything to say that needs saying.
Yup, Carol, when there are already 34 answers, it has likely all been said.
In that nothing anyone else says matters, why would I read what others have written? >:-)
Actually, yes. Sometimes others have already responded properly and often they have responded poorly. A late reply should sort out all the facts as well as address the OP's question/comments.
As was noted, the flow of this forum (when you reply) allows you to only review the OP's question, and not the responses. The workaround is to open another session in a separate tab. That's pretty inconvenient and more than likely why so many people reply without acknowledging what has already been written. I think that is a definite shortcoming of this site.
@Laurel. An excellent post, thank you. I am going to follow your lead and post my my #1 suggestion (AKA, pet peeve) please SEARCH first for an answer to your question before posting your question.
Sometimes multiple people giving the same answer could be helpful for the OP. For example, hotel recommendations-it could give the OP confidence to choose a place that has been recommended by more than one person.
In general, I think people are just eager to share what they know/believe and probably don’t intend any offense by posting similar replies to those before them.
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.
If it is two or three posts I do assuming that it is not 10 paragraphs.
It depends on the number of posts and how long and in depth the posts are.
If I ask a question, I do not mind some persons saying the same or similar things. I am glad that you were caring enough to respond to my post.
We are all different people and how one person views and experiences the world is not the same as how the next persons views and experiences the world.
I can relate to what Barbara in Brooklyn said and well said Carol now retired
"I love the variety of perspectives and personalities on the forum and have come to accept most of the peculiarities, as I hope they accept mine."
A post could have 20 responses, and maybe 1 of those responses will actually answer the question as posed.
Some on this forum have openly admitted to only reading responses from certain posters. The chance of repeat information increases.
Many similar opinions can help an OP decide between A and B. The best way to get from A to B can usually be settled by one answer.
Miss Texas, to reply to two or more responses in your own post, copy and paste their comments to a document first.
Read the original post fully.
Many similar opinions can help an OP decide between A and B. The best way to get from A to B can usually be settled by one answer.
Exactly, Gunderson! Six answers saying Hotel X but not Hotel Y are helpful. Six giving the same train info is unnecessarily repetitive.
It is nice when members read other responses and can be helpful. For example, yesterday I answered someone's question about train tickets in Germany, and I told her what the price would be for a regional ticket. Unfortunately, I gave her the wrong price - I was looking at a different region. However, Sam noticed that the Euro amount I gave was wrong and corrected it. So I really do think reading everything is a good idea, especially if you have some knowledge of the subject and want to contribute.
That said, (and as Mack noted), it is hard to do because of the way this forum is set up. But I really do think it's a good idea to open the post in a separate thread so that you can read the responses as you are drafting your own (unless, of course, you have a photographic memory, lol!).
Laurel, please, it's Gundersen.
I didn't read Pam's answer. Was it good?
Use the SEARCH function for Pam's answer.
Laurel, please, it's Gundersen.
Sorry. My Swedishness is coming through! 🇸🇪
I was going to call you Lauren in retaliation.
I usually do; but like Pam, I can’t read the answers that have no punctuation or paragraph structure.
It just comes across as a jumble to me.
I think it’s good to sometimes emphasize information that others have already given.
Also to contradict any false or outdated information, especially if you yourself have very recent experience of a place or restaurant or hotel.
Sorry, Gundersen, I probably was unclear. I sometimes answer off-task and out of sync, but I without fail read all responses first. Then sometimes I answer a responder instead of the OP. I just don’t find the process of only seeing the initial OP post problematic for reading responses before answering.
Where I DO find that bothersome is:
When I find the feature you describe as being problematic for me (as you mention) is when I want to answer a couple of responders - the OP who has responded. I have to open a new tab with the comments I want to reference, while responding on a different tab. Definitely less convenient.
Your solution also works just as well.
And I quite like the name Miss Texas. :) It makes me momentarily feel young and pretty. Lol!
I try to go through the previous responses or at least get a gist of how people have responded, then add what I think might be helpful. I will also often write "as others have said..." or "as has been discussed..." or "along the lines with what other writers have reported..." if what I have to say is similar.
Yes, but not in this thread.
"I didn't read Pam's answer. Was it good?"
@Nigel...oh gosh, you made me laugh! Is it because I seconded your suggestion in the Zoom call yesterday, haha??
@TexasTravelMom/Miss Texas - thank you for the nice words! And yes, I right click on the Reply button to give me a different tab, then I can scroll back up on the original tab to see the rest of the replies in a thread.
"In that nothing anyone else says matters, why would I read what others have written? >:-)"
@Mack - hahha!! Yes, that is the impression some people sometimes give. And sometimes those are the people who really SHOULD be reading the other replies.
@Roubrat - oh my word...yes, I did burst out laughing at your statement!
And lets see, I met my own criteria for punctuation and paragraphs. I'm on the laptop so no emoticons but there is emotion expressed.
The real plus to reading others' replies is that we have so many smart and well-traveled people on this board that I enjoy reading what others say when correct and experiential information is being given. I learn a lot even if it's not about a destination I've got on my radar. And by the way, when I see some snarky replies I try to reply even if I don't have a whole lot of information. It embarrasses me when people are mean and snarky especially in the first reply.
@Laurel - this has been an interesting thread. I've enjoyed reading every post! Thank you.
And by the way, when I see some snarky replies I try to reply even if I don't have a whole lot of information. It embarrasses me when people are mean and snarky especially in the first reply.
Pam, I agree. I hate it when I see responses that are mean, especially when it's obvious the OP is fairly new to the forum. I think many of us have added replies when we hadn't planned to because we're hoping to override an earlier not-so-nice response. I also sometimes will add a response to a subject I don't know much about with just a comment and link to a couple of helpful threads because I feel bad that no one has answered the OP.
Hi Laurel, looking at this post is a good example of what I do. I read the first 5 to 10 max. but skip those with no punctuation or paragraphs.
If haven’t seen the answer I planned to share, or it seems like it would be important to the poster to have multiple agree, i.e., “Should I do A or B?”, I will share. And if I see there’s already 30 answers, I rarely open it.
Well since the response is for the OP, who cares how many people answer the question or how many people say the same thing, as long as the OP feels they got an answer? Is it rude, or is it just enthusiastic travelers trying to be helpful? I would like to think the latter and just move on.
I for one, like to second a recommendation and then throw in my own experience, but I will usually throw in a "as a PP mentioned".
Some of the threads get super long, like this one, with side conversations, commenting on someone's comment, attempts at witty humor..all in good fun and totally expected on a public forum. I just scan the fluff and try to sort through to the good stuff.
Isn't that why they put in that "jump to bottom" button?
I read all of them. Then then the next time if there are 100 answers, I use the jump to the bottom, scrolling up to the last one that I read.
“Well since the response is for the OP”
I don’t think answers are just for the OP, answers can help a lot of people now and months later. I use the Search function very often. I just did for Dublin hotels, and i went back 2 yrs.
I agree with Pam and Mardee about the snark comments, sometimes i comment just to say something nice/supportive to counter the snark.
“Isn’t that why they put in that "jump to bottom" button?”
Lol, i thought it was to proofread my comment right after i posted it.
Laurel,
Yes, I generally do read all the previous replies, however if there's a huge number I generally just skim through them. If I reply to long threads, it's usually because I feel that there's something that hasn't been covered.
Its a conversation, not a quiz.
If I'm interested enough to click on a topic, I tend to read every comment. I do admit I am guilty of skimming which can make me guilty of repeating an answer. But as Stan mentioned, it's a conversation and that's what I enjoy most about this Forum, and if it takes a left turn and goes in a different direction then I'm more than happy to make that left turn as well.
*I can confidently say that I have ready every comment on Nigel's two A-Z posts, which reminds me, someone needs to get back to that and keep it going; it's be awhile since I've seen that post.
@WenGenK wrote:
One issue with the forum is that the screen you get presented with when adding a reply only shows the original question, and not the answers already given. That way you can easily overlook what others have said. It also complicates replying to a reply...
I totally agree that the forum in the way it's currently designed is ill-suited for good conversational replies and exchanges. For example, even quoting what WenGenK wrote above, I had to do a manual copy and paste. The long one-level reply (i.e., no reply nesting) and lack of other crucial modern-day forum features makes this site difficult to use and hard to sort of what has been responded to already, by whom, and how.
There are so many other forum software out there. I hope those in charge of this website will consider upgrading to something better.
I do read everything before commenting, however, unlike most on here, my comments are usually to seek additional information rather than to inform. Sometimes one answer contradicts or complicates another so I end up more confused and it may look like I haven't read everyone's comments, but I do.
I value this forum very much and I've gotten so much excellent advice here. There have been a few times when responses to my questions seemed snarky, but I overlook that because my ultimate goal is to have a safe, pleasant trip and this is a valuable resource for me and I believe most people here like being helpful.
Also, there are definitely certain people here who seem quite reliable and knowledgeable to me. When I was planning my first solo overseas trip I had no confidence. I was choosing to move forward with my dream to travel despite feeling very afraid. I can't even remember what I was asking about, but I remember ChristineH giving me a response that was not only informative, but also reassuring. That comment alone helped more than I'm sure she knew and now I've got my third and fourth solo trip scheduled.
Yes, usually, except this one...LOL. Ironically. What really annoys me is when people comment without fully reading the initial post. Too many stop in the middle and answer or something. Reading comprehension anyone?
Pam, Answer. I think this was snarky. LOL
No..
Many of these forums get way way to many answers for me to read them all.
I read a lot of them but i skim and or skip more as I go down the list.
Of course this depends on the type of post it is.
Is it a topic with a true answer or is it a topic (like this one) that is an opinion peace? If the OP is asking an opinion then you can easily skip and just add you opinion and let it go. If it is something like “how do you validate tickets in Paris Nord” Then i read the answers until i see the correct answer is given. Then if it has a correct answer I either dont post or i post something like ABC is correct you do it as they said.
One thing i wish this forum had was a like button. Then if you see an answer that you agree with and want to support you can up vote it. A hotel recommendation is good. but getting 15 people yo agree with the recommendation is better. I think that is why you sometimes get similar answers.
i use to, but not anymore. :)
Sometimes it's just timing. When I read the initial question, there may be two replies, and by the time I've finished crafting my reply, and hit "add reply", there are several more posted. Since my reply is always a thing of beauty and worth reading (ha) I don't delete it even if someone just beat me to the perfect nuggets of guidance.
Yes, but not in this thread.
I'd already said that. If I wanted my jokes stolen I'd post on a forum Amy Schumer moderates.
And then again, sometimes it seems that a responder didn’t fully read the OP’s original post, before forming their own answer.
What was the question again?
I don't. First I write a response to the question from my own experience. Then I go back to see what others said. Based on those, I'll often edit because another question comes up or the other responses reminded me of something. Other times I just leave my response as is or delete it.
Here's an example. I usually only look at dates when a thread is closed for inactivity.
