New Year's Eve Resolution?

If an acronym or abbreviation confuses you, simply head over to http://www.google.com type in the offending term into the search box and hit "search". You'll find out what it means in a couple of seconds. YMMV of course;)

If someone asks a question - answer it. There are a lot of new members to this site. They don't know that their question has been asked over and over for years. This should not bother YOU - help out or don't post. Also, just answer their question. If they want to know the best 26" pullman to use for checked luggage, assist them with your choices. They don't want that you would NEVER check bags and only CARRYON. This does not answer their question. Happy travels in 2012, light or heavy loads, 5 star or hostel - YOUR choice not Mine!

Bruce: I understand what you are saying, but how do we know what acronyms and abbreviations are "the most common ones"? If we use them all the time, they are common to us. Bob: I agree that many times people post their personal opinions about things that are not asked, rather than answering what WAS asked. In your suitcase example, though, if people only answered who actually have an opinion about a brand in that size, the OP isn't likely to get any answers at all. Is that better or worse than getting suggestions to take a smaller bag (and get suggestions for brands that we actually use)?

Nancy: not all those asking questions have our level of travel experience in Europe nor have written thousands of postings so know acronyms and abbreviations we all sling about with abandon. When in doubt, spell it out seems like a reasonable standard. Bob: I agree wholeheartedly.

I promise to ask questions about an upcoming trip in April 2012 to Paris, Bruges & Amsterdam. Happy New Year everyone!!

Pardon me for asking, but what acronyms and abbreviations do you mean? I don't see that many. UK? EU? ATM? VAT? TGV? Periodically the names of the national rail companies appear (DB, NS, NMSB, SBB, SNCF, ÖBB, etc), but usually the poster identifies the abbreviation pretty unambiguously.

Tom, my question exactly! I can't imagine what acronyms get used here that aren't familiar to the general population. I was serious when I asked what the original poster meant by "the most common ones". I would still like an answer to that question. I don't think we use any that would be confusing to anyone.

"If someone asks a question - answer it." Except. I hereby proclaim that anyone who says they're going to Europe for several months needs to be notified of the Shengen rules. It may be fantasy-crushing, but I bet 80% of people who post here with that plan have no idea what the hurdles are. No one wants them to show up at immigration to find out they are SOL. (That's an old acronym meaning...out of luck.)

FWIW, I don't mind when some people post "common" abbreviations so long as they aren't too frequent, requiring me to google search five or six times in a response just to understand what's going on. IMO, this is a good way to learn what the young'uns are writing these days! <jk>. OTOH, I understand people's frustrations. But if I want to get the best advice for a trip to Europe for me and my DW, I come here and I'm willing to delve through some crazy internet speak to get that advice. If nothing else, I've sure learned many new airport codes since becoming a regular reader. LOL. Happy New Year, all!
Matt * For what it's worth/In my opinion /just kidding /On the other hand/ Darling wife / Laugh out loud

My suggestion for a New Year's resolution is for us all to refrain from responding with sarcasm, argument, or snide remarks, even when the original poster phrases the question in an unfortunate way that seems to invite ridicule. I believe it is possible to point out that the question is difficult to answer without resorting to belittling. Although this is one of the most civilized forums out there, I think we could improve on this. There are some frequent posters who seem to be pretty invested in showing someone else up, in my opinion. And if you find a question irritating or boring, it is a simple matter to skip it and move along to something else. Also, I agree that abbreviations can sometimes be confusing for some people. I recall new posters asking what is "RS" and "TI", which seems ridiculously obvious to experienced travelers and frequent posters, but may not be to new posters. I agree that it is impossible to determine what is "common", so Bruce's suggestion in his second post to spell out as much as possible seems like a good idea. And I can't speak for Bob, but my interpretation of his suggestion to answer the question is, not that you should withold useful info like the Schengen agreement, but rather that you should refrain from indicating that the poster's choices are wrong simply because they are different from your choices. In short, I think we should remember that this is a HELPLINE, and if our responses to questions are not helpful, then it defeats the purpose.

I know I should probably bite my tongue, but the more I'm thinking this abbreviation thing, the more it's getting under my skin. If others want to spell-out European Union or charles de gaulle airport, then go for it. But speaking for myself, I'm a volunteer taking time out of my life to to help people. If using abbreviations gives me more time to play with my five year old nephew visiting for the holidays, or more time to assemble the 1600 piece Lego set I just got as a gift, or reduces the cramps in my hand from typing all day, then I will happily use them, and no one will make me feel guilty for it. For me this a non-issue.

No guilt, Michael. Just go play with your Legos. (Really? 1600 pieces? For a grown man? Sweet!)

http://www.thebricklife.com/wp-content/uploads/Lego-VW-Campervan.jpg I'd rather be doing other things but, when someone spends over a $100 bucks on legos, one feels obligated to put it together.

I wish folks would stop making fun of the way people spell, especially when it is really small stuff like "Frankfort" instead of "Frankfurt". I live here and I still don't mind. What the heck??? Or if they say they are taking the Eurail. Is it really needed to point out how dumb they are for thinking this is the name of the train and not knowing the "proper name" for the train systems in each country. A good suggestion is to be less judgemental, whether it is rolling bag over backpack, train over car, B&B over chain hotel or big city over small, neck pouch over money belt, let people have their preferences. I think people appreciate knowing that they can take a train for 30 euro rather than renting a car if they have never been to Europe and have no idea that a train can be so cheap and easy, but there is no need to put them down for it if they would still rather rent a car.

Oh yes, M S. Can I come over and help build it? Magic

WTG Jo. IMHO you are AOK. XOXOXOX
Chani

IMO Legos are the best thing ever. FWIW, my 8yo has about 10K pieces and I have over 45K. DW just rolls her eyes... Cool van...

To tie together Legos and international travel, I just remembered a story about those maddening bricks:) Back around 1991, I was stranded at TLV airport for about 12 hours due to a country-wide general strike. I had just arrived at the airport from a long bus journey out of Cairo. I was tired, and hungry and just wanted to get on a plane to JFK and sleep through the entire flight. Of course the terminal was jammed (no where to stretch out and sleep)and no shops/restaurants were open. Except for one......the Lego Store! Not sure why the Lego store was exempt from the labor action, but I bought a bunch of small sets and they helped get through the nightmare. And boy did the nightmare continue, when I was finally airborne the aircraft had no hot food because of the strike. So it was soft drinks, peanuts, hot towels and Matlock reruns for the next 10 hours. Yes the absolute only thing the entertainment system was showing was Matlock over and over again. And if you've ever wondered if passengers on a full 747 get cranky when not fed, the answer is yes. When I arrived at JFK the nightmare still wasn't over....the airport bus service which goes to the Hudson Valley went out of business, stranding me at JFK for another 8 hours until the the commuter trains started up in the morning. So thank you bumpy Danish bricks.....you were my only friend that day(s):)