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What is the best?

Sorry, but I took down Frank's thread on the subject. Too much of the thread had a vibe of blaming OPs for using natural, day-to-day language that they wouldn't possibly know would offend someone else or be a pet peeve. It's not welcoming, and the thread as a whole was tone deaf to the concerns I brought up about clique-ish behavior a few months ago.

I think we're all aware that asking questions in the best possible way will lead to the best answers. (See what I did there? ;) I was trying to support this notion recently when I brought up the discussion point of etiquette. I can appreciate that when you've helped thousands of people - seeing a question posed in a certain way for e.g. the hundredth time when you're aware that other ways can help you be more helpful - it can eventually grate on you. However, getting publicly exasperated about it isn't helpful. I know you're trying to commiserate with your friends on the boards, but it's probably best left for private channels if you feel this way (or let me know in case there's something we can do about it).

As I've said in moderation to many of you over the years, if you don't like something in a post, please move on to the next one. Such is the golden rule of forum behavior. I want you to be here for the parts that you like, and I don't want anyone to feel like you owe anyone a response. If you're inclined to engage, you can politely ask the OP for more info as to what they mean by their question. This is the way forward. It's unrealistic to think that we can change common behavior, and ironically the best way to help solve this is to encourage them to travel - and we can do that by being patient and polite in our answers. More experience leads to asking better questions.

I sincerely appreciate the time you all spend to help others. I hope this can be a simple reminder to not let things bug you and keep your patience, or skip to the next post.

Sincerely,
Andrew

Posted by
1070 posts

I'll leave this open for discussion for now - hopefully so that replies can discuss how we can address this without criticizing anyone. Thanks, everyone!

As a side question, do any of you feel that this is a busier season in the forum? Aka, are there more questions to answer? Does the busy spring/summer season contribute to how you feel about our forum? It is growing.

Posted by
5317 posts

ironically the best way to help solve this is to encourage them to travel. More experience leads to asking better questions.

I absolutely love this very basic point. Each time I travel, I become a better traveler. But I don’t know what I don’t know.

Posted by
4234 posts

Yes less outrage, more travel

This last week has been a bit looney toons with the amount of ranting.

Posted by
5041 posts

As a side question, do any of you feel that this is a busier season in
the forum? Aka, are there more questions to answer?

Now that you mention it, it does seem busier. Ironically I've been logging on less this summer, or maybe I've become more selective to what I'm reading on the Forum.

Does the busy spring/summer season contribute to how you feel about
our forum?

Personally, my greatest enjoyment with the Forum was during the pandemic when there was a turn to more thought provoking questions and less "what should I do in Italy in 2 weeks." There has been a recent turn back toward those questions and I'm enjoying it.

Posted by
498 posts

Can we /should we start a topic on how to perhaps do a better job of
wording a question.

I think this is covered in the Get Started! link on the main Travel Forum page.

Posted by
864 posts

I love when Andrew steps in and keeps this forum running the best way
it can. Thank you!

Ditto @Gelato girl

Posted by
6408 posts

Webmaster,
is there any way to make the search function here friendlier? I know sometimes folks ask best questions after they receive unsatisfactory Search results. Or is it possible to post directions for using the Search function in a visible place?
Just a thought, and thanks for all you do.

Posted by
5334 posts

I love when Andrew steps in and keeps this forum running the best way it can. Thank you!

Ditto@ GelatoGirl! You said it best!

Thanks Andrew, for being the best Webmaster!