Goodbye!

Surprised and sorry to hear this. I found you to be very helpful.

I am sorry you feel like you need to leave. I have always appreciated your input. We all have different personalities and styles which I think make the forum more interesting.

Badger, sorry. I enjoyed our disagreements. You kept my brain working and I remember on at least one ocassion showed me the error of my ways. G-d bless and keep you safe.

Please don't go. We need to hear the perspectives of our European friends, and yours have always been welcome. Most of us can get past any tone or language issues.

I'm sorry to see you go, Badger. Thank you for being open to helping members with planning a trip to northern Europe via PM. I hope that you reconsider leaving and stay on the forum.

Badger, I appreciate that this forum has some international representation. I hope you will feel like returning & also feel welcome after giving yourself a winter break.

Badger, I'm sorry to hear that you feel the need to do this. I've always appreciated your input, even if I didn't always agree with some of your opinions. And IMO, anyone who thinks they can accurately decipher tone from an online post is just looking for an excuse to be offended. They need to be ignored. I hope you will change your mind. You've been an asset here.

• I've always enjoyed your posts.
• I don't remember anything you've written anyone reasonable could complain about.
• Your posts are informative and I like how you express yourself in English.
• You have a good casual style that lets the Swedish shine through.

Badger, GerryM said it well above, and I agree on all points.

FWIW I've quit the forum previously, too - took more than a full year off (because I found a particular incessant poster who seemed to not be held accountable for the disinformation he posted every day utterly infuriating). So maybe I can understand where you're coming from.

Hope you stick around or come back after a break. Take care and Illegitimi cum pileis aurantiacis non carborundum!

I evidently also get under the skin of some regulars here because lots of my posts magically disappear or are edited.

Sorry to see you go, you are a good voice on the forum. I will take you up on the offer for Northern Europe advice; whatever you do, please don't delete your account, because it would also delete all of your posts, and I have bookmarked quite a few of yours.

I'm also sorry you feel the need to leave. I don't think I've ever found one of your posts to be disrespectful.

I agree with all of the above, I’ve never found anything in your posts to be offensive in the least and actively look for your input in the relevant threads. This forum needs accurate information from our international colleagues.

I've always enjoyed your posts.
I don't remember anything you've written anyone reasonable could complain about.
Your posts are informative and I like how you express yourself in English.
You have a good casual style that lets the Swedish shine through.

I agree with all of the above and more of which has been said. I will truly miss your Swedish input and just that you are here. I can't imagine who would be annoyed with your posts. So sorry to see you go and I hope you don't leave!

Wow. I don't remember ever reading anything you wrote that was a problem.

I'm annoying. You? Not so much.

This forum can be vexing at times. I appreciate the difficult job the moderators have. That's why they zap my hilarious, top shelf posts-- because they lack my refined sense of humor! Either that or they hate me.

Seriously, ditto to everything the good David (from Seattle) said.

Happy travels.

Badger, like the others, I'm sorry to hear this news. I hope after a break you'll feel like coming back. Thank you for all your contributions to the forum.

I'm sorry you plan to leave. I don't recall ever being concerned about any of your posts, and always appreciate contributions from forum members in Europe.

Another person who was never insulted, hurt, annoyed, etc. by your posts.
Hope you come back after a bit of a break.

I have never had any problem with any of your posts, Badger and welcome them when I see them.

I have been in your shoes and walked away from here a couple of times, but I've always returned.

I hope that you reconsider and stay, or at least lurk for a while. I'll miss you, and would be ever so glad if you stayed.

If hearing from a number of us that you will be missed can in any way change your mind, I’ll add my voice. If the purpose of the forum is to be informative, it needs many voices and viewpoints, your included.

Badger, you will be missed. Your posts have always been helpful. I can't imagine anyone complaining about any of them. I hope you will change your mind.
Tack så mycket for all your help.

Badger,

I have always appreciated reading your advice on travel to Scandinavia. Hope you won't stay away.

Too new to have much of an opinion. But the posts I've seen have been very helpful. Can't remember the problematic one(s).

edit: As posts of mine (surprise!) have been deleted as well I just put it down to the times we live in. And RS site trying to do the best they can in those times.

Badger, I’m sorry to hear this. I have always found your comments to be helpful, informative, and kind. I can’t imagine what anyone could find to complain about! I have bookmarked and saved many of your posts, hoping to plan a trip to Sweden. If you leave, you will be greatly missed.

I am sorry to hear this. I hope you reconsider.

Well, you are a valuable resource, Badger, but I totally understand. I sometimes feel the need to step away when negativity gets on a roll. But you have contributed valuable info on topics that I wouldn’t even know to message and ask you about.

For the rest of us: What I take away from this in a general sense is that we really SHOULD all be careful using the Report button. I think it’s easy to forget there’s a human being on the other side and too easy to expect perfection. Every single one of us deserves respect, even when we disagree on something. Many of us have strong opinions about various topics and tone is easy to misread.

Apparently people have complained about my posts.

We only hear the squeaky wheels.

I never remember reading anything you wrote and thinking, hmm, not so nice. Nope, never.

Badger, I hope you will reconsider leaving us. I agree with the posters above who have found your posts to be helpful. I have never found anything the least bit offensive in your posts. If you do decide to leave please know you will be missed. But I hope you don't leave.

Traveler Girl

Badger, I'm very sorry to hear this. I have always enjoyed your posts and have never felt that you were being rude or negative. And especially now that I am planning a trip to Scandinavia, I have gained valuable knowledge from your comments.

But I do get what you are saying. Sometimes the negativity here can be a bit disheartening. If that happens, I usually I take a small break or am extra choosy about the threads I read and respond to. Maybe you could take a couple of weeks or a month or so off, then try again? I really would miss you here on the forum.

I do appreciate it when people let us know they are leaving for whatever reason. I don't like it when members disappear without a word of explanation, especially those whose writings I value. Obviously, no one is required to let others know about their departure from the forum, but it is a nice gesture, I think.

I have followed this forum for years before I finally decided to participate. Some of the negative comments I read is what kept me from participating. But I don’t remember that coming from you. I enjoyed your posts, and hope you just take a break and come back.

I have always learned from your posts, since you provide valuable local information. Please do not leave the forum completely. I would miss your posts and hope that you continue to chime in.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we hope you'll reconsider. I've reached out privately.

As I said in my PM, please reconsider. Occasionally some people are annoyed by my posts too, but who cares.

Just come back as another animal, maybe as a beaver, and nobody will even notice it's you.

Occasionally some people are annoyed by my posts too, but who cares.

That is my philosophy. If someone is annoyed with my posts, I don't really care.

Badger, please consider me a co-signer to Nigel's response. I enjoy your posts immensely and have really appreciated your advice. I too am hoping you will reconsider.

Your English is beautiful by the way.

Anyway thank you for deciding to allow us to PM you. I have literally had one of the hardest days of my life today, so don't have the energy - but will do so soon.

Hello Badger,

As you can see, many of us have found your posts valuable and informative and we appreciate your input on the forum.

I think you express yourself very well in English, and to be honest, I didn’t know English was not your primary language.

I do hope you reconsider and stay.

I sent you a PM.

Apparently people have complained about my posts.

We only hear the squeaky wheels.

Well, I used those same words in a previous post, and they were edited out.

I understand the community guidelines, but yes, this forum works essentially on "if someone complains, they address it" and that action is to appease the squeaky wheel.

Not to raise the ire of the Webmasters, but if you have not noticed, your comments may be entirely eliminated, or they edit your post as they see fit. In either case, you are not notified of the fact that your comment was eliminated or edited, nor is the post noted that it was edited. So some comment you made, may be entirely different in context than what you intended.

I am all for civil discourse, we are all adults, they should certainly address abusive behavior, but I can give a couple examples where people just had their feathers ruffled and expect comments to be eliminated.

Of course, after 20 some years on this forum, this may wind up being my mea culpa.

Thank you for all the kind words! I was not trying to attract attention, I just thought it wouldn't be polite to leave without saying goodbye.

And don't worry, I won't delete my account. Maybe someone might find my old posts useful. And who knows, maybe I'll return some day?

I'm glad you'll still be around, reading I hope. Apologies for my harsh words. I had a chat with our friend about bluntness to the point of rudeness. No hard feelings I hope pal.

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear this. I've always found your posts and the tone helpful. Thank you for your feedback when I was planning my trip to Sweden.

DJ

Badger,

And don't worry, I won't delete my account. Maybe someone might find my old posts useful. And who knows, maybe I'll return some day?

Yes, your posts are always helpful.

Don’t stay away too long because you and your expertise will surely be missed! 😉

Tack och hoppas vi ses snart än senare!

Hey Badger just saw this, as I've significantly reduced the time I spend on this forum. I'll always remember your help with my understanding Swedish society when I first moved here and was posting about my experience with photos.

I agree with you completely, in the last year I've noticed a significant uptick in negativity and abrasiveness from several on this forum, especially towards European commentators like us. Not sure if the current political climate in the US is somehow fomenting an anti-European sentiment over there. Just the other day another Spanish commentator and myself were told off by an American on this forum to leave Barcelona if we had an issue with how American tourists acted.

This among several other incidents in the last year have left a bad taste in my mouth with this forum and have led me step away for weeks at a time, now only post .maybe once or twice a month. So I think you're totally justified for wanting to step away.

Differences definitely exist, but the comment you referred to, Carlos, was a clumsy joke for which the writer apologized. Then the OP of the thread wrote these beautiful words praising you. Did you see them?
“ Ha! Anyone that peruses these forums for Enric and Carlos' posts about Spain would have seen how much both of you have contributed to the knowledge of the area for visitors, and it is hard to match your love and enthusiasm for the region. Thanks to both of you for helping out so many people!”

Wow guys. That’s quite a statement.

Someone who I won’t name called me a snowflake and others said worse when I wanted RSE to edit their site that said to expect to be scammed by Europeans. LOL. I don’t care. Andrew followed up and the wording was changed. Don’t pay attention to negative. It’s apéro time here on the continent, buddies.

Elizabeth it’s great that you don’t ’pay attention’ when you receive negative comments etc but it doesn’t mean that other people should feel the same way.

I’m more than happy to give and take in a discussion, and can cross a line on occasion, I also have a pretty thick skin but I agree with Carlos, some of the comments and associated behaviour from some ( emphasise some) of the posters on here have crossed a line recently. It’s not argument, it’s rude, even in some cases abuse.
Maybe with the behaviours we are seeing everyday in the media people have forgotten how to disagree civilly and without name calling? But there is still no excuse for it.

Thanks Elizabeth and Emma, maybe it was a clumsy joke but it was still unpleasant and the combative cynical tone is something I've seen more often coming from across the pond. It is also a shame that it left a bad taste on the topic with the OP who was quite open and nice. That brings me to another point, there is a lot of gaslighting on this forum when people do bring up these issues they have had and they are minimised or explained away as normal or "mis interpreted". I'm glad to see there are a few here like Emma who try to understand and show empathy rather than make a gut reaction to prove the OP was incorrect or confused.

"That brings me to another point, there is a lot of gaslighting on this forum when people do bring up these issues they have had and they are minimised or explained away as normal or "mis interpreted". "

Unfortunately, for a lot of people here (US) that is the new "normal". Though it's been growing long enough that some just think it was always that way.

[standard: not all places, not all people]

Can't say about Europe.

So what if he goes?
Cannot stop a man or a woman from doing what they want to do. I am brand new to this forum but I have been traveling the world for over half a century. My name is John and I served my country proudly for two decades also in the United States Air Force and the United States merchant Marines. I am thinking about using my knowledge in a totally different travel genre. I started out as a 17-year-old airman, I was a aerial refilling operator on a KC 135 strato tanker, and was an engineer on a super tanker, starting out in both jobs did not pay much, so I learned the tricks of the trade and have to stretch a dollar from my fellow airmen and merchant Marines. I have a lot to offer and I am considering different methods to transfer the ways I learned to save mostly off the beaten path into ways civilians can do it, so this is my first post and certainly not my last and I look forward to engaging with the community here and helping save money and discover new routes and sites on your visits. Thank you

shojohn, Welcome to the forum. I hope, in addition to your long list of attributes, you will work to add empathy.

So what if he goes?

It is distressing to learn that a long time, valued member of this community no longer feels comfortable here anymore. To us, it's a big deal.

I agree with jeanm. Badger has made many helpful suggestions and had specialized knowledge that I valued.

Badger, I didn't understand what kind of posts you and the regular non-US forum members were referring to until I read shojohn's post. I am sorry you all have been subjected to those kind of comments. Hopefully we all can and will be kinder. I appreciate all the help everyone has willingly given me.
If shojohn decides to participate in the forum, he should read the rules and know this is a travel forum dedicated to helping others learn how to, plan and enjoy travel.

I thought your posts were great, and I love having Europeans on the forum. I’m very sorry to see you go.

Badger, I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I didn't remember you ever saying anything offensive, so I looked at 10 of your recent posts. As hard as I tried, I couldn't conjure up anything that was even slightly offensive-you never said anything negative about Texas A&M!

Relative to the comment someone made about Americans not liking Europeans in the current US political environment(I know this will probably be deleted as a political comment), you can see that I live in two very conservative cities and the only comment I have ever heard is that some countries in Europe need to spend more money to defend themselves from you-know-who. My friends are still merrily going off to Europe with never a negative comment.

Badger, I am so disappointed to have just discovered this. Your posts and suggestions were absolutely invaluable when we were planning our trip to Scandinavia (from Australia) in the summer of 2024. My husband would even comment, "But what does Badger say?".

We are currently preparing to head back to Europe for Christmas and wil be starting in Helsinki with a ferry to Stockholm before heading further south by train.

Best wishes. You will be missed.

Perhaps you could reconsider your decision. I wish you were staying...period.

Much of what you say I agree with but a few times I was not in agreement with you. So what , that's irrelevant.