Tim is the highest volume poster on this branch and much loved by some, but get him on the wrong day and he can be rude and insulting and if you are not used to him then yeah sure it could put you off. To be honest Tim, if you have succeeded in putting off a single poster then it has undone a lot of the good work you do.
I don't think "get a guide book" is an adequate response. The current Moon (Costa Rica) was printed in 2004 and is way out of date (new one due in Oct). The new Lonely Planet (Costa Rica) IMHO was a very lazy update and isn't worth the cover price. Frommers is well, Frommers.
Posters asking vague and open ended questions will probably get similar responses. Flippant questions often get flippant answers and plain stupid questions might well be mocked a tad.
All in all it should be fun.
Guide books are out of date (I'm in the mag business, I know how deadlines and printing work!) but again, it helps to have some feel for the destination before posting generic questions. My 63 year old boss, who doesnt know you can delete part of an email before forwarding it, probably knows how to do a google search.
Bottom line is you can post whatever questions you want, but know that you may or may not get the answers you're seeking.
This site works best when the question is specific.
Tim - that's my point - if it is intimidating posting on an anonymous chat board, maybe the OP should find a more gentle, touristy one
Boomer I agree....everyone should have a fair chance at getting a question answered without a offensive, rude or smart ass comment, but 95% of the questions posed are legit, and get great answers from various replies.
This entire TT forum, all Branches, has a gambit of wit, snide and even terse remarks, from being called a Troll, to a Idiot. But all in all, when you look at the responses of average, they are very good, more info than most travel agents can tell you for sure, and maybe even a majority of the residence in some developing countries.
You know what Post get the most attention, when someone states they are going on a Honeymoon, taking Parents or Children, or someone needing a very specific need, from Lens Caps to batteries, Motorcycles to KiteSurfing....everyone tries to answer the question as best they can.
So on that note, I will try to answer less questions with better answers, okay.
Now, where is my guidebook...:)
go omn Tripadvisor, you wont get any 'terse' remarks, of course you wont get any advice worth getting either!
Klair, good to see you here.
I offer this advice:
1. This forum is mostly high quality but still typical for the internet. Adapting to the forum culture is more valuable than avoiding it.
2. Don't let a small percentage of perceived negative posts rob you of the value here.
3. "RTFM" is still good advice most of the time. When LP's update is released, the advice will be even more applicable.
As to the frequent posters, thanks for taking the time to share here. The combo of humor, personality and travel knowledge is great.
Have a good day,
Steve.
I have been traveling for many years and used to rely on LP or roughguide, etc. That was until I have come across the owner of a restaurant (while traveling) in guatemala and she asked to see my LP guide. She went to the listing of her restaurant and was not very happy with what they had written about her restaurant. She then went on to explain that no one actually came to her restaurant - only interviewed her by phone - she said that what they had discussed was not what was written. Of course this is only one example. But since then, I have relied more on reading posts on TT and other websites. Not all of us are as "well traveled" as say ticotim.........but I am only asking that those who post alot and have alot of info to share - if you don't like the post that someone has written, please don't respond to only create a post such as this one - alot of bad energy.
Leendah, I am not well traveled, not even close, compared to many on this CA Branch. I am just lucky.
The culture on each branch is different, like the people in each country you meet.
As #14 says very well, take what your can, and share when you can, and it all evens out...
Tip: Once you conquer Costa Rica, you will want to see more of the region, there is a lot to discover, and its a big little world out there....savor every day on the road, good, bad or ugly. It beats the couch.
Klair - there are a number of helpful people on the branch who will be able to answer your questions. You will have a great trip - Costa Rica is lovely - and don't be shy to ask questions on the TT. To those posters who intimidate and are just plain nasty - just don't answer the posts you think you are 'above'!!
OP- just try to imagine it from our point of view
when your asked for the 10,534th time
"does it rain in the rainforest?
or
where should I go in CA?
or
what is a good hotel in CR?"
it gets a little old and we get cranky sometimes.
and yes, if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
"if you cant stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" is not a helpful comment!! Nor does that kind of attitude make this branch a friendly welcoming place to post.
If you dont like being asked the same question over and over again, you dont have to respond...
Just give someone new like me a break and let me ask a few questions without being told to get a guidebook etc..
I have got 2 guidebooks and read posts on here and have organised all my accomodation and have ideas of trips i can do so im not somoene who is not bothered to do the research, if i was i would not travel independently!!
My questions may seem slightly stupid to someone who knows CR very well but i have never been there or indeed to Central or South America and therefore my questions are valid to me!!
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