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Agree or Disagree: Trip Reports?
Agree or Disagree: Trip Reports?
Interesting thread on TA ripping trip reports:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1 ... lands.html
I disagree with the OP. I like the enthusiasm of folks who have been and "get it" (and even those who don't get it - always something to be learned) and appreciate folks taking the time to write detailed reports.
Just curious: What do the members of this community think?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1 ... lands.html
I disagree with the OP. I like the enthusiasm of folks who have been and "get it" (and even those who don't get it - always something to be learned) and appreciate folks taking the time to write detailed reports.
Just curious: What do the members of this community think?
Guess I've been outed. 
But since you asked, I don't see the OP's thread as being particularly useful. I'd much rather read a long trip report and look at toes in the sand as opposed to reading about what someone finds annoying. Just my personal "perspective", even though I'm not a professional writer like the OP.
But since you asked, I don't see the OP's thread as being particularly useful. I'd much rather read a long trip report and look at toes in the sand as opposed to reading about what someone finds annoying. Just my personal "perspective", even though I'm not a professional writer like the OP.
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
The type of trip report I want to read depends on my mood. Sometimes I only want to spend 20 seconds reading a report, and other times I have 5 minutes to spare. I often skip over the little details, but I am more likely to read every word the better I “know” the poster, or if he/she stayed at a villa I’ve stayed at or would like to rent, or if he/she has similar interests. I certainly am not annoyed by long trip reports…and if someday I did get annoyed, I’d just be on my merry way and not read the report 
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
I read the TA post and it really got under my skin. 
So much so......well, I'll let you read it yourself.
"KZ, your two cents were so disturbing to me that I registered on TA just so I could reply.
Your message sounds like it was written by someone who gets no joy when hearing about someone else's joy. I enjoy reading about someone's trip, including the personal insights for several reasons. The first is that I love to have people tell me that they "get it" when they go to STJ. The second is that when I read those stories I can picure myself in their beach chair and visualize my feet in the sand. That is called empathy. The third is that I sometimes learn something from their stories.
As far as the stars go, there is nothing more subjective than those kinds of ratings. If after reading their L O N G report the reader has a better sence of the writer's personality, the reader can put the writer's "best hands down" in better perspecive. That is how many of us determine if we identify with the writer's values or not. If you are one of the people who award stars to verious enterprises, it is time that you know that many of us take your advise with a grain of salt just like we do with the "non-professional" writers. The difference is that we have teh contect of their opinion. The professionals give us theirs so secretly that we have no idea of their point of view.
I regard these reports as a conversation in written form. When I speak with someone, they sometimes tell me about subjects that do not hold my interest, I try to avoid asking them to stop talking."
That kind of post is why I spend my time here. I feel better now.
Ruth, thanks for your post over there also.
JIM
So much so......well, I'll let you read it yourself."KZ, your two cents were so disturbing to me that I registered on TA just so I could reply.
Your message sounds like it was written by someone who gets no joy when hearing about someone else's joy. I enjoy reading about someone's trip, including the personal insights for several reasons. The first is that I love to have people tell me that they "get it" when they go to STJ. The second is that when I read those stories I can picure myself in their beach chair and visualize my feet in the sand. That is called empathy. The third is that I sometimes learn something from their stories.
As far as the stars go, there is nothing more subjective than those kinds of ratings. If after reading their L O N G report the reader has a better sence of the writer's personality, the reader can put the writer's "best hands down" in better perspecive. That is how many of us determine if we identify with the writer's values or not. If you are one of the people who award stars to verious enterprises, it is time that you know that many of us take your advise with a grain of salt just like we do with the "non-professional" writers. The difference is that we have teh contect of their opinion. The professionals give us theirs so secretly that we have no idea of their point of view.
I regard these reports as a conversation in written form. When I speak with someone, they sometimes tell me about subjects that do not hold my interest, I try to avoid asking them to stop talking."
That kind of post is why I spend my time here. I feel better now.
Ruth, thanks for your post over there also.
JIM
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
Yikes, not feeling the love on that site! My opinion on trip reports is this (this might get long - irony!) I think that people write them for themselves just as much as they do for others to enjoy. I found this site before I went to STJ a couple of years ago, and LOVED reading the reports (still do). I did a lot of research before going, but I didn't get the "feel" of the island from anywhere but here. I am planning another trip because I loved it there and I miss it! Reading trip reports with a more "personal flare" does take you back, and I think that's what the reports are all about. Sometimes you stumble onto things you might not have otherwise discovered and that's great too!
I think KZ supplied herself with her solution:
just my opinion, no personal attach on her, don't know her, never will, that's okay! This got long - Oops
I think KZ supplied herself with her solution:
Maybe she would be happier with more of her kind (professional writers) instead of bunch of:If you've got a strong hankering to live vicariously through others, check out the annual The Best American Travel Writing published every autumn. Good stuff. It'll take you away from the screen and into worlds you've never imagined -- and will put all those "little details" in perspective.
In any case, happy travels :)KZ
-KZreally poor writing and cute, personal pictures that belong in private scrapbooks.
just my opinion, no personal attach on her, don't know her, never will, that's okay! This got long - Oops
#1, It ain't my kind of place they got going over there. I registered just to reply, then said to myself,"Self, Why bother?"
TR's are as different as the folks that visit these boards. Some are great, some boring, some are witty and original, some informitive, and some are just plum dumb, but we can all read that what we want to, or not.
Keep 'em all coming.
BTW, I couldn't register over there as "JT, JAYTEE,JTEE,JAYT," or any other variation, so I registered as "OLDJT" in case I ever post over there, you might know it's me. I sure saw a lot of familiar "faces" over there!
TR's are as different as the folks that visit these boards. Some are great, some boring, some are witty and original, some informitive, and some are just plum dumb, but we can all read that what we want to, or not.
Keep 'em all coming.
BTW, I couldn't register over there as "JT, JAYTEE,JTEE,JAYT," or any other variation, so I registered as "OLDJT" in case I ever post over there, you might know it's me. I sure saw a lot of familiar "faces" over there!
Last edited by JT on Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
I'll be the first to admit I write my trip reports for myself! 1) Writing it down, even the most banal detail, sears the trip in my brain and I want EVERY experience of STJ seared forever. 2) I think the kids will get a kick out of reading them 10 years from now.
If someone/anyone gets a chuckle or GOD FORBID information from them then all the better.
And JT I resent being called plum dumb
I always liked you old man.
If someone/anyone gets a chuckle or GOD FORBID information from them then all the better.
And JT I resent being called plum dumb
I always liked you old man.
In 2006, I wrote 14000 words when I got home. I expect to out-do myself this time.
And, it will have the good things as well as the craziness we've been experiencing all week that has made this trip special. Essentially, very little has gone 100% for us so far, but we're having a great time and loving the laughs that the comedy of errors is bringing us.
This week, for us, is a "you have to get it to enjoy it" week. We've been making lists of all the people we know who never would have made it past the first morning here.
And, it will have the good things as well as the craziness we've been experiencing all week that has made this trip special. Essentially, very little has gone 100% for us so far, but we're having a great time and loving the laughs that the comedy of errors is bringing us.
This week, for us, is a "you have to get it to enjoy it" week. We've been making lists of all the people we know who never would have made it past the first morning here.
Wow - that was interesting!
Nice to read, though, that most of the replies to the post basically sounded like "our" kind of people!
Shout out to "JMQ". I recognized your daughter's toes from Secret Harbour. "Yes" - I know - we are beginning to know each other TOO WELL. Then I saw the post name of "Jmackq" from NJ & that confirmed it. Again - no secrets from us!!
Oh - did I forget to say - LOVE all of the trip reports in any way, shape or form. The best ones for me, are the ones when you actually feel like the writer is right there in the room with you. Having a conversation with a friend you have know forever!!
Keep up the good "vibes", friends!!
Take Care,
Sue
Nice to read, though, that most of the replies to the post basically sounded like "our" kind of people!
Shout out to "JMQ". I recognized your daughter's toes from Secret Harbour. "Yes" - I know - we are beginning to know each other TOO WELL. Then I saw the post name of "Jmackq" from NJ & that confirmed it. Again - no secrets from us!!
Oh - did I forget to say - LOVE all of the trip reports in any way, shape or form. The best ones for me, are the ones when you actually feel like the writer is right there in the room with you. Having a conversation with a friend you have know forever!!
Keep up the good "vibes", friends!!
Take Care,
Sue
Hey Margy...
When I first read that original post over there, I couldn't believe it. Alot of people were wondering whether she/he was just having a bad day. I mean, don't you think first before starting something like that on a message board?
I guess alot of what's in trip reports bore her/him, well that's too bad, skip over them then. She/he was talking about people wasting their time with tiny little details and photos she deemed stupid, or could of been taken anywhere. I was surprised at the amount of time he/she may have wasted considering the amount of posts she/he has on TA....wow....they're are alot.
Anyway, I decided to start a thread over there that is titled "Some great things", instead of "Some Annoying things". Come on over and post!
When I first read that original post over there, I couldn't believe it. Alot of people were wondering whether she/he was just having a bad day. I mean, don't you think first before starting something like that on a message board?
I guess alot of what's in trip reports bore her/him, well that's too bad, skip over them then. She/he was talking about people wasting their time with tiny little details and photos she deemed stupid, or could of been taken anywhere. I was surprised at the amount of time he/she may have wasted considering the amount of posts she/he has on TA....wow....they're are alot.
Anyway, I decided to start a thread over there that is titled "Some great things", instead of "Some Annoying things". Come on over and post!
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
Because I have STJ OCD, a trip report cannot be too trival for me. Hearing about people's experiences at the airport, on the ferry, whatever, take me back to my own travels and that makes me happy.
I agree with the "if you don't like it, don't read it or comment on it" school of thought.
I read that forum on occasion and because I was familar with the OP's other posts, that one really took me by surprise, it was almost like a different (and less helpful/positive) person was using his/her name.
I agree with the "if you don't like it, don't read it or comment on it" school of thought.
I read that forum on occasion and because I was familar with the OP's other posts, that one really took me by surprise, it was almost like a different (and less helpful/positive) person was using his/her name.
I am a professional writer. That's why it took me so long to finish my trip report; I'm like that mechanic that has his own car up on blocks. Paying work comes first.
I re-read my whole trip report yesterday when I posted that last day for all of you. I was very proud of what I had written. Do you know why? Because it was well-written, and for just a minute, I took everyone, myself included, back to St. John. If I closed my eyes, I could see myself lying face down on the beach at Soggy Dollar, with waves lapping into my beach bag. I could taste the Lime and Coconuts and Tuna Bites at The Beach Bar and hear Doug's voice talking to me from the other side of the bar.
I hope that trip report took all of you back, too. That maybe for just a few minutes you remembered when you bought pool noodles and sunscreen at Chelsea Drug or picked up a cake at Baked in the Sun. And maybe if you haven't done those things, you're planning to for your next trip.
I don't know anything about the person who wrote that, but I will tell you something as a professional writer. A lot of us are snobs. Yeah, every trip report is not written by a professional writer, but I find a lot of them to take me back or encourage me to do new things -- which is exactly what they're supposed to do. You don't have to be a professional writer to visit a forum, and honestly, that'd be very boring if you did. I love what all of you say, and I hope you keep telling me about your sandwiches from Deli Grotto and the Dunkin' Donuts you pick up on the way to the airport.
I re-read my whole trip report yesterday when I posted that last day for all of you. I was very proud of what I had written. Do you know why? Because it was well-written, and for just a minute, I took everyone, myself included, back to St. John. If I closed my eyes, I could see myself lying face down on the beach at Soggy Dollar, with waves lapping into my beach bag. I could taste the Lime and Coconuts and Tuna Bites at The Beach Bar and hear Doug's voice talking to me from the other side of the bar.
I hope that trip report took all of you back, too. That maybe for just a few minutes you remembered when you bought pool noodles and sunscreen at Chelsea Drug or picked up a cake at Baked in the Sun. And maybe if you haven't done those things, you're planning to for your next trip.
I don't know anything about the person who wrote that, but I will tell you something as a professional writer. A lot of us are snobs. Yeah, every trip report is not written by a professional writer, but I find a lot of them to take me back or encourage me to do new things -- which is exactly what they're supposed to do. You don't have to be a professional writer to visit a forum, and honestly, that'd be very boring if you did. I love what all of you say, and I hope you keep telling me about your sandwiches from Deli Grotto and the Dunkin' Donuts you pick up on the way to the airport.
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Jo Ann - VA
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:56 am
- Location: Virginia
As we all know the true joys in life are those tiny little details. And as far as STJ goes some of the things that make it special are, indeed, the "little differences."
I too love reading TR's. Never done one myself (sad but true) but my life would be torture if I didn't get to read everyone else's and live vicariously through them in between my own visits to STJ.
Having been to the island quite a bit, I get a lot more out of the detailed reports (like the octopus is on the left side of Salt Pond) than I do the general stuff. If I have time to read TR's I read them, if I don't, I don't.
My favorite reports are from the first timers whose writing exudes the absolute joy and awe of their virgin experience (pardon the pun) on island.
Reading reports like that bring a tear to my eye -- not only because their musings bring back my own fond memories of every trip I've ever had on STJ but because it brings me real joy to know that STJ made yet another person or family happy.
There's so much crappy in the world and I for one am grateful to anyone who counterbalances the crappy with true joy and personal insight -- no matter how benign it may be to others.
I'm thinking Ruth or Anthony or the Jolly Dog folks should start selling St. John T-shirts that say, "I get it."
A giant forum (((HUG))) to you all!!
I too love reading TR's. Never done one myself (sad but true) but my life would be torture if I didn't get to read everyone else's and live vicariously through them in between my own visits to STJ.
Having been to the island quite a bit, I get a lot more out of the detailed reports (like the octopus is on the left side of Salt Pond) than I do the general stuff. If I have time to read TR's I read them, if I don't, I don't.
My favorite reports are from the first timers whose writing exudes the absolute joy and awe of their virgin experience (pardon the pun) on island.
Reading reports like that bring a tear to my eye -- not only because their musings bring back my own fond memories of every trip I've ever had on STJ but because it brings me real joy to know that STJ made yet another person or family happy.
There's so much crappy in the world and I for one am grateful to anyone who counterbalances the crappy with true joy and personal insight -- no matter how benign it may be to others.
I'm thinking Ruth or Anthony or the Jolly Dog folks should start selling St. John T-shirts that say, "I get it."
A giant forum (((HUG))) to you all!!
Last edited by Gromit on Thu Aug 14, 2008 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
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California Girl