Miscellaneous Forum

Why are new posters to VT reluctant to give details of where they are from, what sex they are or what age they are?

Who wants ta know? 'n why?

I think a lot of them just find the site and want a quick answer. Since many never post again, I am not even sure they ever come back. I too wish they would provide some info because in many cases, it helps you answer their questions.

Richard and Kath! I now know where you're from but why hide your DOB?

Because they don't have enough time to create a profile and need a quick answer? It can be frustrating at times, especially when the question is visa related.

DOB is pretty irrelevant, imo (though it's nice to get birthday commenst, so I've put mine on).

Gender is a potential issue: if you are female (in particular) you can get some quite 'interesting' emails on any site. I'm not bothered by this (I simply delete them) but some women are.

Location is really useful, if they ask forum questions.

I think most people are just wary of giving away too much personal info until they 'know' a site (which is not, imo, a bad thing), and after that they probably just forget to update their homepage.

When I signed up I was about to have an empty profile but then I changed my mind and thought "wth?" and filled it up.

...and for those that aren't here for a "quick answer", they may think that this site may in some "sell their information"...not there there is much to be gained saying where you are from at least. I have often answered posted by asking where someone is from, because it can sometimes make a difference in the answer I give. I can give a better answer if I know someone's point of reference...especialy when someone asks a very vague question.

OK Mariel! I agree with you, but when the origonal poster comes back continualy with supplementry questions(as frequently happens) it would be nice to know who you are communicating with!

Kathy, I haven't had a a problem regarding harrasment on VT but I did think that this site was immune from such things.

Sorry Kathy, that last post was directed to J and not you personnaly!

Why should VT be immune?

It isn't, though it does an excellent job of deleting iffy members (which is more than can be said for most sites).

But the delete button is easy to use.

Sometimes a new site needs time to get cozy with :o)

Mind you, I do find that I normally shy away from posters who have minimal information on their Home-page...like yours Billy.

But at least you are prolific with albums so it is easier to take you as a seriously memder and not a fly-by-nighter :o)

Sorry Ray, you are correct regarding my homepage, my problem is that though I love my city, I don't know how to start selling it to other VTers!
It's just another city with it's good and bad!
I will try to amend this anomaly soon.
As the song says,
Give me just a little more time!

Your homepage is about you, not where you live. You make another poage for that (or not, if you live somewhere as boring as I do).

Get cracking!

'Course Billy but as J says:
It is you not Glasgow we care about :o)

....So wot's da story mate! :o)

I don't think age, nationality and sex are relevant informations.
But it will be easier to answer posts if people say about:
- kind of travel: budget, luxury, adventurous, conventional, out of the beaten path, etc..
- where they enter the country they intend to visit
- transportation: train, plane or car.

Claude

I think most people who stumble across VT and are looking for information may then stumble across the Forums and wish to ask a question. They don't know if they are going to get an answer, and they may be reluctant to invest much into VT until they have seen the value. I think that's the normal behaviour.

The thing is, we will shortly be letting people get an email notice when they have a reply so that they'll actually be coming back in pretty much all cases. I would assume that then, they might be more engaged and decide it's worth it to put more personal info on VT.

Ciao for now,

G

most people are not rude or ungrateful or malicious, they simply stumbled across here, and don't know what's going on yet...let's welcome them. Some portion of those are the future friends and interesting people on VT.

I disagree Claude. It is all relevant. For instance, when someone asks about nightlife in a place, the answer you give to a 20 something female would be different than what you give for a 70 something couple in most cases. Nationality is important because some countries treat some people certain ways because of their nationality....or may not even allow them to travel there at all. The sex of someone looking for a capsule hotel in Japan is very important to know. However, as G says, they are just looking for info and could be future VT friends.

I see what you mean...
But... when you are looking for a job: age, sex and nationality are widely considered as a risk of prejudice. It could be the same when speaking about travel needs.
Eg. are you sure a man of 30 years old has to be treated differently than a woman of 45, speaking of physical resistance, desire for adventurous travel and so on..

I agree with Al aka OldDude. To expound, I wouldn't recommend that a 70 y.o. couple do one of my favorite walks from central Paris to the Sacre Coeur and would be more inclined to tell a 20-something couple to do the same. Everyone has their reasons, so generally when someone asks a question which may require their age or gender, I just ask them in the same thread or shoot them an e-mail. They'll respond if they're really interested in an answer.

I include a lot of personal info except: Complete d.o.b., exact town I live and full name for identity theft protection (some of my vt friends have that).
My gender because I got a lot of bogus romantic propositions when I first joined.

...but Claude, the same things can happen during travel as in the job search. For example, the mother of one our current presidential candidates was recently denied a car rental in Italy because of her age. She is 94 and the rental agency refused to rent a vehicle to her....said she was too old. You know what she did about it? She went to the nearest car dealer and purchased a car to use during her stay in Italy. She then proceeded to drive right up to that rental agency and give them a piece of her mind! She sold the car before she left Italy and had a wonderful trip. So you see, everyone is not as enlightened as we here on VT are. Guess what...discrimination does exist in the world...all kinds. Therefore, whatever info a potential traveler and friend of VT offers, will only make the answers to their trip better.

Sorry Maestroumsmc... what you say is prejudice.
If your 70 years old couple like to walk and say they want to walk. You'll tell them they are too old?

I would like to meet this woman...
Of course discrimination exists everywhere, but I don't give the discriminators more weapons..

I'm not prejudging anything. But like all travelers, regardless of age or gender have specific requirements and its incumbent upon me to provide an accurate well-rounded reply to those who inquire. I would certainly expect the same. We can sit here and talk semantics but it's quite simple. If you want to know, ask.

...but Claude, you miss the point. Good answers to someone's questions, gives the discriminated some defense against the discriminators and therefore avoid some unhappy travel experiences.

Billy: agree totally.

I think nationality is relevant if someone's asking for visa related questions. The rules for an European citizen doesn't always apply to a Dominican one (taking me as an example).

One doesn't even have to write the whole name or city, one can always choose to write the country one lives in.

I'm not bothered by the gender, age thing..not even a picture is a requisite if I'm answering an honest question.
To me, it would be no different than a tourist asking (or me offering if I see them lost) directions.

VT is a community based on voluntary tips and our genuine desire to share our experience...it doesn't matter to me whether you're 25 or 50 or M or F.
I do find place of origin a bigger requisite especially when they're asking to compare value/price comparison or the infamous: "Is it dangerous" question about a country.

I find I'm more bothered by members who have been members for a lengthy period of time (over 6 months say), have posted and participated yet haven't gone through the motions of building up pages!
Your heart is either in it or, it's not.
Otherwise, I view these members as someone who are just here to pass the time away or, "cruise" the social section of VT

This issue comes up again and again. I suggest a 'Welcome Pack' to say things like - list your country before you ask about visas.

I could do this for $10 each. Economical I know, but I'm nice like that.

Also, you could do the odd greetings. Ever get bored?

Go to the new members on our home page and greet a few while still on line. I do it a one or 2 are still on my friends list. At least 1 of the 1 million is!

All the best people.

DAO

I don't put down the date of birth for ID theft reasons - I know that seems strange since there is enough info about me here and on my external page, which is linked, to practically know how much I weighed at birth and the hospital I was born in, but I do like to keep some things from public viewing. If I were posting something in a forum where knowing my age was important, I would give my age - BTW I will be 60 this year and would love a virtual VT party.

I like the people who will not even put their country. 'I live in Europe' etc.

I posted a forum question to ask these people why?

Responses: Zero