Who here uses thorntree?

breadmonkey

Just saw a poster mention thorntree in another thread and reminded me that I meant to start this thread ages ago.

I've tried to get advice there numerous times and every time without fail I've simply run into a bunch of total cnuts. All I've ever gotten are childish, smart assed comments. It seems to me that the forums are populated entirely by smug know-it-all travellers.

So, that's been my experience, what about YOU?

Arcee

breadmonkey wrote: »

Just saw a poster mention thorntree in another thread and reminded me that I meant to start this thread ages ago.

I've tried to get advice there numerous times and every time without fail I've simply run into a bunch of total cnuts. All I've ever gotten are childish, smart assed comments. It seems to me that the forums are populated entirely by smug know-it-all travellers.

So, that's been my experience, what about YOU?

I've used the forum a few times and have been lucky enough not to come across any nasty people. I've only really used the Asia section though so can't speak for all the others. I've found people to be quite responsive although the only complaint I have is that people don't seem to be all that knowledgeable on some occasions. I've had responses, but sometimes haven't learned much from them.

mac123

yeah iv used it a few times. it was helpful when looking for info on indonesia and canada. i know what you mean about some of the posters tho, some total a$$holes on it! try www.travellerspoint.com. a bit friendlier on that!

dory

I gave up on thorntree because I found it full of unanswered posts. I like reading older posts for answers but there were none there. And yea, the few that do reply seem to be know it alls. I just found it to be a very hard to read forum, the layout and such. And the way a post didn't go back to the top when someone replied. That was a while ago not so not sure if it's still the case. I now use bootsnall.com, it was brilliant for my trip, but also a lot of knowitalls.
I think it stems from people either all going to the same place. How many '4 weeks in Thailand/Cambodia etc' threads have we seen? And therefore the regulars are sick of answering the same questions. Or else someone asks about Iran and people have nothing to say except "It sounds dangerous, don't go".

darrenh

i've been planning my trip round the world and while doing research i couldnt get over the amount of travel snobbery there is. people seem to think there are certain rules to traveling and if you dont travel that way you are not doing it right. i found www.travelblog.org to be the best site for information.

RATM

Yeah Ive used it quite a bit but would have to agree with other posters that there are some true knob jockeys posting on it. The Middle East forums seem to me to have the biggest amount for some reason. If you want a laugh go there and post some inane questions about 'Whats the story with the Israeli stamp' that have gotten asked a gazillion times before and see the response you'll get. :pac:

LaMer

I used it a couple of time, never got any smart arsed comments, just good advice. Suppose it depends what forum.

youcancallmeal

Like others have said the layout its insanely bad, if you start a thread its long down the list in a matter of hours. Also I've seen far too many threads descend into petty squabbling and even really aggressive/threatening responses. Doesn't seem to be anybody moderating? Search function isn't great either.

To sum up there are far better alternatives out there(Including here )

Larianne

Yeah, I've used it but just to look up info. I've never posted on it. As said before the layout is all over the place. It would be the last place I'd look if I couldn't find info on virtualtourist or tripadvisor, travelfish.org etc. It was useful enough find out about scuba diving but not so much for travelling in Thailand etc.

breadmonkey

Ah, good to know I'm not alone. I found the India section to be the worst by far (indiamike.com is very good if anyone's interested).

God bless vBulletin:)

Larianne

breadmonkey wrote: »

Ah, good to know I'm not alone. I found the India section to be the worst by far (indiamike.com is very good if anyone's interested).

God bless vBulletin:)

Yeah it would be the last place I look to double check things or If I can't find info out. Some amount of crap on there though!

v.e.r.b.a.l

Tried thorntree, bootsnall and gapyear before here and wasn't impressed. I still go back to bootsnall from time to time cos it's not the worst, but it's full of the "hardened traveller" and they don't usually take well to a first-time traveller like me (5 weeks to go - WOO!). The main problem with thorntree is that nobody answers your posts. It can be ok to look up similar questions, if you can manage their search function! Gapyear is just plain crap!

Thank god for boards!!!

Neamhshuntasach

Yeah it can be full of pr1cks. I´ve only posted once or twice asking about things and they are always smart arse replies. So i just use it to read other peoples posts.

mac123

if you wanna wind a few of them up on there, start a thread about where to stay in bkk besides the khao san rd...that gets some real smart ar$e replies!!

lemon_of_old

The expats are the worst. They think that cos they live there, they're so much better than someone travelling through the place and make loads of in jokes that only other expats will get. Wrecks my head. If I ever post, I make sure I've done a load of research first and can't get any answers anywhere else. The question that gets a load of stick is in the Thailand forum "I want to go to an island for 3 weeks but can't choose - what's the best place to go for some nightlife but also somewhere to chill out." It drives them crazy. Very funny.

RATM

lemon_of_old wrote: »

The expats are the worst. They think that cos they live there, they're so much better than someone travelling through the place and make loads of in jokes that only other expats will get. Wrecks my head. If I ever post, I make sure I've done a load of research first and can't get any answers anywhere else. The question that gets a load of stick is in the Thailand forum "I want to go to an island for 3 weeks but can't choose - what's the best place to go for some nightlife but also somewhere to chill out." It drives them crazy. Very funny.

+1 on that, especially on the Thailand branch. The funny thing is you just know in the back of your mind the only reason they are living in Thailand is because they don't fit in with society in their own countries and quite like the fact that as english teachers they are looked up to by Asians. The reality is they are not ex-pats, more so sex-pats, sad men who just go teaching in Thailand and other Asian nations to sleep with girls half their age. Excellent fodder for a wind-up !

S.M.B.

RATM wrote: »

+1 on that, especially on the Thailand branch. The funny thing is you just know in the back of your mind the only reason they are living in Thailand is because they don't fit in with society in their own countries and quite like the fact that as english teachers they are looked up to by Asians. The reality is they are not ex-pats, more so sex-pats, sad men who just go teaching in Thailand and other Asian nations to sleep with girls half their age. Excellent fodder for a wind-up !

while there's obviously a few posters on the thailand branch who match your description there is also some very nice and helpful folk there who i've had the pleasure of meeting

archer9

I agree-- for such a well established name like Lonely Planet, it is strange how many parts of the forum has turned into a gathering point for the nasty and vicious who don't seem to have anything better to do with their lives other than to pick unnecessary fights with each other in cyberspace.

It's not even that they are know-it-all travellers-- some of them seem so narrow-minded that you can't help question if they actually enjoy travelling.

Anyway, of all the travel forums I've been to, Thorn Tree easily rates as the most childish and petty of them all.

Oh, well. Thank goodness for choice. I've always found virtual tourist to be quite helpful

Neamhshuntasach

i prefer the 'i have a big cock and am looking for countries where the pussy's are very tight' threads. attracts all sorts of gary glitter wannabes.

LiamMc

Like other posters on this thread I have had the same experience on Lonely Planet TT and not in the threads mentioned but Africa and Europe threads. These people cling on tight to their area, whats the point of knowing about hotels, air routes or airlines with good prices if you don't pass on the information.