Ever Find Yourself "Holding Your Tongue' When Folks on the Boards Ask for Advice ?

[Joshua_me]

I enjoy helping 'first timers' and others with information about all things in 'the world', but sometimes I wonder if I should just keep my mouth shut.

For example, when someone asks about things I can't stand at Disney, like Mickey's Backyard BBQ or dinner at The Coral Reef (two dreadful experiences, IMO ) I'm always tempted to tell them, "Run ! Stay away at all costs !" and such. But then I remember that some people really enjoy those things and by telling them not to go maybe I'm robbing them of an evening they'd really enjoy.

Not that they'd take my word all that seriously or anything, but maybe it would contribute to their deciding whether to go or not.

Do you think it's best to just not respond if you have a negative opinion about something and employ the "If you don't have anything nice to say..." rule, or do you think it's best to let them know how you feel about things ?

What do you do ?

 

[taylor3297]

I try not to say anything negative myself. Many times I have read how horrible a restaurant was to one family, but that same restaurant was fabulous to mine. If people ask about a preference between things, then I only state what I preferred and why and not say anything negative about the other places.

 

[danceintherain]

I usually preface, or conclude my statements with "you may like it though..." or something like that.
A lot of the time when I'm responding to people I like to remind them that these boards are only a place to get opinions from people with different perspectives.

I feel really bad for the people that start getting really nervous about their choices, because of all the bad reviews, but they really have to understand that for every bad experience someone has a good one.

 

[cocowum]

I enjoy helping 'first timers' and others with information about all things in 'the world', but sometimes I wonder if I should just keep my mouth shut.

For example, when someone asks about things I can't stand at Disney, like Mickey's Backyard BBQ or dinner at The Coral Reef (two dreadful experiences, IMO ) I'm always tempted to tell them, "Run ! Stay away at all costs !" and such. But then I remember that some people really enjoy those things and by telling them not to go maybe I'm robbing them of an evening they'd really enjoy.

Not that they'd take my word all that seriously or anything, but maybe it would contribute to their deciding whether to go or not.

Do you think it's best to just not respond if you have a negative opinion about something and employ the "If you don't have anything nice to say..." rule, or do you think it's best to let them know how you feel about things ?

What do you do ?

I try to follow the "If you don't have anything nice to say..." rule. I try not to be negative. <<<---Yep, that's me.

 

[rlduvall]

I never give a negative opinion here on the boards but more because I know of the pile-on that will come. Except . . . I recently mentioned that our air conditioning was not working properly in our studio room at the new AKV Kidani this June. Multiple people came on to tell me that either 1) I didn't know how to override the system [which I tried - it didn't work] or 2) That their room was perfectly fine and cool. [yeah, I'm happy for ya] Honestly, the majority of the people here on the boards truly do not want to hear anything negative about Disney. And if you do say anything, there will be 20 people to tell you why you are wrong.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

i enjoy helping 'first timers' and others with information about all things in 'the world', but sometimes i wonder if i should just keep my mouth shut.

For example, when someone asks about things i can't stand at disney, like mickey's backyard bbq or dinner at the coral reef (two dreadful experiences, imo ) i'm always tempted to tell them, "run ! Stay away at all costs !" and such. But then i remember that some people really enjoy those things and by telling them not to go maybe i'm robbing them of an evening they'd really enjoy.

Not that they'd take my word all that seriously or anything, but maybe it would contribute to their deciding whether to go or not.

Do you think it's best to just not respond if you have a negative opinion about something and employ the "if you don't have anything nice to say..." rule, or do you think it's best to let them know how you feel about things ?

What do you do ?

i wish someone would of warned me about "the coral reef" that place was terrible!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

If someone asks for your opinion then you should give it. I think they just want to get another opinion. If I ask, I want to know the good and the bad. IMHO

 

[Justin Jett]

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. I think telling someone of your personal experiences is the right thing to do. You can even preface it with "Based on my experience...." or something.

Take the podcast for example... They often have negative things to say about reviewed restaurants or attractions. They follow it up by saying "This is an opinion." There are people on the boards who enjoy that same restaurant or attraction. Movie and Play critics are the same way. The public may agree or disagree with a review or advice, but it is nice to know what to expect.

 

[teekee2]

If someone asks for your opinion then you should give it. I think they just want to get another opinion. If I ask, I want to know the good and the bad. IMHO

I would totally have to agree with you on this! Although at times it seems that most people only want to hear the "good", deep down I feel that they still want to hear if something isn't quite up to par. I mean, everything can't be good 24-7 can it?? Anyway, that's just IMO!

 

[DisneyKevin]

i wish someone would of warned me about "the coral reef" that place was terrible!

I'm plotzing.

Have I ever told you about the sad little crab cake?

 

[Justin Jett]

I'm plotzing.

Have I ever told you about the sad little crab cake?

 

[jpeka65844]

I tend to only respond to threads asking for advice about something I feel positively about. Disney has something for everyone and just b/c I don't enjoy some things, doesn't mean that nobody else will. I try not to bash others experiences.

I also don't ask for "is it worth it?" advice. If it's something I'm interested in and deem valuable for my family, then we do it; regardless of what anyone says......Therefore, we're probably going to do Ohana dinner in January. No Coral Reef, though.

I also am very reluctant to give advice to people I know that are planning Disney trips. I usually only offer advice when asked. Most people I've tried to help are appalled at the level of planning that's involved in making a healthy, eventful trip so after awhile they tend not to listen.

 

[WaltD4Me]

It depends on what it is and how the question is worded. I've given "less than glowing" opinions on some things. I usually tone it down though from what I might tell a friend who is looking for opinon or advice. I made the mistake once of giving my opinion of a hotel one time because it seemed the OP was definitely not looking for that kind of experience. My view didn't go over well, I may have been a bit too negative, so now, I'll still comment, but tone it down and make it shorter. Sometimes, I will send a PM rather than posting on the thread.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I try to temper my responses a bit and emphasize that it was only one time that I tried it, and others liked it, etc.

(For the record, I kinda like Coral Reef, but had a bad experience at California Grill this week, so it just goes to show ya! )

 

[SamSam]

The majority of time, I only respond if I have something positive to say. Yes, I like to hear the good and the bad, but I don't want to discourage someone from trying something that they may truly enjoy even if I didn't.

When we have newbies come with us to WDW (love doing that), we go on every ride and attraction (even the ones we don't care for) and let the newbies decide for themselves whether they enjoy it or not.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

If you ask for my opinion, I'm only too happy to give it to you. I think all experiences, good and bad, should be shared. I loved Coral Reef BTW. I've also been to Sci Fi three times and had a bad experience the second time. I would have been perfectly happy never going back. However, my DD wanted to go back again and we did and had a perfectly fine experience the third time. Go figure.

 

[mrzrich]

I am more likely to give my opinion to someone asking it on the DIS, than a co-worker or family member.

I feel like if somebody has invested the time and effort to find the DIS, register, so that they can post, and then start a thread asking for opinions, then I am glad to give them my opinion. I do usually steer them to look at dining reviews, photos, and trip reports from more than one person.

If a Newbie (or and Diser for that matter) asked about dinner at the Castle, I might steer them toward Kevin and Dave Parfitt's review of the blood clot pear.

On the other hand if a co-worker came up to me all excited about having diner in the Castle, I usually I am more likely to just smile, nod and tell them to have fun. When I expose my Disney Freak side to people who aren't looking for advice from a Disney Freak, their eyes usually glaze over and they start to slowly back away from me!

 

[kafitty]

Ever been to the Community Board?

i can't tell you how many times i've had to QUICKLY leave a thread before i opened my big stupid mouth, hahah. (Okay, we're online, but you know what i mean.)

i generally take advantage of the fact that online, written communication allows me to really think about what i'm going to say, review and edit, before putting my 2 cents in. My "real" life would be made so much easier if i could do that before i talked...

 

[robertgp124]

When I'm reading for information, the negative reviews can sometimes have the most information. Especially if it is well written, the negatives can often bring out more information than a glowing review. To pick on Kevin for a second - his reviews are always detailed and he explains why he didn't care for something. In listening and reading his reviews, sometimes I will think - well, that actually sounds like something I might like - definitely don't cross it off the list.

Sometimes a negative review can temper expectations and lead to a pleasant surprise.

Having said all this, I will sometimes hold my tongue as well. I think that unless you are as talented as some of you all are with explaining this (I am not!) - the visceral reaction in me that simply wants to type I HATE IT, I HATE IT, I HATE IT in all caps, isn't very productive or helpful.

 

[daneenm]

i wish someone would of warned me about "the coral reef" that place was terrible!

Case in point...we had one of the best meals of our trip at Coral Reef. We eat out frequently and have quite high expectations of our food and had nothing but good things to say about our food at CR and even better things to say about our server.

So, you just never know how someone else's experience is going to be.