Take heart, Dave...you're not the only one!

[inkkognito]

Dave, I was thinking of you today as I read my email. I received a message from someone who read my last trip report and was offended by my description of a family with enough luggage to clothe an army (they were waiting for the hotel shuttle the night before the cruise). She took it as being anti-family, although my intention was to show why they wouldn't fit in the shuttle with the other people waiting. Obviously she's never seen hubby and I when we're packed for a 7-day cruise...I think we pack most of our closet.
But the funniest thing was, the person said that it was unprofessional and they wouldn't expect to see that in professional writing. Maybe not, but my website is pure hobby! I try to avoid offending people (at least most of the time), but hubby and I pay for the hosting space so it's a totally unprofessional place to publish my rantings. I guess I should feel honored that anyone would mistake it for unprofessional.
So hang in there, Dave...I get 'em too! Not as bad as yours, but at least she didn't accuse you of not maintaining your professionalism.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Michelle]

Oh GEEZ, Barb, some people really need to get a life.

I read that trip report and in no way did I interpret your comment to be anti-family...just anti-trying to cram a bunch of people with too many bags into a shuttle van!

I'm glad you let it roll off your back -- you and Tony have a great site and everyone knows it.

 

[KathyT]

Don't take this person's views to heart. I love to read your posts. I visit your site and Dave's often. It's because of your great websites that I am finally taking my first cruise. Your website are great and very informative. I love them.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Hmmmmmm, I didn't interpret your comment to be anti-family either.

I like your site too Barb (as well as everyone else does, of course) When we booked our cruise, I booked a porthole room, thanks to you!! Very informative and I enjoy looking at it often. I even have it bookmarked

You should see how I pack for the Family! We have enough for 2 Families! I need to learn to PACK LESS!!! LOL

Debbie

 

[CarolA]

Barb,
Maybe your poster was the family. LOL! I do see people with lots of luggage who are not prepared to deal with it and I think it is funny! I was in the rental car area of the garage one day with a family of four who had rented a compact. They had about 10 suitcases and there was NO WAY. The wife was screaming at the husband who kept saying that the "guidebooks" say that you can always get a free upgrade because there are not really that many compacts. All in all, it was hysterical, but I left because I was afraid the wife and daughters were going to do bodily damage to dad.

 

[Lisa F]

You should tell them that you are not anti-family... if there were no families with tons of luggage, you would have one less thing to laugh at!

We packed a lot for our cruise also but we also spent a week in florida with the unpredictable weather beforehand. Sweaters, tshirts, full winter coats... you name it, we had it (after spending NYE in record breaking 27 degree weather at Epcot, we were prepared for the worst). If someone had laughed at our pile of luggage I would've laughed right along with them!

Lisa

 

[AnnMorin]

you go on a bizillion Disney cruises and you have no children (ok no human children ) but somehow you are anti family?
I think your site is a God send, as is Dave's, please don't let an idiot make you feel like it is not.
Goodness there are always "evil doers" out there trying to ruin the pleasent times of others.
I for one thank you greatly for all you do!

 

[RellingTwin]

Quote:I try to avoid offending people

There was a very funny "South Park" episode about the children doing a Christmas play. The Mayor did not want to offend anyone so they began removing ANYTHING offensive from the play.
No Christmas Trees..might offend "tree hugger"
No mention of Christ.....might offend non Christians
No blinking lights.......might offend Epileptics....
you get the idea!
The kids wound up in grey "blob" costumes, "wiggling" to minimalistic music!

Lesson learned...it is impossible to avoid offending everyone, unless you do nothing!

Love your sites Barb/Tony and Dave!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The letter I got wasn't really all that bad, Barb. There was the "maybe you should get a new hobby" comment, but the writer's frustration was really directed at DCL, not at me.

Actually, I got a follow-up response to my reply to the letter writer. She'd cooled off considerably and had some useful comments.

Gotta' say, though, it is funny to be told you're "unprofessional" when you're writing as a hobby and not professionally.

 

[inkkognito]

I got a nice follow-up too. I explained to the writer that my site is a hobby, with my own editorial rantings, although I hadn't meant my comments to be a cut on anyone. She sent back a very nice note. I think sometimes people just need to vent or express their opinion. Just another valuable service that we prove to the public...sympathetic ear.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hey here,
Sometimes I sincerely believe that just some very small portion of people just don't stop and think before writing - I call it disdirected anger - I have received letters asking me what was my "take" on suggesting or recommending different places here in Brevard County, Key West, Orlando etc or was I racking up customers for gift baskets by offering humane gesture or advise as per not paying for advertisment in my "local" newpaper - sometimes the letters were very direct and sometimes my feelings were hurt but then I decided I did not have to explain my actions any longer as long as I knew it was something I enjoyed doing ----aka "my hobby"
Dave, Barb and all of those that take the time to answer so many questions - take the time to put in all down in black and while, to me is someone that deserves a lot of hugssssssss.
Thanks for all that each offer.
Luv ya mucho
always
Shirley

 

[jel0511]

Barb - As a mother of 2, I didn't feel you comments were anti-family. I actually know how hard it is to travel with children and carry tons of luggage, so I try to only have 3 or 4 bags for all 4 of us!!! Luckily, my children are still little (5 and 2) so they really don't have much say in what gets packed!!! As they get older though, they'll get one bag each, and they can pack what they want, but if they run out of clothes, it won't be my fault!!! When DH and I went on our honeymoon to Hawaii, we bought 6 suitcases for the 2 of us!!! We horribly overpacked, and are trying to reform!!! I have seen what you referred to and I actually had a good chuckle while reading your report!!!

 

[Dean]

Maybe it was the people you wrote about.

 

[jrabbit]

I thought that this thread might have more information re: the staff orgies here....DANG!!

 

[mrsltg]

Geez Barb! Some people! I laughed when I was reading the part about the luggage thinking to myself, "was I in Florida then?" If you're anti-family for making comments about too much luggage, I'd better have a LONG talk with DH about his attitudes!

Erin

 

[GoofyDisney]

Barb...you'd think it would occur to someone that a couple who has cruised with Disney 7, 422 times is definitely NOT anti-family!

And again, I will say....I am so glad you have the hobby you have!!! Thanks for all you give to all of us!!!

 

[abitjaded]

Barb, I know it wasn't us you saw, but it could have been.

One of the reasons why we don't take public shuttles OR rent sub-compact cars: Seven people, two bags each, a carry-on each, the lap-top, the cameras (digital, SLR video and quick-shot) and binoculars, the dive bag, the golf clubs, the walker....Last time we had to bungee cord the wheelchair to the top of the van (and no, Grandma, was not IN the wheelchair, her name isn't Imogene Coca). I also had to use my rear-end to shut the back of the van once, and caved in the back. The rental car company threatened to charge us for the dent, but I invited them to try it themselves and see how easily it was to dent it.....Word to the wise.

We have a local van driver now who knows us, he knows how much junk we have and drives a 15 passenger van to get us....

And I still usually have to do laundry on vacation. My SIL calls us "The nitwits on vacation".

Carla

 

[Tesabat]

Carla -

And I still usually have to do laundry on vacation. My SIL calls us "The nitwits on vacation".

OMG - that's funny. I felt the same way when I showed up with my extended family in tow at the AKL last year. I think my Sister took up a luggage bag just with her jewelry!!

Barb - you are one of the other sites I visit faithfully. I read that trip report. Actually chuckled at the reference. If she's looking for couples that are cruise critics without children, She ought to visit another website...

 

[PizzieDuster]

Originally posted by Dave_from_Marietta
The letter I got wasn't really all that bad, Barb. There was the "maybe you should get a new hobby" comment, but the writer's frustration was really directed at DCL, not at me.

Actually, I got a follow-up response to my reply to the letter writer. She'd cooled off considerably and had some useful comments.

Gotta' say, though, it is funny to be told you're "unprofessional" when you're writing as a hobby and not professionally.

Well, it was bad enough to start a whole thread

Dave & Barb, never ever ever stop giving ! If you both had stopped giving then maybe I wouldn't have made the decision to cruise DCL! You may underestimate how much we appreciate your sites! Mucho much! xxooxxooxxoo

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by PizzieDuster

Originally posted by Dave_from_Marietta
The letter I got wasn't really all that bad, Barb.

Well, it was bad enough to start a whole thread

Yes, but if I'd edited out the lady's comment about orgies, I'll bet there wouldn't have been even half as much response!