Regional Questions

[Claire]

I'm not sure where to post this, but a lot of people, especially newbies, as questions that can't be answered if we don't have a clue as to where they live. Believe me, I understand reluctance with giving out too much information on-line. But After giving advice to someone about ingredients I find out they live somewhere it simply isn't available; and receiving advice that tells me this or that ingredient is available "everywhere" in a grocery store from someone in New York or California, Heck, I get frustrated. So give us an idea of where you live, and if you're giving a recipe or suggested of your specific ethnic background, where you, your family, or ancestors originated. You are much more likely to get useful help that way!

[Zhizara]

I agree. Thank you for posting this. It bothers me too. It is safe too, especially when you're using a nickname. Someone will say something in a post, especially the weather thread, so that I'm curious where they live, but often find it's not shown.

Just a generalized location would be fine, (Northern California, coastal Texas, etc.) It often explains comments in their posts.

[pacanis]

Ditto. I read something earlier today and had no idea where the member was talking about. Not that it really mattered, but it would have been nice to know, lol.

[Uncle Bob]

+ 100 To everything!! ~~~~ It should be required at registration to at least say what State you live in....

[GB]

I do not think it should be a requirement at all. Everyone has varying levels of trust and fear. Some people have stalkers. Some people are very private. The option is there for people who are comfortable giving out info like that and for those not comfortable they can remain as anonymous as they like.

[LindaZ]

Maybe just give a general world location like USA, Europe, Asia - that might help if someone doesn't want to be specific.

[GB]

People already have the option to do do, but they also have the option not to show that if they are not even comfortable with that.

[Selkie]

I agree with GB. Although I have no particular reason to disguise or otherwise not list my exact location, I feel I should have full control over what personal information I disclose and to whom.

[pacanis]

I don't think of it so much as a requirement as I do simply being polite.
If you are going to mention local places or join in on the weather thread and similar, it would be nice to know.

[Uncle Bob]

I disagree.....Saying you live in Texas, or the S.W. US, or California is not an invasion of one's privacy...By not choosing the "option"/"requirement" a member is often times limiting the quality and quantity of responses they receive to inquires...

My name is Slim.... I Live in Texas ~~ Come find me!!

[GB]

It sounds like you have never had to deal with a stalker or someone harassing you online UB.

[Andy M.]

It's even more complex when you consider we have a worldwide membership. Sometimes a member asks a question and it seems simple on the surface until they reveal they live in Nepal or Afghanistan, or elsewhere.

It is often good and helpful to know but certainly not a requirement.

On a connected subject, posters often ask a question with no background info. "Why did my cake turn out so bad?". Help us with a recipe, substitutions you made, etc.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by GB

It sounds like you have never had to deal with a stalker or someone harassing you online UB.

I have not GB ....If I began to "harass" Selkie online here....How long would that be tolerated?

Also agree with Andy about the lack of pertinent information in some (many) requests for information..."I made my soup the same way I always have, but it tasted funny...Help me! What did I do wrong?

[Selkie]

Uncle Bob, you go right ahead... I've got a thick skin, a sense of humor, and watch cat to guard the front door.

And by the way, I live in N.W. Arkansas, 30 minutes south from Branson, Missouri. Unless you carry a gun rack in the rear window of your pickup truck, and have a primered but unpainted driver's door (just the door) you had better be out of town by sunset.

[Andy M.]

Originally Posted by Selkie

...and watch cat to guard the front door.

Better change my plans, I'm allergic to cats!

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Selkie

Uncle Bob, you go right ahead... I've got a thick skin, a sense of humor, and watch cat to guard the front door.

Yikes I'm afraid of cats! ~~ Seriously I have no intention of harassing you or anyone, but if I did, and it were reported (which anyone should do)...How long do you think my membership would be valid here?? My guess, about as long as it would take for your Watch Cat to say Meow!

[spork]

cats... hmm... okay, let me pocket that in case I ever need to harass Uncle Bob... next to my file of Texas jokes.

Regional info helps, yes, but nothing I can do about it. So, I just try and read everyone's post as openly as I can, with the assumption that the member could be anyone from anywhere (and not excluding someone with malice). I figure eventually after a hundred or so postings, I'll have better sense of who and where and can offer replies with consideration. It's not a big deal.

I have been wanting a discussion thread of seasonal produce announcements. Like, when Alaska's salmon harvest starts, when Florida's citrus crops are done, when New Zealand's apples arrives in the U.S., etc. There's definite value to Regional Questions.

[Zhizara]

I have been subject to a stalker, and moved to get away. I didn't show my correct location for almost a year, when I realized he didn't know my screen name and that my current location was relevant to this forum.

I agree that it shouldn't be a requirement, but am glad to hear others mention the source of some frustration for me. I had been thinking of making some kind of thread addressing the question.

I just hope that others will consider sharing their locations.

Paraphrasing Uncle Bob, I'm Zhizara from NOLA. I don't see how anyone could find me with that information.

[pacanis]

I had to read your posts for a couple weeks to realize where NOLA was.
Just call me a slow yankee, lol.

Spork, you forgot someone from GA to let us know when Vidalia onions become available

[Alix]

You guys are all so helpful to others! Perhaps when you go to answer a question and you feel you need more info, you could ask the poster? Often people stop by for just a short time to get their question answered and don't realize how much information they need to offer in order to get help.