12-12-2014, 06:41 PM
I'm glad you posted again, welcome back.
I never thought there was any restriction on the whereabouts of people who posted, just that the topics discussed are generally Puna & Hawaii oriented. We seem to have a fake Mexican on board, so I would think a genuine South Hilo resident is just as entitled to be here.
I don't believe anyone was particularly concerned with the details of how Tripadvisor works, they were more interested in the content. I think some of us believed the line between commentary & fact became blurred. For instance, we all say "it took forever to drive through that traffic" or "I was choking on that smoke" or "I'm starving." But generally, we understand in conversation those are just figures of speech. In writing them, however, they take on a more literal meaning.
My business doesn't depend on tourism in Puna, but I understand what it's like when you work for years to build up your customer base, only to have hurricanes, lava, and negative comments chip away at your livelihood. I don't know if you have ever run your own business, but it's not easy. There are so many variables beyond your control, and any one of them can make the difference between profit and a struggle to pay the bills. It's something a business owner has to worry about every single day.
Not everyone prefers a rural setting like Puna, but many do. I for instance don't understand why anyone would pay a penny to go to Las Vegas, but people seem to like the place. I certainly would never advise anyone not to go there, because I recognize some people like what the casinos offer.
What you say about the makeup of the Punaweb community is probably true, but it's true about the real world as well.
I never thought there was any restriction on the whereabouts of people who posted, just that the topics discussed are generally Puna & Hawaii oriented. We seem to have a fake Mexican on board, so I would think a genuine South Hilo resident is just as entitled to be here.
I don't believe anyone was particularly concerned with the details of how Tripadvisor works, they were more interested in the content. I think some of us believed the line between commentary & fact became blurred. For instance, we all say "it took forever to drive through that traffic" or "I was choking on that smoke" or "I'm starving." But generally, we understand in conversation those are just figures of speech. In writing them, however, they take on a more literal meaning.
My business doesn't depend on tourism in Puna, but I understand what it's like when you work for years to build up your customer base, only to have hurricanes, lava, and negative comments chip away at your livelihood. I don't know if you have ever run your own business, but it's not easy. There are so many variables beyond your control, and any one of them can make the difference between profit and a struggle to pay the bills. It's something a business owner has to worry about every single day.
Not everyone prefers a rural setting like Puna, but many do. I for instance don't understand why anyone would pay a penny to go to Las Vegas, but people seem to like the place. I certainly would never advise anyone not to go there, because I recognize some people like what the casinos offer.
What you say about the makeup of the Punaweb community is probably true, but it's true about the real world as well.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves