That is terrible news... he's one of the very few decent people here.

Was it something in particular that prompted this act, or just the cummulative effect of all that daily slurry?

Dr D.

The daily slurry has been disgusting lately.

That's such a shame!! Things can get soooooo nasty in the lounge!!!!

I'm really sorry to see that Clifton has left the Board. He is a lovely bloke with a good heart.

I've never really bothered with the Lounge as there does seem to be a lot of nastiness over there, often over the most trivial of issues, so have no idea what has been happening in the Lounge. Went to have a look today to see if I could work out why Clifton had left and couldn't believe some of the comments (completely unrelated to Clifton) about the "Switzerland gone Mad" post.

If you are reading this Clifton, all the best to you regardless of whether you decide to return or not.

Clifton is one of my favorite posters. Maybe he made a New Years' resolution to spend his time in a different way. Fodors can be a real time-suck.

All the best to you, Clifton! Happy Travels.

I hope he returns after a not too long hiatus!!

We miss you Clifton - YOu have a wonderful history here.

oh, NO. I did so enjoy discussing this and that with Clifton. But maybe he just needs a rest? I do hope so. Clifton, if you read this, I do wish you the best and hope you will return some day.

It is a strange thing... When posters I love such as Clifton or Cold leave us, I'm sad for myself not to be chuckling or chatting with them, but at the same time happy for them that they are busy with other things. Fodor's has its place, but let's face it, there is a big, beautiful world out there that does not have an orange and blue border on it. I hope Clifton has a great time away and of course I will welcome him back with joy and my Snoopy dance if/when he returns.

Sorry to read that Clifton has left Fodors. I do not usually check this forum, but came across it as a new topic. There appears to be nothing about this in the lounge.

Best wishes, Clifton. You will be missed.

Marianna

I'm just so sad and so shocked that Clifton has left!

His was the voice of reason and will be sorely missed. He was able to rise above the angry shouting and rationally and kindly "agree to disagree".

I'm afraid if more Fodorites like Clifton leave, there will be even more vile posts, even more cliquey behaviour, and bullying.

What can we do? Is there anything we can do to prevent this happening?

I've thought of de registering, too (not that I'm comparing myself to Clifton in any way), but will just wait. I've found even confining myself to reading posts I think will be OK can still raise the blood pressure as they take a nasty turn, often for no apparent reason.

The Lounge used to be interesting, challenging, fun and amusing. I don't understand the recent turn of events that caused Clifton to leave, but I sure know the tone has changed for the worst.

If you are reading this Clinton, please reconsider, even if you post only on the Australian page. As others have said, you have been a voice of reason on the Fodor forums & will be sorely missed.

gruezi, you are quite correct of course, there is a 'real world' in which we live, and we must always keep this in mind, since it helps to keep this forum in perspective.

Libretto, we can make the Lounge as challenging and amusing as we want, but inevitably that means cultivating the art of selective deafness, of reading and responding only to posts that one feels meet that 'challenging and amusing' criterion. And of course, to try to respond, oneself, only when one has an intact sense of humour. (That I don't always manage this myself, doesn't mean it isn't a good idea.)

How about just a Melbourne forum? All that Sydney chatter turned him off.

I'll miss him.

What are you doing here Cold? I'm a little surprised to see you here.

I'd happily start a Melbourne forum if it would bring Clifton back. He does live in Melbourne so it might work. Or we start an Australian Lounge with Aussie Rules.

We'd let you talk about 'curling' Cold but definitely no ice hockey. Definitely no politics unless it would be to deride our ranga Prime Minister.

I'd welcome other suggestions for topics that would be allowed.

Clifton was always the gentile tone in the lounge.
I hope he get lost will are that crap will return when we can get rid and those negative, selfish,attacking posters.

He is on Fodor's FB page, I think.

I'm very sorry to hear that he's left. I've been off Fodor's for a few months (living my life!) and I have been really shocked by some of the venom in the lounge.

No, no, no to a Melbourne only lounge!

Not altogether certain whether Clifton resides in Melbourne proper. Might there be a Mornington or a Dandenong South Forum? Aussie Rules still apply, of course!

While Clifton and I did not always agree, at least he would usually respond if challenged and do so honestly. I am sorry to see him gone. I would like to meet him in real life.

In addition to the vitriol being spewed about in the lounge, Clifton also expressed that he is quite simply very busy and thus was going to limit/deactivate his account here and spend time in more positive environments. I hope he returns, as he could express disagreement in a reasoned voice. Something others seem incapable of doing.

Yes, he does also visit Fodors Friends on Facebook. This is not an official Fodors site, just another place for Fodors people to interact, and generally much more civil. But it's not the same as also having him here

I've just realized that perhaps I should not have spoken for Clifton. Sorry.

No worries Toucan2, it's good to get an update.

Thanks for the update. Clifton is the canary in the mineshaft for me. When he thinks enough is enough you have to pay attention.

I wonder if canary in the mineshaft means anything to people in Australia/NZ.

Totally cold and actually I think that that is a very good analogy.

Dearie me you're being sensible. I'm not used to that!

Uh oh. Is there another defection in our midst??

I have given up on contributing to the Lounge. The threads about what sort of toothbrush to buy, or how much to pay a dog sitter don’t hold a lot of interest for me. Other threads seem to degenerate into name calling within a handful of posts. Watching those “conversations” is like watching a bunch of drunks fighting on the footpath outside my front window – observe maybe, but don’t get involved.

.... in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Yep, maybe Clifton is my canary.

I'm sorry to see Clifton go too, but I take his points. With the new year, I'll be busy elsewhere too.

I've made some great friends on Fodors and received trememdous help in my travel though, and will pop in to the travel boards from time to time to see if I can help anyone else.

And yes, Cold - the canary in a mineshaft is a well known term in the Antipodes, too ... although the vision of Clifton as a little yellow bird fluffing his feathers & flapping his wings as he twitters away doesn't quite fit the Clifton we had such an enjoyable dinner in Melbourne with a couple of years ago!

Perhaps those on Facebook may kindly provide a link so we can catch up with him there occasionally.

Stormbird the last person to call me dearie was a nurse telling me "this won't hurt a bit". I have had trust issues since then.

Speaking of nurses ... Gruezi I can't go anywhere as I have too many travel questions. Though the folks over in the Europe forum often seem a tad serious and refuse to offer any advice other than "Paris". And they aren't very good at playing spot the troll.

I can take the Lounge oddballs. I just don't get the people who fly off the handle and hurl 5-6 insults in one sentence. That's what three year olds do. I am starting to thing may be a factor with a few people.

That's funny I would mispell the word before . Innocent though. It's 4:40 in the morning here. Another day of enjoying 5 feet of snow.

Cold I wasn't actually calling you 'dearie' just the expression 'dearie me' - you can trust me ( wanna buy a watch?) but your suggestion of a drinkie or two being a problem could be correct but was wondering if everyone is going stir crazy over there cooped up with all that cold weather!

I want five feet of snow!

My theory is that since the Great Recession people have less travel money which causes all sorts of pent up anger and jealousy and boredom. Not to mention the re-using of paper towels.

Bokhara, there isn't a link per se. If you are on FB, search for Fodor's Friends. It's a Closed Group, so ask to be a member. You will be asked to verify that you are a Fodor's member, then bob's your uncle, you can read posts and share posts.

Stormbird - I believe you get to stuff as many people into a cubicle as possible. There is no top or bottom with more than three people inside.