Everyone has something to bring to the table. A free exchange of ideas, experiences, and opinions is a GOOD thing. You don’t have to sample each dish.

MJG — I am digging the sidewalk anology..

However, it reminds me:

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
–Shel Silverstein

Yes, but I think what this means is experiencing something yourself is the best way to learn, not that blindly heeding the advice of the person with the most experience is best. Plus, experience being a great teacher does not mean that everyone has the good sense to learn from it. I know some very “experienced” people who experience hardships and trials over and over again, in part because they make the same bad decisions over and over again (not saying that’s true of most people who go through tough times — just that not everyone learns from experience). As I’m sure catlady can attest, the greatest teacher in the world can’t force someone to learn. I love reading catlady’s posts. Sometimes I agree with her, sometimes not, but what she says is always thoughtful and interesting. Then again, so are new mom’s posts, and apparently, she is less “experienced”. In fact, I think the vast majority of people who contribute here have good points to make and give me a lot to think about, especially when I disagree with them because that makes me reconsider/question my own opinions and think more about why I feel the way I do. I think many others feel the same way and that’s why we find the idea of one contributor taking it upon herself to continually assign degree of validity to other posters to be…well, obnoxious and condescending.

MJG, you trust some people’s advice more than others — everyone does. But instead of continuing to come back and explaining over and over again why you said yours or someone else’s posts are more or less valid than others in defending yourself when others say your tone is condescending, could you step back and consider that maybe you are actually being condescending? And then maybe make an effort to stop doing that? I think you’ll find that if you drop the authoritarian tone and just post your opinions and well thought-out reasons behind them, beyond stating that you trust the “experts” (who often don’t all agree with each other) or listing your customer satisfaction reviews (I think most people here probably get good ratings at their jobs), then people will be far more receptive to what you’re saying and may even feel you are listening to them too.

Yes, I am almost 50 and have seen more than some. There are also things I do not know anything about.

I have used the sidewalk illustration at educational venues many time and it is welcomed and embraced. Guess not so much here…no biggy. As I mentioned before, my Dad always said “experience is the best teacher”. I ( maybe it is just me) think that age ( more trips on the sidewalk) produces deeper experiences and perhaps more wisdom….not always. Kind of like a parent of 4 children would probably know more than me…a parent of 2 children. Do not get me started on the Duggars…they have lost their minds IMHO…hahaha!

I will also say that there are some on this blog who I would not trust for an opinion on a milkshake…that is just me and I know they will never adhere to what I have to say either…. good enough. Agree to disagree. I have a very good friend who detests sweet tea….we are still friends….imagine it.

Have fun….

GA Girl got what I was saying.

When you say you think so and so (no disrespect to Catlady, I like her comments too) than others on the board, it comes off as pretenious (sp?) snobbry. It actually devalues the very thing you are trying to promote.

I say this with all kindness, because in general we do like you, and we do appreciate your comments. Even the quirky little LOL etc, that makes me chuckle and think ‘that lady might just be a little batty enough to be fun!’–despite the fact that she may be a little further up the sidewalk than I am. (Do not be insulted by the ‘batty’, I am happy to be a bit off center myself).

Keep posting, just don’t be so quick to dismiss someone on a different part of the sidewalk, or even a differnt street. As for me, I think I will go play in the parenting traffic…it doesn’t count if you get hit while between the yellow lines!