Sorry That I Upset So Many

Perhaps with the tumultuous issues in Egypt, this shouldn't have such a monumental effect on me, and yet:

Thanks for any of those words of support.. I have just decided to stay off the Forum permanently. My writings seems to be taken the wrong way, and the responses always make me feel bad about myself. I realize my personality is not a good fit for Louisville, and I am here to support my wife and just try to survive in a city that cannot accept my persona with open arms. I guess keeping a low profile is the way to go, I will try not to suggest any changes that I believe would help Louisville's future fortunes. I was hoping to do some development here, but now realize my concepts will have an uphill battle being accepted. Perhaps I need to turn to Indianapolis, Lexington, or Cincinnati for development possibilities. It will be a difficult existence, but my wife is worth it. Thanks again. Phil

Oh Phil, dont go. While sometimes we all step over the line there are other times some people are way too sensitive. You should stick around.

Hey, you didn't upset me one bit. Hope you change your mind.
Redwinger

You didn't upset me. I might make smart-ass comments back to items you post, but, be assured, you didn't upset me.

I was going to post in the other thread that we should have an offline where you present all your "changes to Louisville." People could cheer, or boo, or throw tomatoes. I think it would be cathartic for all.

oh well, c'est la vie!

Thanks for any of those words of support.. I have just decided to stay off the Forum permanently. My writings seems to be taken the wrong way, and the responses always make me feel bad about myself. I realize my personality is not a good fit for Louisville, and I am here to support my wife and just try to survive in a city that cannot accept my persona with open arms.

Seriously??? This message board does not represent the entire personality of people from Louisville. I am a "foodie. " However, I know not to go to one of the hotbytes offlines, because I would not fit in. That doesn't mean I don't fit into this city. I have plenty of spots where I am welcomed AND my personality fits right. You gave up on Louisville because of this message board?

[Robin Garr]

I know not to go to one of the hotbytes offlines, because I would not fit in.

Do you really feel that way, Sue? I'm sorry if so, and doubly sorry you chose to act on that assumption without opening a conversation about it. Why do you think you wouldn't fit in? You've never been abrasive or annoying in your posts here.

Perhaps with the tumultuous issues in Egypt, this shouldn't have such a monumental effect on me, and yet:

Thanks for any of those words of support.. I have just decided to stay off the Forum permanently. My writings seems to be taken the wrong way, and the responses always make me feel bad about myself. I realize my personality is not a good fit for Louisville, and I am here to support my wife and just try to survive in a city that cannot accept my persona with open arms. I guess keeping a low profile is the way to go, I will try not to suggest any changes that I believe would help Louisville's future fortunes. I was hoping to do some development here, but now realize my concepts will have an uphill battle being accepted. Perhaps I need to turn to Indianapolis, Lexington, or Cincinnati for development possibilities. It will be a difficult existence, but my wife is worth it. Thanks again. Phil

So you lasted less than a month since your grand return. For a guy that likes to rattle cages, you sure have thin skin. I hope you find the correct forum for your opinions. Thanks for playing.

I have to agree with David...if you are going to dish "it" out, you'd better be prepared to take "some" in return.

Phil, while you never upset me, I have not been in agreement with your views all of the time. However, I certainly think you have the right to express those views...good, bad, right, wrong or indifferent.

I would add that someone expressing a difference of opinion or a contradictory viewpoint does not necessarily equate to defensiveness.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck. DD

Post edited because ---- why bother--- set in.

I know not to go to one of the hotbytes offlines, because I would not fit in.

Do you really feel that way, Sue? I'm sorry if so, and doubly sorry you chose to act on that assumption without opening a conversation about it. Why do you think you wouldn't fit in? You've never been abrasive or annoying in your posts here.

Yeah Sue, why wouldn't you fit in ? Do have like "Cooties" or something ? It'd have to be something really bad not to fit in (publicly) with this crowd.

You're safe at Offlines as long as you don't sit next to anyone named Steve. They tend to bite.

Phil, Don't you dare leave this forum. Your points are valid, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

What I have learned about you, me, and Annemarie is that we are "no holds barred" and speak our minds. It is nature and nurture that drives us in our everyday lives. Nature being that we are self reliant, strong, and independent. Empathy is not our strong suits, but we are very generous. Nurture, because we were born and raised in NY (me being from Queens, and AM from Little Italy) we tend to have a scrappy demeanor, and survival mode was to speak up (sometimes in a VERY colorful way).

I do not think that all folks in the 'Ville are like the people and their behaviors that we find most irritating.
Let's take David Pierce and Numbus (oops) Nimbus for instance. David said "thanks for Playing" and immediately dismissed you because you sort of went soft, you got to stick to your convictions.
If you feel strongly about something, stay with that feeling, and maybe, just maybe you can affect change! Nimbus, he wants to be Mayor, he rants and raves, but he speaks his mind, and does not hold it in and hit you with it later after it's all built up inside. (Hey, isn't he from South Africa?) Not a native Louisvillain.

I do find that people on this forum seem to vote the party line when it comes to restaurants, and food simply because they have met the chef, or know the bartender. There have been some posts here raving about a restaurant simply because they are new, some of the people that rave about them, have never stepped foot in them! Some of the restaurants they rave about , just plain suck.

G-d forbid you should say anything negative about a restaurant, or their staff, because it is unthinkable that any restaurant in Louisville could possibly be lacking service, or their food is just not edible. I have been borderline accused of being a liar about when I posted about Jeff Ruby's . I have posted good thing about Seviche, Volare, Diorios, Wild eggs, Simply Thai, and nairy a response. Hmmmm,

Just keep the threads coming Phil, but lets keep in mind, we cannot talk out of both sides of our mouths, and we need to keep the personal barbs to ourselves, and we should be okay.

I remain.

I have just decided to stay off the Forum permanently. My writings seems to be taken the wrong way, and the responses always make me feel bad about myself.

Dude,

You can't go yet...You just cost me at least a hundred bucks and I need to figure out a way to get it back.

Seriously...don't be a such a little Sally...get in here and scrap with the rest of us. Hell man, I've posted a lot of things that have p***ed people off and on occasion I've got my a** jumped for it (and rightfully so)...but you don't see me running off like a little girl because of it. You just learn to make your amends and go on to the next big thing.

Do you really feel that way, Sue? I'm sorry if so, and doubly sorry you chose to act on that assumption without opening a conversation about it. Why do you think you wouldn't fit in? You've never been abrasive or annoying in your posts here.

Robin, there is no need to apologize! We are all individuals with different tastes and interests. Some I agree with and others I don't. Does that make anyone a bad person? Of course not. I read this site a couple of times a day. I keep a lot of my comments to myself as this forum is more of a helpful tool for me to see what is new in the local restaurant industry. My ultimate views can vary a lot than what is being said on here. Many people are praised on here as well. I know a lot of these people and to myself I think "What are these forumites thinking?!?" It's all good, I love this site! But, in real life, at an event, I would not be comfortable holding back.
That being said, Phil passing judgment on this city seems a little shallow to me. For someone who came to this board boasting on how well traveled he is, he seems more like an "attention getter" once again to shoot down opinions that don't coincide with his and to "stomp off the play ground" like a spoiled child. Phil, if you are reading this, Louisville has a lot of different groups of people in this city, we are not clones. Sooner or later, you will find one you feel comfortable in.

[Robin Garr]

Sue, thanks for the follow-up. I would feel just awful about anyone feeling unwelcome or "unsafe" at any forum gathering. It really is my hope that the forum be inclusive, with room for all, and that goes double for any social, real-people events. We have never had a fight break out yet.

I do hope that you'll reconsider showing up for a real-world offline some time and put us to the test. If you feel you have to leave early, I'll pay for your cab.

And for what it's worth, I would also point out that the LAST time Phil orbited through the forum, we organized the famous Hats On Offline specifically to welcome him and to recognize his point of view on a contentious issue. We all had a lot of fun, and to the best of my recollection nobody punched the man or even said an unkind word to him. I'm sure we could do as well by you ...

Robin, there is no need to apologize! We are all individuals with different tastes and interests. Some I agree with and others I don't. Does that make anyone a bad person? Of course not. I read this site a couple of times a day. I keep a lot of my comments to myself as this forum is more of a helpful tool for me to see what is new in the local restaurant industry. My ultimate views can vary a lot than what is being said on here. Many people are praised on here as well. I know a lot of these people and to myself I think "What are these forumites thinking?!?" It's all good, I love this site! But, in real life, at an event, I would not be comfortable holding back.