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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: GaKaye]
#77444
12/05/2015 10:41 AM
12/05/2015 10:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 575 New Jersey
ProfLangue
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GaKaye said: We stay on the Dutch side, and spend more beach days on the French side than the Dutch. In the past 4 or 5 years, we eat more evening meals on the Dutch side, while we used to eat many more on the French side. I couldn't have said it better <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: ProfLangue]
#77445
12/05/2015 01:15 PM
12/05/2015 01:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 46 Raleigh, NC
RaleighToSXM
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okay, here are the new totals after day 2: 75 responders by my count.
42 lodge on French side 32 lodge on Dutch side
22 spend most of time on Dutch side 47 spend most of time on French side
The time spent numbers are not an accurate representation of anything though. It seems a lot of people eat on the French side, shop on the Dutch side, obviously can only gamble on the Dutch side, etc.
The lodging is pretty close to an even split, but I think someone had suggested that there was more lodging available on the Dutch side, than on the French side. Yet this small sample shows more people using French lodging? Is it possible that the active forum members who have taken time to respond are the ones more attracted to the French side? And if so, why would it be that way?
Earlier Pat had wondered how much of an influence the nude beaches were having in the responses (I have paraphrased her, but believe I have the kept her context).
I have some ideas for a follow up poll that touches on Pat's thoughts, but since some of it will be about the nude beach use, I am looking for a more anonymous approach so forum members will not feel uncomfortable or afraid to respond.
I will see what Carol has available. Stay tuned, and if you haven't responded to this poll, what are you waiting for? :-)
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: gotaluvit]
#77447
12/05/2015 02:46 PM
12/05/2015 02:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Honestly, you really need to check out more accomodations on the Dutch side, as there are PLENTY of really lovely places to stay on the Dutch side..
Carol Hill
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: gotaluvit]
#77449
12/05/2015 04:01 PM
12/05/2015 04:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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If somebody offers you that trip to stay on the Dutch side, give it to me! I have stayed on both sides and enjoy all of it. I would never pass up a free trip!!!!!
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: islandgem]
#77450
12/05/2015 04:23 PM
12/05/2015 04:23 PM
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Posts: 993 Pittsburgh PA
plequerre
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islandgem said: If somebody offers you that trip to stay on the Dutch side, give it to me! I have stayed on both sides and enjoy all of it. I would never pass up a free trip!!!!! You're second in line. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: Snorkeller]
#77451
12/05/2015 05:01 PM
12/05/2015 05:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,198 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
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Snorkeller said: I agree that this is an interesting thread. I am surprised by how many people on this board say that after arriving they never (or almost never) go to dutch side. and some say the same about the French side
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: islandgem]
#77455
12/06/2015 09:25 AM
12/06/2015 09:25 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 103
Susieville
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: RaleighToSXM]
#77456
12/06/2015 10:10 AM
12/06/2015 10:10 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,677 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Raleigh,
I started to say this yesterday and held back at the risk of seeming controversial but what the heck - why let a little political correctness get in the way.
We came to this island 43 years ago and our first stay was on the Dutch side of the island. But we visited and explored the French side freely, fast learning that beyond a few great restaurants and nice beaches, it didn't hold much of interest for us. But still, we kept enjoying it and with each year and each trip that passes, and with only one of them lodging on the French side of the island, we are still open to exploring it while lodging still on the Dutch side.
Those who say there is no charm or they'd rather stay home than visit EITHER side over the other are, IMO, missing out big time. There is much to explore and enjoy on both sides and while I'll readily admit, the over construction of the Dutch side wouldn't have been my plan for it, it is what it is, just as so very many areas on the French side are equally seedy and grungy in my eyes. But along with the over development and the seedy and grungy, if you take the time to explore BOTH sides, there really are equally incredible and enjoyable aspects to each.
The last few remnants of the gingerbread architecture need to be seen before it all rots away and is replaced with more concrete and glass, as do some of the more tucked away beach spots that so many will miss by limiting themselves to only one spot.
There was a time when people ONLY dined on the French side because that's where the 'really good restaurants' were but those days are done, too. Some if the best restaurants on the island are now to be found on the Dutch side and more are relocating there every day.
I'm not condemning or criticizing and I'm sure not saying either side is better or worse, but after 43 years and probably sixty plus stays, I still find something new on each side with every trip and wouldn't miss our island-wide travels for the world and I'd strongly advocate everyone should get out and explore ALL this island has to offer. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: pat]
#77457
12/06/2015 11:02 AM
12/06/2015 11:02 AM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 46 Raleigh, NC
RaleighToSXM
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Pat, That is the danger with a poll like this. The intent is just to find out which side of the island each person spends their time at, or the side THEY like better. But what happens is pretty soon it turns into an argument about which SIDE is better. And of course, that will turn into a very passionate debate, and we all know how that ends. IMHO, those debates are silly, since we all don't like the exact same things. Some like peace and quiet, others want bustle and party time. What is perfect for you, I may not like at all. And so it goes. It is hard to not respond when someone slights your personal favorite place, but I always look at it like this, "If someone says they would never go to xxxxxx, great by me, one less person I have to share it with." ;-)
My only experience with the Dutch side, is from what I've read in this forum. I have done the exact same thing on all 3 of my cruise stops. Hail a taxi, go to Club O, hail a taxi, get back on the ship. So not only do I know nothing about the Dutch side, I really also know nothing about the French side. As I mentioned, I am hoping to get a couple of polls up that I hope will get the same interest as this thread. Those polls will let people anonymously select what they like about the island.
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: RaleighToSXM]
#77459
12/06/2015 11:39 AM
12/06/2015 11:39 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160 Greensboro, NC
charlieh
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Raleigh - your thread topic is interesting, and I think one that all of us deal with to one extent or another. However, there is a HUGE difference in the nature of island visits.
For cruise ship 1 day visitors, what you are doing is a home run. For those who travel by themselves (with spouse), then the hotel or time share is a primary option. In my case, I always travel with friends and rent a house for a week. That completely changes where we look to rent, which is in the Lowlands, as we like to have a house on the beach.
All in all, I think a more appropriate topic is where you spend your time rather than where you spend the night.
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: charlieh]
#77460
12/06/2015 01:21 PM
12/06/2015 01:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 46 Raleigh, NC
RaleighToSXM
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Charlie, I agree that where you spend your time is more defining of what a person is looking for on the island. But, when you look at the responses many, nay, most, of the people are on both sides much of their time. For many it is probably hard for them to say which side they spend more time on. The answer would depend on what they were looking to do any given day. But housing is pretty close to binary. You are either on one side or the other. I also am assuming that people are choosing their lodging to be closer to the things they want to do most. For instance, I have inferred from the forum(s) that the Dutch side has a more active night life. If I want to dance/drink into the late night (I don't), and not drive across the island after I am done, I think I need to stay on the Dutch side. Does that mean all of the people who stay on the Dutch side are looking to party? Of course not. In your case, it looks like you are saying the TYPE and FIT of lodging you need is more important than which side of the island you find it. That is certainly understandable, and in that case, this poll would distort your response.
To reiterate, I wasn't looking to start a war over which side is better. I just wanted a light-hearted snapshot of where people lodge, and if they mostly prefer one side or the other. I think that has been pretty successful, but in the end, I also know the responses really have no meaning, in addition to being a very small sample size.
I desperately want to come to the island for a couple of weeks. I am looking into sharing a villa, hotels, VRBO, condo, etc. I have not looked into it yet, but I would assume there is a rental market out there for TS units, something like the VRBO site. The poll was to help me get an idea of where people on this board, who I have read for a few years now, find lodging.
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: RaleighToSXM]
#77466
12/06/2015 04:07 PM
12/06/2015 04:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,601 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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As I said before, this board does have the ability to do polls, but they are only enabled for admins, because polls take up a tremendous amount of bandwidth. We have done a very similar poll to this in the past..
Carol Hill
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#77468
12/06/2015 05:31 PM
12/06/2015 05:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,162 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
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I personally think polls are a waste of time and don't serve any real purpose. I did contribute to this one, but usually don't bother as they are far too subjective, just like our taste buds! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: islandgem]
#77469
12/06/2015 06:16 PM
12/06/2015 06:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261 Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada
jaxon60
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Aside for answers to the simple yes/no or where is this or that questions, the reality is that this and most forums are just polls with a bit more detail about the answer. Read through the posts: subjective just like our tastebuds.
I don't think labeling a post as a poll really changes anything, except, based on the number of participants in this post, maybe they get more responses.
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: PnPinNC]
#77478
12/07/2015 10:42 AM
12/07/2015 10:42 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 726 New Jersey
NJHarry
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After reading Pat's post, I wanted to provide clarification to my answers. I stated we stay on the French side and go to the beaches on the French side. Pat is correct, there is so much more to the island than we have seen on our trips over the past 10+ years. At this time in our lives, for me the trip to SXM is an opportunity to just decompress and get away. We have limited vacation time due to work schedules and with the stress of work, all I want to do is sit in my lounger and find a way to forget about everything and focus on my wonderful wife, the warm water in front of me and the cold beverage next to me, and nothing more. We are certainly missing out on so much more and I hope when we retire or when our schedules allow us to stay longer, we will get to enjoy the entire island. At that time, my poll answers may be very different. Thanks for your comments Pat, your note really made me think.
Last edited by NJHarry; 12/07/2015 10:43 AM.
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Re: Poll: Do you stay on French or Dutch side?
[Re: beachbum1313]
#77479
12/07/2015 04:41 PM
12/07/2015 04:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 179 Arizona
nibs
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Stay on French Side and most activities also on the French Side.
nibs
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