What's in a name? ( maybe ongoing thread reminder? )

[KJFSophie]

...Just a bit of a general observation while reading questions and responses in the forum. There seems to be a lot of opinions based on one's person experiences with equipment, clothing, etc... and much of what fall through the cracks in the conversations is that we are, as a group, submitting questions and offering replies from all over the world. Different countries refer to items using different words. It really does all come down to semantics and translations.

A few illustrations of this : Sleeping gear...do I take a sleeping bag or a liner? Well, sleeping bags come in every degree of warmth that you can imagine, so telling the poster "No sleeping bag! ' is a tad assumptive. As for 'liners'? I'll bet we could start a dialogue on what exactly one is calling a liner...A thin, silk, envelope type sac? Fleece liner ? A bag liner meant to keep interior of sleeping bags clean? A liner intended to slip into another sleeping bag for extra warmth? I'm sure in your head you think you know what 'a liner' is, but that word may mean something completely different to the person across the globe.

Consider also "headphones"...are we talking teenie tiny earbuds that weigh nothing? Or are we referring to the giant noise cancelling Bose headset? Or the current trend in listening to music with big padded ear muffs? Big difference.

Boots, hikers, runners, sneakers, sandals....What one is calling a 'hiker' may just well be the next person's light trail shoe or some heavy leather waterproof steel toes monstrosity. We don't know...it's all in a name.

And then there's the dreaded 'poncho'....don't get me started. Are we referring to a thin plastic emergency poncho that will shred in the first rainfall, a breathable/water resistant hooded cover? An Altus 'poncho' with arms and hood that zips up front? A big Mexican Serape for a siesta loomed with heavy cotton? Think of all of the 'poncho-bilities'

'Food', ' Snacks' , ...one man's tiny bag of nuts is another giant ham bone...

'Fleece Jacket'...another beauty...Is it an ultralight micro fleece or a heavy wooly, insulated beast with pockets? One that just chases a chill, or one for arctic adventures?

While one would think that the person posing the question should be clearer in their wording, consider they may be using the word that know for their area/region. Consider too, that most posters with questions are newbies looking for assistance. They don't yet know that there are a hundred different varieties attached to the one word they are using/seeking help with.

The Camino is indeed a 'Global Experience' all taking place in one tiny corner of the world, on a handful of paths.
Please be kind with responses...consider the poster and what he/she might be referring to.

 

[Marbe2]

...Just a bit of a general observation while reading questions and responses in the forum. There seems to be a lot of opinions based on one's person experiences with equipment, clothing, etc... and much of what fall through the cracks in the conversations is that we are, as a group, submitting questions and offering replies from all over the world. Different countries refer to items using different words. It really does all come down to semantics and translations.

A few illustrations of this : Sleeping gear...do I take a sleeping bag or a liner? Well, sleeping bags come in every degree of warmth that you can imagine, so telling the poster "No sleeping bag! ' is a tad assumptive. As for 'liners'? I'll bet we could start a dialogue on what exactly one is calling a liner...A thin, silk, envelope type sac? Fleece liner ? A bag liner meant to keep interior of sleeping bags clean? A liner intended to slip into another sleeping bag for extra warmth? I'm sure in your head you think you know what 'a liner' is, but that word may mean something completely different to the person across the globe.

Consider also "headphones"...are we talking teenie tiny earbuds that weigh nothing? Or are we referring to the giant noise cancelling Bose headset? Or the current trend in listening to music with big padded ear muffs? Big difference.

Boots, hikers, runners, sneakers, sandals....What one is calling a 'hiker' may just well be the next person's light trail shoe or some heavy leather waterproof steel toes monstrosity. We don't know...it's all in a name.

And then there's the dreaded 'poncho'....don't get me started. Are we referring to a thin plastic emergency poncho that will shred in the first rainfall, a breathable/water resistant hooded cover? An Altus 'poncho' with arms and hood that zips up front? A big Mexican Serape for a siesta loomed with heavy cotton? Think of all of the 'poncho-bilities'

'Food', ' Snacks' , ...one man's tiny bag of nuts is another giant ham bone...

'Fleece Jacket'...another beauty...Is it an ultralight micro fleece or a heavy wooly, insulated beast with pockets? One that just chases a chill, or one for arctic adventures?

While one would think that the person posing the question should be clearer in their wording, consider they may be using the word that know for their area/region. Consider too, that most posters with questions are newbies looking for assistance. They don't yet know that there are a hundred different varieties attached to the one word they are using/seeking help with.

The Camino is indeed a 'Global Experience' all taking place in one tiny corner of the world, on a handful of paths.
Please be kind with responses...consider the poster and what he/she might be referring to.

Your point is well taken...being in tune to someone else’s culture is certainly beneficial and reminding us all of this is helpful.

I think the advantage of having many responders and points of view is that the varied opinions helps the OP In their decision making.

Many on this forum opine with specific questions, asking the OP such questions as when they are going, what are their interests, have they walked before, what is their time frame and budget, trying to hone in the specific needs of the OP.

IMO there is also a responsibility on the part of the OP to discern through the offerings posed by the forum participants. Even within specific cultures there are differences! The OP has ample opportunity to pose additional questions to reach clarity. And I find the participants on this blog very patient and untiringly generous in assisting those who seek info about their upcoming camino.

 

[Yoyo]

I always find it useful when people include a photo or a product link in their post when talking about gear.