“Is it worth it?” This is fast becoming my least favorite phrase on the travel message forums that I frequent. I see it several times a day, about everything from specific restaurants, to different kinds of theme park passes, to attractions and shows, to resorts and hotels. It’s such a loaded question. I don’t know anyone who is a mind reader. So how would we know what someone else considers “worth it”?
I might think it’s worth it to spend the extra money to turn a base park ticket at Disney World into a park hopper ticket, but someone else might think it’s a waste of money. They might think it’s worth it to spend $200 for an expensive dinner at L’Atelier in Vegas, whereas spending that kind of money on one meal would send me into cardiac arrest. “Worth” is based on so many different criteria, from your ingrained feelings about money to your personal tastes to how much you value your time. The only person who can answer the question “Is it worth it?” is the individual posing the question.
To me, “Is it worth it?” feels like a lazy question people ask when they want someone else to just tell them what to do instead of taking the time to do the research they need to do to make up their own minds. That also gives them the “out” so if they don’t enjoy an experience that someone else told them was “worth it”, they can blame someone else for their unhappiness.
Instead of asking “Is it worth it?” ask more specific questions that will help you to determine if it’s worth it to YOU: How long is this show? What is the average price of dinner at this restaurant and how does it compare to this other restaurant that I already know I like? How much of this park can I see in one day? What is included in the price of this hotel package? What kind of neighborhood is this in? And most importantly: Where can I read some reviews about this? If you take the time to read other people’s online reviews of something, chances are, you’ll never have to ask “Is it worth it?” because you’ll already have all the information you need right in front of you to make your own decision.
on Mar 5th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
That’s why I like comparative analysis so much better. Obviously most things have at least some value proposition to someone. It’s more interesting to ask which of two options is more appealing for what people. I.E. Le Cellier Steakhouse has great atmosphere and is a great meal but if you really just want a plain old steak you might prefer Yachtsman.
on Mar 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
That’s why I like comparative analysis so much better. Obviously most things have at least some value proposition to someone. It’s more interesting to ask which of two options is more appealing for what people. I.E. Le Cellier Steakhouse has great atmosphere and is a great meal but if you really just want a plain old steak you might prefer Yachtsman.
on Mar 6th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I agree, if someone can tell me what sorts of (restaurants, hotels, activities) they already do like, at least I can make some sort of judgment about whether something would be worth it to them.
on Mar 6th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I agree, if someone can tell me what sorts of (restaurants, hotels, activities) they already do like, at least I can make some sort of judgment about whether something would be worth it to them.