Am I too Negative?

From time to time I get feedback about the large number of negative posts in my blog and at www.muinebeach.net. I think it's a fair issue to raise. Naturally local businesses have an interest in balance, and a desire to see more positive than negative. Too much negativity can drive tourists away.

My decision to post negative stories, which unfortunately can be rather frequent, comes from a desire to see Mui Ne (and the greater Binh Thuan Province) develop into the very best place it can be. By drawing attention to problem items, I hope to affect change in positive directions to solve problems I see on a repeated basis. Unless light is cast on these subjects, there are few other forces present to apply the pressure necessary to make a difference. I'm conscious of the influence my blog and website has in this community by informing tourists, expats, and to a lesser extent the locals, and it is thus my goal to use this influence as a catalyst for improving the community.

I do post news items on festivals and positive news items when they become apparent, as well as cultural items when I have time to go exploring. The problem is though that I’m only one person, with lots of other things to do as well. I don’t have the time it takes to go out and create new positive human interest stories several times a week. Negative is always easiest to report in any medium because it sticks out like a sore thumb. I’m always happy to print stories people send me, as well as announcements, as long as they fit with the theme of the website and aren’t entirely self-promotional. Unfortunately it’s very rare that anyone does. When I hear or read someone praising a business or some aspect in Mui Ne, I always beg them to send me a note so I can post it, but they never ever do. I do get occasional negative ones though. I’ve tried to make connections with the government tourism department in Phan Thiet so I can post their announcements and stories—all for free—but they just aren’t interested. I’m really frustrated by that as my goal is merely to help the area. So, I’ve always been a lone wolf in this endeavor. If you come up with any stories, announcements or hear about anything someone or some business might be doing to help/contribute to the community, please do send them to me. If it fits the general criteria, I’ll be happy to post it here or on www.muinebeach.net.