Comments on: “Are You a Food Critic?”

By: KimHo

KimHo — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:03:02 +0000

VB, it is quite interesting you were noticed given you use a small camera (Cybershot DSC-W5?). In our case, since a lot of us use SLRs, that is not necessarily the case… >_< Good to know what is your line of thought!

By: Vancouver Bites!

Vancouver Bites! — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:55:15 +0000

I’m new to this game and I’ve already been asked twice. Both times happened about the same. I got good service before they noticed anything, they saw that I was taking pictures and asked why, I said that I blog about food, and the service continued to be as good as it was before they knew. I don’t think you “owe” them anything though and I might just say that “I am into food photography” in the future. I guess it would depend a lot on how positive or negative things were going.

By: Yakko Sushi Express | I'm Only Here for the Food!

Yakko Sushi Express | I'm Only Here for the Food! — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:26:16 +0000

[...] a really odd twist (considering Sunday’s posting), while I was snapping pictures of the food, the waitress gave me this “as a courtesy”. [...]

By: Sherman

Sherman — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:12:14 +0000

Actually, I’ve received more attentive service before because I was taking photos. But I really try to discount it, so I’m unbiased. The only time someone was a bit upset at pictures being taken was at Po King. The crazy lady there is a bit off her rocker. And I’m being kind!

By: KimHo

KimHo — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:56:49 +0000

Sherman, welcome! Actually, my point is not that of they being upset (though I did run into such a situation once); rather that your experience might be skewed compared to that of a visit by “regular” customers. If that would happen, then your blog might be (unwillingly/unknowingly) biased towards that experience, not to mention it won’t be fair to other customers. Otherwise, can you imagine everybody bringing cameras to restaurants?

By: Sherman

Sherman — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:26:55 +0000

I’ve never been directly asked yet, but there have been a few times I have gotten really good service once they catch on I’m taking pictures. If I was asked, I’d just tell them the truth – that I do a food blog. A food blog is useless w/o pictures. I’m not sure why a restaurant would be upset at someone taking pictures, that’s free advertising and possibly a good review. Also, what’s the difference of me taking a picture of a friend or friends at the table and at the same time catching pictures of the food and restaurant? My 2 cents.

By: chris

chris — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:02:45 +0000

Having never been asked, I don’t know what I would do. However, I think that I would go with some sort of avoiding/deflect answer as well. I am not there to cause a problem, but I have a passion for the food I eat, so I would make no apologies.

I like what you said about it being one side of your life, as that struck a similar cord in me as I read your post. I’m grateful for the blogging that you, like many others, do, as it allows me to see,read, and be continually inspired.
OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi

By: chris

chris — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:04:16 +0000

By: KimHo

KimHo — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:53:20 +0000

Pearl, I am glad you are still around! I have been missing your posts… As for the topic, I would be disappointed if special attention was given to a customer just because he/she is a “critic”. Actually, check this article when an actual critic found out there was preferential treatment to some customers.

Kevin, I have found out that avoiding confrontation is the best approach. And not telling them you are a blogger is a way to avoid it.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:25:02 +0000

I’ve been asked twice, and I just tell them I write a food blog.
The first time, he just said that he’d prefer if I had asked to take pictures beforehand.

A restaurant shouldn’t give you better service because you’re a food critic/celebrity..that’s unfair and discriminating!