72 replies to this topic

[joethefoodie]

Yesterday, in response to a post on chowhound, ripping the shit out of Maialino, I posted something along the lines of why rip Maialino here on chowhound, have you written a letter or email to the Union Square Hospitality Group and/or Danny Meyer.

That post got taken down. I reposted it, using what I thought were even gentler terms, and that post got taken down. Their explanation to me in an email was that I was telling someone not to post on chowhound, which I don't think I was doing. Are they that sensitive?

[Orik]

They're on their way, put your affairs in order.

[Lauren]

Lately, I've been having a lot of my posts taken of the Seattle board too. Granted, things got pretty contentious when our new liquor laws took effect. But I wasn't even told they were removing them! The "Team" did post on one thread that they thought some posts were too political. When I complained, they returned some of them.

[Lex]

I'm a longtime CH poster and I've seen those type of suggestions made before. Normally, they're not taken down. Do you have a copy of what you posted? Maybe I could tell you the reason if I see it.

BTW - the girl who posted is a ninny. I seriously doubt things went down as she claims.

[joethefoodie]

I'm a longtime CH poster and I've seen those type of suggestions made before. Normally, they're not taken down. Do you have a copy of what you posted? Maybe I could tell you the reason if I see it.

BTW - the girl who posted is a ninny. I seriously doubt things went down as she claims.

Yeah, that's kinda why I challenged her. I said something to the effect of "why slam them here, why not write an email to them?" It's like they are reverse shilling.

Ori - I know! The powers that be...

[Sneakeater]

How could Lex have any credibility on CH when he posts there under a false name?

[Wilfrid]

Sugartoof!

I shoulda known it.

[Sneakeater]

Even falser than that.

[oakapple]

Yesterday, in response to a post on chowhound, ripping the shit out of Maialino, I posted something along the lines of why rip Maialino here on chowhound, have you written a letter or email to the Union Square Hospitality Group and/or Danny Meyer.

That post got taken down. I reposted it, using what I thought were even gentler terms, and that post got taken down. Their explanation to me in an email was that I was telling someone not to post on chowhound, which I don't think I was doing. Are they that sensitive?

Yes, they are that sensitive. And they do not always explain why a post was removed, which leads to a situation where you've no idea what, if anything, you purportedly did wrong. The "Chowhound Team" has always worked in mysterious ways, which is one of the reasons why I gave up on that site years ago. Although I don't agree with what you posted, I'm inclined to let it stand, and let people draw their own conclusions. The Chowhound Team is inclined to think they're smarter than the rest of us.

For what it's worth, I don't think writing a letter of complaint to USHG is a proper substitute for posting about one's experience. She can write a letter to Danny Meyer, or not write one. I don't write letters after every consumer experience that I was the slightest bit unhappy with; do you? But regardless of the outcome of that exercise, the bad experience is something that happened, and is a proper topic for discussion and critique.

[Lex]

But regardless of the outcome of that exercise, the bad experience is something that happened, and is a proper topic for discussion and critique.

I think overall credibility is an issue. She said -

I think it is weird how they mix sandwiches and salads in the same menu section with slightly vague descriptions; on our first visit, we actually had to ask which ones were on bread and which ones were salads.

Here's the section of the menu she's talking about -



If she can't figure out salads vs. sandwiches she probably has trouble working a light switch.

[oakapple]

But regardless of the outcome of that exercise, the bad experience is something that happened, and is a proper topic for discussion and critique.

I think overall credibility is an issue. She said -

I think it is weird how they mix sandwiches and salads in the same menu section with slightly vague descriptions; on our first visit, we actually had to ask which ones were on bread and which ones were salads.....

If she can't figure out salads vs. sandwiches she probably has trouble working a light switch.

For the sake of present discussion, I am not assuming her critique was valid. Many food board reviews are not. I was just referring to joethefoodie's suggestion that she ought to write a letter to DM or USHG. She could write to them or not write, but it's not a substitute for posting her opinions, however strange they may be. The whole point of crowdsourced review sites is that a variety of opinions is expressed, and over time a particularly off-key review will get drowned out by many other, more sensible ones.

[Orik]

Lex -- The good news is that they'll happily vitamix any of those into soup.

[Orik]

For the sake of present discussion, I am not assuming her critique was valid. Many food board reviews are not. I was just referring to joethefoodie's suggestion that she ought to write a letter to DM or USHG. She could write to them or not write, but it's not a substitute for posting her opinions, however strange they may be. The whole point of crowdsourced review sites is that a variety of opinions is expressed, and over time a particularly off-key review will get drowned out by many other, more sensible ones.

Or, as is more often the case, a micro-consensus will form and no matter how off-base it is, it'll drown out any sensible reviews.

eta: except for Yelp, which is completely random noise as far as I can tell.

[joethefoodie]

For the sake of present discussion, I am not assuming her critique was valid. Many food board reviews are not. I was just referring to joethefoodie's suggestion that she ought to write a letter to DM or USHG. She could write to them or not write, but it's not a substitute for posting her opinions, however strange they may be. The whole point of crowdsourced review sites is that a variety of opinions is expressed, and over time a particularly off-key review will get drowned out by many other, more sensible ones.

But I often do that when I have a bad experience at a place where I know management actually wants to hear about it. It's a good way to vent, and that way you're theoretically letting someone know who can do something about it.

And when I don't, I generally express my feelings by never going back.

[joethefoodie]

How could Lex have any credibility on CH when he posts there under a false name?

Don't you post there under a false name too?