Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Taking Yelp (and "Al D.") To Task

Ted's Montana Grill serves arguably the best burgers of any restaurant chain in this price range.  What's more is their commitment to protecting the environment via sound eco-friendly practices such as the use of water-conserving amenities and recycled paper straws (that work surprisingly well).

However, that is not the point of this review.  Rather, I am writing to call out another reviewer for posting the name and photograph of an employee that served him.  Yes, "Al D.," I'm talking about you.  Further, I am also taking to task Yelp's Support Team for exercising extremely poor judgment in allowing the photograph and caption to remain on the site.

There is clearly nothing wrong with leaving an honest and critical review of a restaurant or any other place of business.  After all, that is one of the main purposes of this site.  But there is an old saying:  There are ways to do things, and ways not to do things.  Al D., your insistence of including your bartender's picture with the caption, "Weak martini skills, though," is an example of the latter.  Your bartender, Bridgett, appears at the far left of the photo, seemingly unsuspecting of your motives.  Tell me something:  Did you ask her permission to include her in the picture?  

Regardless, there was simply no reason to do so.  I don't understand this need some of you seem to have to drag some poor restaurant employee's name into your review, simply because they might have made one small error during the service.  What is the purpose?  To make yourself feel important?  I'm all for honest feedback to employees in any business.  But these aren't politicians, superstar athletes, CEOs, or celebrities.  They are just everyday, working-class people struggling to pay their bills.  You can review their performance WITHOUT posting their names and photographs online, for the whole world to see.  There is simply no ethical reason to do so, and doing so reeks of smugness and self-importance on the part of the reviewer--in this case, you.

The Yelp Support Team deserves just as much blame.  By leaving up the photo in question, you are condoning this practice, which will undoubtedly encourage other wannabe, self-proclaimed critics and "connoisseurs" (quotes emphasized) to do the same, and likely to an even worse degree.  Our work force does not deserve this treatment.  Show some class and keep their names, descriptions, and likenesses out of your reviews.  

I'm tempted to drive down to Marietta, Georgia, walk into Ted's, and ask for Bridgett (provided, of course, she still works there), specifically to try one of her martinis.  In any case, I am asking, once again, that the photo be taken down.  You wouldn't want it done to you, so don't do it to someone else.  Please.

Thank you.

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Behave yourselves. Cursing is okay. Harassment is not.