Foodblogging isn't Freeloading

Foodblogging isn't Freeloading – Comment

I must say that I’m relatively new to the foodblogging scene with just over 50 posts and 6 months under my belt. However, I’ve had the privilege of dining at restaurants from a young age and have – at least – a rough idea of what drives the centuries-old food and beverage industry. Now, if I were to whittle all that down to one axiomatic precept, it’d be this: diners pay the establishment to feed them.

Simple right? Apparently not.

With the advent of citizen journalism, a new class of diners have entered the fray: foodbloggers; a diverse mix of people with the simple goal of sharing their love of food with the online community. As a way of showing their thanks and perhaps get a little publicity, some restaurants even go so far as to offer discounts or occasional invited food tastings.

However, a problem has recently arisen because some bloggers misconstrue the magnanimous actions of these restaurants to be their God-given right. They get it into their heads that they deserve to eat for free by waving their ‘status’ of foodblogger about like a meal ticket or discount voucher. This atrociously erroneous notion not only reflects badly on them and causes needless trouble for eateries but also sullies the reputation of the entire foodblogging community. On the most basic level, it completely contradicts the aforementioned informal axiom of dining and leaves me fuming besides.

This audacity is not restricted to newcomers whose ignorance might be remotely forgivable but also long-established members of the foodblogging community. The incident that incensed me to write this post actually involved an eatery I patronised at Joo Chiat and a foodblogger who has garnered numerous accolades and whose page I often visit. Unhappy with the already gracious waiving of the bill for 2 out of his party of 4, he kicked up a stink and virtually flung his credit card at the wait staff. Talk about bad form.

This post is not intended to slime so no names will be mentioned. However, I hope that this sort of behaviour can be nipped in the bud lest restaurants begin turning DSLR-toting diners away.