New York's finest restaurants

[Toby]

I just laid out a possible case why it might make sense Steve--and all this stuff is chef-driven, not customer-driven, anyway.  Customers--and I consider the media a customer--are sheep.

Quite a provocative statement. Perhaps deserving of its own thread. Not necessarily invalid, but provocative all the same. Worth expanding upon.

Nick

Isn't this (i.e., who gets to drive) very close to the arguments going on over in the wringing out and pissed off threads?

[Wilfrid]

Yes, indeed Toby. If I eat in a restaurant on a regular basis, I do expect the management and chef to consult me in advance about any menu changes. The concept of "ownership" when it comes to restaurants is really quite a tricky one.

[Liza]

Yes, indeed Toby.  If I eat in a restaurant on a regular basis, I do expect the management and chef to consult me in advance about any menu changes.  The concept of "ownership" when it comes to restaurants is really quite a tricky one.   

Once I figure out how to get them to pay me for the meal, I'll post about it. But it'll cost you.

[Toby]

I was thinking about the contempt or appreciation (perceived and/or real) either (or both participants = supplier/consumer) feels for the other.

[Steve Plotnicki]

Toby - Why is this point on this thread when it is so apropos to the other thread? I know you said the threads are similar, but it really is germane to the other thread.

[Toby]

Toby - Why is this point on this thread when it is so apropos to the other thread? I know you said the threads are similar, but it really is germane to the other thread.

Well, that was my point. I think someone (Nick?) should start a new thread about it, because it really seems to lurk around underneath many of the arguments we have. I have to go run errands though.

[Jaymes]

I was thinking about the contempt or appreciation  (perceived and/or real) either (or both participants =  supplier/consumer) feels for the other.

That situation exists in virtually every transactional/commerical situation.

As a travel agent friend of mine put it, "I'd love this business if it weren't for those damn customers."

[jaybee]

Yes, indeed Toby. If I eat in a restaurant on a regular basis, I do expect the management and chef to consult me in advance about any menu changes. The concept of "ownership" when it comes to restaurants is really quite a tricky one

This relationship extends to many products and services, other than restaurants. Coca Cola found out that their customers not only did not want a "new better tasting" Coke but were very angry at the company for daring to change something they felt a sense of ownership towards.

Celebrities discover that their personas are, to a large degree, "owned" by their fans, and these fans often resent any change the celebrity makes in their persona. This is a psychological phenomenon that runs really deep in some people.

This may deserve its own thread, but i'm nort sure how much there is to say about it except that it exists, like it or not.

[Toby]

Well, when I saw the reference to sheep, it struck me that this may have been one of the main reasons for all the unhappiness over the past few days, and it made me wonder if there was some way to make communication about our intentions/perceptions of each other better.