Oh the yelpers... you know, everyone is entitled to their opinion and in our new wave of technology, everyone is entitled to their public/internet/somewhat anonymous opinion. Trying to see the good in all of this, I want to believe that there are yelp members who just truly want to express their feelings and are educated in doing so.
Unfortunately, in my experience, this has been a uphill battle. I've witnessed firsthand some questionable behavior..."if you advertise with yelp, we can make your negative reviews go to the bottom of all of your positive revierws". and then when you don't advertise, coincidently 3 1-star Elite reviews appear the next day.
Since I work in a restaurant, a very hands-on restaurant, I can usually recall the person that posts a review. It's the Yelp reviews that are generally, well, most mean. And yes, I am a sensitive person and yes, I shouldn't let them get to me. But, well, they do. I am always open to constructive critism and use this information to help improve the restaurant. But when reviews are mean and spiteful, when they lack restaurant knowledge and tact, I just don't see the need for them. The immature gal in me just wants to shake them and say "I was the one who asked in you wanted an ice tea refill! I was trying to be polite!". This is our profession (as you all know and respect) and we do our damndest to make sure everyone enjoys themselves. If we fall short, we work to improve. Telling me our decor makes you lose your appetite? I'm sorry for your aversion to color.
PS this is the first real post i've put up...please take this a grain of salt. I'm coming off a recent yelp attack
Ria Freydberg
Assistant General Manager
Restaurant 3