Don’t Dine and Drag

About a week ago I came across a rather rambling complaint against a local restaurant on the Howard County Eats page. I probably would have ignored it except the poster claimed that entire experience was made exponentially worse because it was a “black-owned business.”

At that point I saw red. I asked,

“I'm curious why you make a point of it being a Black-owned business. Why is that relevant?”

There was no response. In fact, there was no response to any of the comments on their post, most of which were skeptical. Further scrutiny revealed that the account of the original poster appeared to be a fake one.

This person probably intended to vent their anger in a public way and to possibly start a social media pile-on that would harm the restaurant. I’m happy to say that it failed rather spectacularly. In addition, I’m probably more likely to try this restaurant than I was before.

It doesn’t always work like that. Some folks just love to drag restaurants and others jump into the fray. It takes on all the senseless enthusiasm of a fight in the lunchroom. Yes, having a bad experience in a restaurant is disappointing but destroying a local business is…irresponsible? Out of proportion? Reckless?

I’m unable to find this particular post right now so perhaps the OP thought better of it or perhaps it was removed by moderators. Yes, I took a screenshot, but it’s a private group and I respect that. Suffice it to say that this time good sense prevailed.

Bonus content today:

My friend Marge has resurrected her blog, Scribbles from the Margen, after a hiatus which I would describe as “too darn long.” I have missed her writing. It just so happens her post today touches on a similar situation. A disgruntled customer takes their restaurant rant to social media and the general response is not what they were expecting. It’s rather hilarious.

Is There a Problem Here?, Marge Neal, Scribbles from the Margen

Please take the moment to click on over. It’s delightful.

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