It seems most reviews of restaurants are complaining about something. It makes sense that people would do that, but do you make an effort to submit a positive review?

I do but I’m also honest to point out if something was lacking. When I review, I note the service as much as the food quality because some places are consistent while others aren’t. If a restaurant is transitional or has opened a new location then I know they want all feeback in order to make changes or imporvements.

I’m not a complainer and always look for the positives. A situation would have to be pretty bad for me to get up in arms about it. Like the time my waiter in a very upscale restaurant actually had the audacity to respond to my inquiry about how long it was taking to get our bottle of wine with a ” Why? Do you NEED it that badly?” Uh, wrong thing to say sonny boy, the manager heard about that one.

I agree with @Coloma. The behavior has to be pretty egregious for me to say anything. If the food is “bad”, I simply won’t return.

Yes, I submit positive reviews, as well as “most good, but could be improved upon” and “not really bad, but there’s no reason to go there when there’s this other superior option” reviews.

It’s why I generally don’t rely on Yelp.

Online reviews are all the same. The only people who bother to fill them in are people with something to compalin about.

I don’t know. I’ve been to a couple of places with all these good reviews and they weren’t deserved. People need to know the full story. I’d rather go to a place with lowered expectations than high expectations. I’m more likely to have a good time that way. So you’re doing me no favors if you provide a good review just because you think that’s what people should do.

If you can’t find something nice to say, then…

… you could have a great career in journalism!

Good news doesn’t sell as well. If you’re going to be a critic, then you have to be critical. It doesn’t mean that you can never say anything good about a place that you review, but you won’t build a reputation by only looking at things through rose-colored glasses.

If the positive review is deserved, I will, but I’m also honest if there is room for improvement in the food or service. Both negative and positive reviews have their place. However, there is a bias towards negative reviews on certain websites, especially Yelp!

@CWOTUS
you won’t build a reputation by only looking at things through rose-colored glasses.

Unless you are reviewing on Amazon, where egative reviews generally get poor helpfulness ratings.

Yes, my partner and I are always happy to submit positive reviews/comments. I think we just get so excited when something is finally done really well. The only time we make complaints is when they are big (like finding a mould encrusted bolt in the pizza).

As for reviews, it depends on the type of service. How we are treated is one of the main concerns though. And, of course, the product/service itself.

Meant to say negative, not “egative”. Argh!

That’s okay, @lonelydragon; I won’t hold it agaist you.

I saw a funny newspaper article online from a secluded small town in one of the Dakotas. They didn’t have many restaurants there, so they were clearly thrilled when they got a new Olive Garden. They wrote a really long piece lauding the heck out of that place, lol.

If I get good service, and feel that a server, counter person, whatever goes an extra step to make sure my experience is pleasant, I always write a good review. Most of the time I will e-mail the manager, or call the place, or even the corporate office.

Just like anything else .. people more often complain than compliment.

I do complain, but I also make a point of complimenting. It’s sad that when I compliment, it’s met with surprise and shock! The complaints are more expected.

Having worked as a hotel inspector for several years, it’s difficult to mentally get out evaluation mode. There are four categories taken into consideration: Condition (of the facilities), Cleanliness, Service, and Standards.

Since recently discovering TripAdvisor, we relied heavily on it for finding great places to eat on our last two trips. There are typically so many reviews already posted that the few complaints are taken with a grain of salt. The Total Service Score is what’s important.

So, if people only write reviews when they want to complain, how come I keep seeing all these positive and/or nuanced reviews online?

@JustPlainBarb Amen to that! I’m a complementary type myself and it is sad that people do not receive complements more so than complaints. Infact, I’ve found the best way to get good service is to be complementary to your waiter/waitress. You do get what you give. ;-)

I am a frequent contributor to review sites, and I submit both complementary and complaints, mostly complementary.

I write positive reviews. If I go to a restaurant and have a fantastic experience, I say. I also try not to be unfairly critical just because I have the benefit of anonymity. I use reviews to make decisions about where I go in cities I haven’t visited before so I want to hear about the good places as well as the negative experiences people have had.

@Aethelflaed I’m right and you’re wrong. You can’t explain that.
It’s just a generalization :)

Personal complaint…haha I do NOT see the appeal of Applebee restaurants at all.
I don’t like their food and do not get why everyone is so into them. People think I’m weird, oh well, I think Applebees are waaay over rated.
There’s my critique of Applebees lol

I read one hotel review posted by a woman who scored it really low. She said that she sent the hotel an e-mail in advance of their arrival date to let them know it was her husband’s birthday. She was absolutely floored that they neither acknowledged the e-mail or his birthday during their stay, as she mentioned it again at check-in. Granted, it would have been nice if the staff had done so, but that was a bit over the top.

@Coloma I agree with you about Applebees. At least they are extremely consistent across the brand at providing average food. We know not to have high expectations if dining at one. :)

The only review I’ve ever written for a restaurant was a very positive one. If my experience is neutral or just pleasant, I don’t think too much of it. If it’s bad, I just don’t go back.

When I met up with JillTheTooth, janbb, Chyna, and marinelife in West Virginia, we had such a fantastic experience at this little restaurant, that I wrote the owner about it. He asked me to post my experience on a review site, so I did. If you’re ever in Berkeley Springs, don’t miss eating at Temptations Cafe!

I have written very positive reviews for the restaurants I really like and are worth it. I don’t write negative reviews because I agree with you that most reviewers just want to complain and find fault.

I do. I’ve been to some that each do something so much better than any others that I take the time to say something. It may be the food, but it often is just that the staff waiting on us is so great that I want them to be rewarded. Complimenting someone can lead to rewards from employers, and I like to help whenever I can.