Twitter shaming as whole is not a new thing, and social media exists in many ways to give people an amplified voice to call out those who have done them wrong — but one of the more contentious industries, the restaurant biz, has made social media news by using services like Twitter to put no-shows for dinner reservations on blast.
Twitter shaming for no-shows may seem to be a bad move for restaurants, but it also makes sense given the way chefs especially tend to engage with customers and staff — have you ever worked in a kitchen before?
Plus, the restaurant industry is constantly balanced on a razor’s edge of profitability, so the practice of claiming then not using tables certainly is a bottom line batterer.
And when restaurants started shaming no-shows on Twitter, attention was paid. Is this really a great social media for restaurants strategy?
Ron Eyester, @theangrychef on Twitter and Executive Chef at Rosebud in Atlanta, spoke about how he uses Twitter –admitting sometimes that no-shows are named and shamed on the lively feed to which he posts.
@theangrychef @greenolivemedia @hlntv I agree there’s a conversation worth having about disregard for reservations, cost to restaurants.
— dsloandownes (@dsloandownes) April 3, 2013
Eyester says:
If I am able to, I call people that didn’t show up for their reservations and politely ask them what happened … On the other hand, if you’re willing to make a reservation and not show up for it, you may have to accept that you could be called out in a public forum for it.
He adds:
Social media gives people perspective, and it has a certain level of transparency that I’m really attracted to … Twitter has a very level playing field. It’s almost like being in confession.
Do you think it’s reasonable to call out restaurant no-shows in “Twitter shaming?”
I think it is one way for restaurants to keep costs down, however they should try to get in touch with the customer first (since everywhere I've made a reservation requires a #) then you can call them out – just have to be careful how you do it.
I don't see the point to this other than the restaurant blowing off steam. Why would you publicly shame someone who maybe had a legitimate emergency? It sounds like you're opening yourself up to libel charges. If someone did that to me, I would certainly never go to their restaurant again, no matter how much I loved it. Besides, if a restaurant is busy enough that patrons can make reservations, presumably that party's table could be filled by people waiting on stand-by.
Why don't they just give the table away to someone else? I think it's very unprofessional to bash your customers on social media! Strange world we live in…
I'd be tempted to do this, because it does seem rude for people to make reservations and not show up; however, it would be rather unprofessional and irrational.
I don't see the point at all, I think that it makes the establishment look bad. Brainstorming productive ways to cut down on the number of no-shows seems like a better use of everyone's time.
I understand both sides of the story especially if it's a really nice expensive restaurant. Unfortunately today some people could care less about commitments, I would try to call and cancel but at the same time it can also be an emergency too.
Good for the chef! How rude of people (barring an emergency) to just change their minds and go elsewhere? How long shall the restaurant hold your table? Five minutes? Ten? So if they give your table away at ten minutes and then you show up, then what? Just call and cancel or let them know you are going to be late. It's honestly not that hard!
that dessert table is looking good.