Petty to boycott local restaurants due to this?

[Wife226]

We are quite fortunate to have a really good selection of restaurants where we live. Two are under the same ownership but are different themes etc.

One in particular recently re-opened after a refurbishment and there has been a string of local ‘influencers’ and I use the term lightly putting up posts of them eating there (multiple courses) with it being clear that they were given it for free.

They also did similar with their other restaurant in the summer.

Is it petty to no longer visit them as a result? I would resent paying full price whilst the ‘influencer’ (PT with 2000 followers) gets it all for free.

That is a fair point, but unfortunately there seem to be millions of sheeplike people creating a market for 'influencers' and 'content creators' so while this situation exists, you can't really blame businesses (most of which are struggling in the current climate) for chasing customers in this way.

Most influencers work or run businesses.
An example would be a local cake shop run by two sisters that is very active on social media.
A local independent shop invited them to their Christmas launch - glass of wine and nibbles and a few freebies. They post pics, I see it because I follow the cake shop not the shop and think that looks nice I’ll visit there. The local farm park invited them to pumpkin patch with their small children, I didn’t bother reading as I don’t have small children. It doesn’t bother me I’m not going to boycott the cake shop.

You're being ridiculous but you can choose to eat wherever you like.

I've discovered lots of nice cafes/restaurants from tiktok/social media. And I've been reminded of places Id forgotten. Plus found out about fun events that I havent found just through Google. I dont really see how its any different from flitting through ads in the local newspaper, or a magazine to find somewhere. Or even just walking down the street

I wouldn't immediately flock to a place because someone I follow has been there, but I see a nice restaurant on social media, I look at the menu and if it looks nice I'll add it to the list of places I want to go. Or I see an event that looks fun, look it up and go.

Influencers are just normal people, there's a wide range of people with differing content/opinions and a lot of it is really interesting. Equally I dont understand why it makes you a sheep to watch an influencer but not if you consume other forms of media

I agree- I can’t stand ‘influencers’ - & it has the opposite effect on me & puts me off businesses who use them

Miranda Priestley covers this silly “I am not a sheep” stuff perfectly with her “cerulean jumper/pile of stuff” speech tbh

Tbh I'd be more bothered that a twatty influencer could be there filming at the same time as I was trying to enjoy a meal, that's what would put me off.

This. Nespresso? George Clooney/Dua Lipa, any fragrance? Many models/actresses. Watches? Same. It's just advertising which is in the budget. Go to a show sponsored by eg Barclays and the CEO or staff from Barclays may have free tickets

Yes it’s petty. They’re basically paying for advertising with free food. If they did it traditionally they’d pay money to the local newspaper or local billboards to advertise. The influencer in return is paying with their time filming, editing etc.

Its just modern advertising. You’re welcome to try and be an influencer if you want to do all that work for a few free dinners.

Sorry - what is the point?

@Umbilicat yes it does on occasion.

Absolutely right!

If you don't need anything for free - what is you're actual problem.
Restaurant is advertising themselves - if you don't understand their method of advertising, then don't go. But it really feels like you are cutting off your nose to spite your face - so yes, extremely petty.
And ultimately - if this is your only problem in life, why the chuff are you moaning???