The pervasive nature of social media has allowed your
Facebook friends to include you in any and all aspects of their life—including when
they go out to dinner. When we log onto Facebook at any point during the day,
we see tons of food posts, or “food porn,” but, hey, we actually love it. Do
you? Common complaints lie with people who post too
much—everything they eat, whether it be a gourmet meal or a snack from the gas
station. Many foodies genuinely like to share their experience in a great
restaurant, but posting ad nauseum can seem like pretentious boasting: “Look at
me, eating this delicious porcini mushroom risotto at fabulous and expensive
Restaurant X , while you’re at home nibbling on your sad turkey sandwich.”
These posts have unintended benefits for restaurants, however. The photos may
entice people to eat at the restaurant because the photos are instant
publicity. But how much is too much?
While doing our morning reading, we came across this really
hilarious three-minute video on NPR’s Food Blog, that’s a catchy music video
based on the notion that “food porn” has reached the extreme.
So what’s the problem? There is a dining room etiquette
diners should abide by before you break out the camera and the flashes start
lighting up the dining room. Snapping away with your camera can be
intrusive and disruptive to your fellow patrons, not to mention disrespectful
to the chef. The food is meant to be eaten the moment it gets to you. If you’re
too busy setting up your tripod and getting the right angle, you may end up
with a dish not up to par. So, if you must take a picture, make it quick and
with no flash.
