Gaybutton Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 If any of you have been reading the Baht-Stop board, you have probably noticed the little skirmish that's been going on between some posters there and me about my restaurant reviews. One of the things being said is that I should stop writing restaurant reviews because I'm not an expert, that I embellish the quality, that most of the restaurants I recommend are lousy, and that I really don't know what I'm talking about. I have nothing personal to gain by writing about my "restaurant finds." Obviously, I already know about them. I write the reviews of restaurants I've tried and enjoyed so that others will know they exist, where they are, what kind of food is served, and my personal opinion of the food. I couldn't care less what the Baht-Stop posters think, but I do care what the people on this board think. So, I'll leave it up to you. If you want me to continue writing about restaurants I find, I will. If you want me to stop, I'll stop.
Guest GaySacGuy Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 I could care less what they say on Baht-Stop...they can go fly a kite!
Guest gwm4sian Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 Keep on writing, but remember that one man's meat is another man's poison, so ignore all the cracks people make.
Guest PattayaPlayers Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 I for one really enjoy them, Gaybutton. However, that doesn't mean I always agree. It's ok to write your opinion and understand that not everyone's will be the same. For the most part, I find your reviews to be fair, enlightening and useful. Thanks for the time you take to get these out. I have had many a great dining experiences thanks to your leads.
Guest taylorsquare Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 I dont read baht stop,however please keeping posting your reviews preferably with a star rating. One restaurant which i would love for you review would be the Iranian restaurant opp cherry hotel,I think called Karims or similar name.
Bob Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 Since I'm never in Pattaya, the Pattaya restaurant/bar reviews are fairly irrelevant to me; however, it seems to me that your reviews over the years have been intended to be helpful to the Pattaya visitors so my guess is that most of them appreciate the effort. But, like GSG said, you maybe ought to ignore the small minority of carpers although I know it's hard to do. Remember the old Abe Lincoln saying (something to the effect that it's difficult to engage in a battle of wits when your opponent is unarmed....)
Guest Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 I don't know why you would let what happens on another board affect you here. I have only good things to say about your reviews myself. They are enjoyable to read and filled with information that others are able to use to enjoy their time in Pattaya even more. Your reviews are helpful and appreciated here!
Guest Geezer Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 GB, why on earth would you bother to post on Baht Stop? I stopped reading Baht Stop a couple of weeks ago. The postings consist largely of cut and pastes from the web sites of the Post and Nation which I read anyway, and of gratuitous insults. Neither are of interest to me. If something happens I should know about I hope it’s posted here or on Ting Tong. Otherwise I’ll miss it.
Guest HeyGay Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 If you put gasoline on a fire it will burn faster, I don’t know why you bother to fight with them GB, just say what you have to say and ignore the idiots. They are trying to goad you to make you sound the bad boy. Just write another Review that will sort them out.
Guest RichLB Posted May 17, 2009 Posted May 17, 2009 From GB's original post, "One of the things being said is that I should stop writing restaurant reviews because I'm not an expert" I had to laugh at that. What's it take to be an expert on food you enjoy? Anyway, I for one enjoy your posts about restaurants you've liked. I don't see where you've over complimented or panned them unfairly. You write about your experience and your reactions to it. Who could ask for anything more (except maybe an expert).
Gaybutton Posted May 17, 2009 Author Posted May 17, 2009 I don’t know why you bother to fight with them GB Several have asked that question. All I did was respond to a question about where one can go to get a good steak. I didn't know that was going to trigger off a brouhaha. Why did I let it get as far as it did? Maybe the following answers that question: "Let her gush and jabber. Let her be enthused. I cannot remember When I have been more amused." - Gaston Lachaille, 'Gigi' - The Night They Invented Champagne
atri1666 Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 I dont read baht-stop but i like to see more reviews here
Guest DanT Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 I read all the boards and enjoy reading comments about restaurant "finds" wherever they get posted. Like any opinion, you have to consider the source in judging its merits. In your case, I decided long ago that when it comes to eating out, you usually know the price of everything but rarely its value. If getting negative feedback on other boards bothers you, I suggest you stay here in your own backyard where friendly posters can provide some moral support. The kitchen at Baht-stop is obviously too hot for you to handle.
Gaybutton Posted May 18, 2009 Author Posted May 18, 2009 The kitchen at Baht-stop is obviously too hot for you to handle. Interesting that you come up with comments like that and this is your 4th post on this board. What's your handle on Baht-Stop? Do you actually believe I can't handle message board "heat?" What do you think I've been doing for the last ten years? I can handle "heat" just fine and I don't need positive feedback. I also don't need personal insults when all I tried to do was be helpful. Again, my crime was to offer a restaurant I enjoyed in response to a question asking for suggestions. He also asked where he could get steak tartar and I told him he could get it at Bruno's. Isn't that terrible of me? The 'feedback' I received was nothing but personal insults from the very person who asked for suggestions in the first place. But, considering the source, the postings on that thread are not exactly what I would call 'heat.' Cooking contests and secret restaurants? Give me a break. I also made room for the possibility that people would rather that I don't write any more restaurant reviews. So far, the voting indicates that the overwhelming majority of people who responded do want me to continue. So, unless the voting trend has a dramatic reversal, I intend to continue writing reviews and calling it as I see it. If you and others dislike my reviews, then why are you reading them? It's so simple. If you don't like my reviews, don't read them. You suggest I remain on this board. I'll tell you what - when I want your suggestions I'll ask for them.
Guest GaySacGuy Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 I think your restaruant reviews are great, and they provide another view and ideas as to where to go and what to eat. I don't get to Pattaya too often, but use the reviews when I do. While some poeple may have more money than they need (or more money than brains), I do like to know the cost of items so that I can stay on budget.
Guest DanT Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 Interesting that you come up with comments like that and this is your 4th post on this board. What's your handle on Baht-Stop? What's the difference if I have 4 or 4000 posts like you ? It's quality, not quantity, that counts, which is a lesson you seem not to have learned with dining either. You asked for comments on whether you should continue posting your opinions on restaurants and I gave you mine. You opened that door, not me. Your problem is that you seem to think that people who don't agree with your posts are insulting you. Take my advice. If you can't take it when people disagree with what you post, stop posting. I'm registered as DanT on Bahtstop too, whatever that has to do with anything.
Gaybutton Posted May 18, 2009 Author Posted May 18, 2009 It's quality, not quantity, that counts, which is a lesson you seem not to have learned with dining either. You opened that door, not me. What does that have to do with anything? Here's what you posted on Baht-Stop: _____ Initial speculation from police has been that the women - one from Norway and the other American - may have suffered food poisoning. . .However, there has since been speculation that the women may have eaten cassava that was not properly cooked. ...or eaten at one of Gaybutton's "not to be missed" restaurants. _____ You consider your posts quality posts? You attack on Baht-Stop, and I don't recall posting anything to provoke that attack, and now you come to this board to continue. So far every one of your posts on this board has been a put-down of one kind or another. As far as me opening that door, now I'm closing it. If you wish to continue posting on this board, you're perfectly welcome to post your opinions about the issue, without the personal attacks, whether directed toward me or directed toward anyone else. You gave me an unsolicited suggestion. Now I'm giving you one, but consider it a warning: Don't do it again. I don't think I need to explain how I deal with trolls.
Guest pingalicker Posted May 18, 2009 Posted May 18, 2009 Heck yes keep writing the restaurant reviews. And while you travel also. I remember awhile back, about 2 years or so ago, you wrote about a Chinese restaurant in Bangkok that is located on the same soi as the Malaysia Hotel. It has become one of my all time favorites, due to your writing about your experience there. I remember you wrote that you didn't know the name of it, and I still don't know the name of it as it maybe written in Chinese, but the food is just great there. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Gaybutton Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 Ok, gentlemen, I've got my answer. When I can see that nearly 3 times as many people want me to continue the reviews, as opposed to those who don't, that tells me what I wanted to know. When I find restaurants I like I'm going to continue writing about them, even if they don't chill the salad forks or have tassels on the menus. For those who dislike my reviews and/or dislike the restaurants I recommend, then nobody is forcing you to read the reviews or go to those restaurants. Once again, I'm not trying to tout only those restaurants that meet gourmet standards. I write about restaurants I like regardless of whether they come up to snobbish standards. I don't pretend to be a professional restaurant reviewer. When I find restaurants I haven't been to before, and I try them and like them, I write about them. There are restaurants that meet all tastes and budgets in Pattaya and I like the "good plain food" restaurants as well as the gourmet quality restaurants. In deference to those who think I'm trying to pass off mediocre restaurants as gourmet quality, I'll try to make some sort of distinction in my reviews from now on. Some think I ought to assign ratings and stars to the restaurants. I won't do that for two reasons. One is that my opinion is obviously different from other people's opinions. The other is that I have no idea what criteria goes in to assigning stars. As I said, I'm no professional and I don't try to be. I simply make people aware of these restaurants and describe them as best as I can. Then it's an "up to you" as to whether to try them or not. The complainers are perfectly welcome to write and post their own reviews of restaurants they like, if they so desire. With that, I think enough has been said and I'm closing off the thread now.
