What's in a name?

Social media has forever changed how, when, and why people communicate. This blog and so many others like it are a prime example. Let's take "restaurant reviews" as an example. Not-so-long-ago, you would have had to wait for the local newspaper's critic to visit the eatery, and print their review, often weeks or months after they had actually been at the restaurant. Sometimes, by the time the review went to print, the restaurant would be no longer in business. That issue is no longer present with instantaneous reviews by "distinguished" food critics and amateurs alike on blogs or "review" sites like Yelp.com. But can you really trust what you read on such sites? Lately I've witnessed an increase in people racing to post where they are eating, drinking, socializing etc on Facebook. You know, when you see "such and such is at _______(insert hip and uber trendy restaurant or bar here).

I find it confusing at times, since several of my "friends" that enjoy updating the world with details about where they are, seem to be the same ones who post about losing their "personal privacy". But alas, that is another subject for another day. Recently someone posted a "check-in" for the popular sushi restaurant in Sacramento, Mikuni. Only they had spelled the name of the restaurant incorrectly, labeling it "MUkuni". I chuckled a bit to myself, then clicked on the link to make sure I was thinking about the same place (Sacramento definitely has it's fair share of sushi places, and some have very similar names.) To my amusement and dismay, there had been 293 other people that had "checked-in" over the last few months, all of them misspelling the name of the place they were so eager to tell everyone about. It really made me think that people are in such a race to post where they are at and what they are doing, that they truly don't know where they are. I mean, you walked into the restaurant, big sign out front, name plastered all over the menu, napkins, chopsticks...but hey, ignore all of that and get to posting!

My issue not being the misspelling itself, but of the preoccupation with social media and this incessant need by some to post updates every few hours. My recommendation, when you go to your next restaurant, leave your phone in the car, or at least turn it off while you dine. Try something different from the menu. Read the wine list. Ask the waiter/waitress to describe the specials. And before you log-in and grace everyone with the knowledge of where you are stuffing your face, make sure YOU know! There's more to dining than just checking-in.