Why is there so much lashon hora on here about restaurants (and other things)

[Euclid]

OP, do you have the same reaction in the reverse scenario, when "influencers" post videos and reviews at restaurants raving about the food?

[aygart]

Your intention and Hashem's Intentions are two different things....

Yeah, but if they end up there they would need to check it up again anyhow.

[aygart]

I can speak for myself that I absolutely use reviews here when deciding where to eat out when I do so as well as which dishes to order. Before flying I check on KSML reviews to know what to expect and to plan for it.

[etech0]

Yeah, but if they end up there they would need to check it up again anyhow.

Both because things could have changed and because what are the chances I'd remember. It would have to have been REALLY bad in that case

[etech0]

I can speak for myself that I absolutely use reviews here when deciding where to eat out when I do so as well as which dishes to order. Before flying I check on KSML reviews to know what to expect and to plan for it.

That makes sense, and if I was going to go to a specific restaurant or city I'd want to read reviews to choose what / where to buy.

[Dan]

Yeah, but if they end up there they would need to check it up again anyhow.

But it can influence where you go in the future.

[aygart]

But it can influence where you go in the future.

Yes. It is therefore a toeles to be written but 

What about people reading reviews about places in locations they have no intention of visiting?

[aygart]

OP, do you have the same reaction in the reverse scenario, when "influencers" post videos and reviews at restaurants raving about the food?

That is known as a paid advertisement.

[Gvann]

OP, do you have the same reaction in the reverse scenario, when "influencers" post videos and reviews at restaurants raving about the food?

Yes, 100%. As I wrote in my original post, one has to think about whether hashkafically it is a good use of their time to be rating food. sure people spending hundreds of dollars should have a nice description of where they go to eat, im "mostly" talking about raving just for the run of the idea of raving.

Do you know how Rabbanim speak out against influencers in their addresses on issues with technology? listen to rabbi wachsmans nekadesh speech and you'll probably feel the same way. https://torahanytime.com/lectures/195540

[Dan]

That is known as a paid advertisement.

Almost never disclosed.

[Dan]

Yes. It is therefore a toeles to be written but 

Can still decide to go somewhere where there's wonderful reviews. At least I do that.

[Gvann]

Almost never disclosed.

speaking from experience?

[aygart]

I have posted RYBs' take on online reviews here, if you are interested. In particular, he has no problem giving it a rating (when backing it up with facts).
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=131402.msg2656425#msg2656425

This deserves to be reposted here

Today's halachos. (You can continue talking about yesterdays.)

In order to post a review online (which is definitely l'toeles), you still must fulfill the rules of toeles. Here are some potential issues to keep in mind:
1.   One’s words will cause damage to the person (which is included in the issur of Loshon Hora, and also the issur of Gorem Nezek Lechatchila), so the damage must be halachically warranted. If it is not (where the rules of toeles have not been accounted for), it is forbidden. [It is forbidden, at least lechatchila, even to cause damage to Akum.]
2.   One must be entirely factual, and not exaggerate even slightly. Thus, one must also avoid using opinionated negative words like terrible or awful.
3.   One must be motivated by the need to help others avoid the pain that one experienced, and not motivated by a desire for revenge.
4.   One must be absolutely certain that the assessment of the product or service is accurate. Believing that the product line as a whole is bad just because yours was defective is, to say the least, unscientific. If you have reason to believe that you will be one of the only ones rating the product, it would not be a good idea. Moreover, even if there are many negative reviews, one must consider the possibility that only those with bad experiences are posting reviews. (I would hope that any review readers consider this possibility, too!)
5.   Similarly, one must consider the possibility that people will see the negative feedback of a product to be reflected on the merchant. As with most cases of toeles, one must avoid causing more damage to the merchant than is warranted by halacha. Thus, one must be certain to state that the issue pertains to the product, and not to the merchant (if this is indeed the case).
6.   Regarding rating the product (such as giving it one or two stars out of five), one can rate it the amount that it deserves – but be sure to back up that rating with facts. I would hope that consumers understand that the rating is completely arbitrary (there are no rules that govern the rating, after all), and they would read the basis of the rating before coming to any conclusions.

Teshuva almost word for word from Rav Berkovits himself (I changed some "He"s to "one"s), this time. Printed in the back of Dovid Jaffe's sefer on Hilchos Loshon Hora, "What Can I Say Today?"

[etech0]

Can still decide to go somewhere where there's wonderful reviews. At least I do that.

But you won't know if a review is wonderful or terrible until you read it

[aygart]

Almost never disclosed.

But always known.

[aygart]

Can still decide to go somewhere where there's wonderful reviews. At least I do that.

Of course. These reviews should be read only when you expect to be there.

[AsherO]

@Dan maybe these rules should be very clearly posted in threads where they are relavant.. (not a link, but the actual list of halachos)

Every thread and every topic should have a halachic Wiki, and also an option to hide/ignore it

*ducks*

[Dan]

Of course. These reviews should be read only when you expect to be there.

I didn't expect to be in Buenos Aires. I read reviews about Asian being the best restaurant in the world and decided to go there when award space popped up.

[Dan]

speaking from experience?

Here at DD, we always disclose. Much to the chagrin of many advertisers.

But always known.

I don't think that's accurate.

[AsherO]

Do you know how Rabbanim speak out against influencers in their addresses on issues with technology? listen to rabbi wachsmans nekadesh speech and you'll probably feel the same way. https://torahanytime.com/lectures/195540

If you consulted this Rabbi about when/how you should use dansdeals (and the rest of the internet) you could probably avoid much of what you consider LH.