Sunday, January 12, 2014

Setting Things Straight...

By: The Food Hunter
I'd like to take a minute and clear up any misconceptions there might be about myself and/or this blog. First and foremost I'd like to stress that this is a personal blog written by me for my pleasure. This is NOT my job and I do NOT get paid. I have a professional career as a Law Librarian; which is how I support my lifestyle.

I have an undergraduate degree in Journalism and can assure you this is not a newspaper/magazine or any other form of literary prose and I don't treat it that way. This is my sounding board; a place where I can express my thoughts and opinions. It's a place where I can say what I want to say, however I want to say it and no one can tell me otherwise.

Because of this blog I will occasionally receive products/services for free and I'm proud to say that even though they are free my opinions are still my own. I realize some people can't understand this, can't see past the free aspect and give honest feedback. I have to admit I feel sad for these people, that they can be bought for a $50 pan or a $100 dinner.

I'm assuming this all comes down to me being fortunate enough at this point in my life to be able to buy products and/or meals for myself; and strong enough in my ethical beliefs to realize that a product/meal is good or bad no matter what the cost to me. In other words I don't need to pay for something to give you my honest opinion about it.

I have strong beliefs about what I will put into my body and I am never going to compromise those beliefs for any amount of "free product". I'm not shy about telling a company their product is not a good fit for me and my life goals, nor am I afraid to tell a restaurant (even if they paid for my meal) that I won't review it because it doesn't meet my standards.

I want to be clear about one thing...I will not under any circumstance bash a restaurant/product on this blog. From time to time I may mention that something is not my thing but I will always choose not to write about something rather than say something derogatory. I realize that we are all different in our views, tastes, expectations and values. That we are all human and often make mistakes and that I am by no means an authority on most things. Who am I to say something negative about a product/meal and possibly do irreversible damage.

This is what I believe and what I practice. It may not be everyone's policy but it's mine and I'm sticking with it. I hope you as a reader can respect me for standing up for what I believe in. If not, I understand, and respect your decision to move on. But I do hope this gives you a better understanding of who I am and why I do what I do. Going forward I will try to do a better job of disclosing when products/meals were given to me for free. Either way know the opinions are still mine.

This is my happy place and I want to keep it that way.

5 comments:

  1. Woooooo! What happened?! Girl, I am right there with you. Sometimes people don't understand. I get free stuff too and ask to write about it. I never write about things I don't like, and only write about things I like or someone else might. People don't realize all the stuff we turn down and there is some crap we get. lol I am glad you are true and I enjoy reading your blog!! You do what you do because you do it right!!

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  2. Good for you for staying true to yourself! It can be so easy to get wrapped up in the parade of products. Bravo!

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  3. I could have written these exact words. I do take advertising and the blog is definitely an important income producer but staying authentic has always been a part of doing this; even those many years ago when I think I and my girlfriends were the only ones reading it!

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  4. And this is where I give you a standing ovation for staying true to you and speaking your mind! Authenticity is what keeps your readers coming back and for those that don't get it, that's on them. Major kudos!

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