tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post1229292156726042395..comments2024-02-03T04:15:25.631-08:00Comments on Food, she thought.: Asian Fusion Food Truck Gives the Smack Down to Food, She ThoughtFood, she thought.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04510492084023508648noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-20231345579625730352010-04-11T20:02:30.383-07:002010-04-11T20:02:30.383-07:00Dear Ms PR
I take your side in this argument
Being...Dear Ms PR<br />I take your side in this argument<br />Being real is what got your crew to the top<br />keep it up<br />you have cajonesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-11520269219715156462009-06-19T14:24:14.851-07:002009-06-19T14:24:14.851-07:00I am not suprised...
The person in question is Al...I am not suprised...<br /><br />The person in question is Alice Shin, self appointed Kogi "PR" person and full time grad student. She's not even SoCal based. She's somewhere on the East Coast. <br /><br />I know Alice's cousin and the reputation in the family is that Alice is a little bit of a space cadet. Creative, independed minded, but she's also known as the queen of snark. The sooner her older sister and brother-in-law replace her with someone who has more, ahem... "professional" PR experience, the better.<br /><br />I once wrote an email to Alice and she sent me a similarly condecending reply. She probably didn't know that I knew her family otherwise she would have been more, how shall I say? More "muted" in her response. <br /><br />I forwarded her email to her cousins and we all got a good laugh. "Yeah, sounds just like Alice," they would tell me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-2767189434034089232009-06-19T14:21:12.366-07:002009-06-19T14:21:12.366-07:00I am not suprised...
The person in question is Al...I am not suprised...<br /><br />The person in question is Alice Shin, self appointed Kogi "PR" person and full time grad student. She's not even SoCal based. She's somewhere on the East Coast. <br /><br />I know Alice's cousin and the reputation in the family is that Alice is a little bit of a space cadet. Creative, independed minded, but she's also known as the queen of snark. The sooner her older sister and brother-in-law replace her with someone who has more, ahem... "professional" PR experience, the better.<br /><br />I once wrote to Alice and she sent me a similarly condecending reply. She probably didn't know that I knew her family otherwise she would have been more, how shall I say? More "muted" in her response. I forwarded her email to me to her cousins and we all got a good laugh. Yeah, sounds just like Alice, they would tell me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-86027938676941390742009-06-07T12:20:31.687-07:002009-06-07T12:20:31.687-07:00wow,they have major attitude, I also experienced i...wow,they have major attitude, I also experienced it first hand myself.they should hire a professional PR person with all that $$ they get from their overpriced and overrated food.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-91071265585164169702009-06-03T11:30:24.538-07:002009-06-03T11:30:24.538-07:00This kind of response from a PR person, however am...This kind of response from a PR person, however amateur, shocks me. That said, she probably taught you a good lesson that will serve you in future dealings with other PR people/food professionals.<br /><br />I once ran the website for a show that was a bit of a cultural phenomenon and I can't tell you how many inquiries I received that were identical to yours. Frustrating, because they were obviously cut and paste and most of the answers were on our faq page. <br /><br />She still shouldn't have responded so rudely. Your initial email was a bit rude, though I'm guessing it was unintentional. It's obvious that she wanted to knock you down and that was unnecessary. <br /><br />Hey, lesson learned. I think this woman, and all of you bloggers out there, shouldn't take yourselves too seriously.Swelikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-53547518298936974572009-06-02T13:23:56.919-07:002009-06-02T13:23:56.919-07:00To the people who are justifying this girl's respo...To the people who are justifying this girl's response - she is a professional public relations representative (supposedly). Her job is not to defend herself from perceived slights. It's to promote the brand, which in this case is her sister and brother-in-law's taco truck. If she were doing her job right, she would already have pat responses to these questions, such as, "We launched the first truck at the end of 2008, but the idea goes much further back than that," etc. <br /><br />Most people are flattered when someone takes an interest in them. Hell, most PR people have to hound magazines, newspapers and blogs with their products. If doing her job is too annoying or time consuming for her, she needs to let someone else do it. I have a friend who runs her own PR firm and has more than one client she has to deal with - and the clients can be just as hard to work with as the media. I mean, she's doing PR for a unique, tasty product that basically sells itself!<br /><br />I'm also surprised she didn't respond to you with capital "L"s in all her words, the way she blogs. "Writing" major, indeed.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11524722358137777557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-59981139079843635622009-05-27T14:26:41.671-07:002009-05-27T14:26:41.671-07:00I have spoken with a lot of PR people for my artic...I have spoken with a lot of PR people for my articles, and they have always been extraordinarily lovely and helpful. Usually you can't find people more pleasant than those in PR. This chick could not possibly be a professional, though I do believe she's someone's sister--that's the only way she could get that job.<br /><br />And your request sounded very nice to me- if a little formal. I've been lucky to have always had a publication's name to drop. And saying you're writing for a publication, no matter how small or new, always seems to get a positive response.<br /><br /> I think you did the right thing in posting this letter and in stirring up the bloggosphere. As a fairly new writer/journalist myself, it's very helpful to see so many different opinions on how to approach an interviewee.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17234592414010238930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-65057411691365808942009-05-24T14:23:47.580-07:002009-05-24T14:23:47.580-07:00alice sounds like a secret internet fatty.alice sounds like a secret internet fatty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-17996141198240364102009-05-24T09:50:51.141-07:002009-05-24T09:50:51.141-07:00As a fellow fan blogger I'm pretty shocked at the ...As a fellow fan blogger I'm pretty shocked at the response you got. Several people have commented that you or any blogger should first send out an email introducing yourself. Instead of just jumping in with a question. And yes that would have been a nice way to start off. But PR people need to realize that fan bloggers (those not owned by Gawker Media, AOL or other corps) are run by non-professionals. Sometimes we don't know how to contact them properly. But with that said they need to know that we can deliver better niche targeted readers. <br /><br />I've been lucky that I get positive responses about 80% of the time. Another 15% I never hear from and fine with me as usually a smaller newer competitor will be happy to help me out. And then there is the other 5% that doesn't really get it but are glad to add me to an email blast. <br /><br />Fan blogging and not corporate blogging is the wild wild west and not every PR person knows how to react. But almost all know that to spend more time mocking you then what they could have spent less time giving you correct answers. Hell even sending your a pdf press kit at the very lest.Joelhttp://the17thman.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-45046693356387223642009-05-22T09:23:38.601-07:002009-05-22T09:23:38.601-07:00As a reporter myself, I do agree that it seems unp...As a reporter myself, I do agree that it seems unprofessional that a PR person would just go off like that, but it sounds like you wanted a genuine and candid response and you got it. <br /><br />If only more PR people had the courage to respond like this. If this really is the business I'm sure many of us are thinking, then they've just earned another life customer here. I'm sorry they hurt your freelancer newbie feelings, but them's the breaks and we all had to learn to be better reporters somewhere down the line from getting kicked around like this. <br /><br />Those questions, indeed, were rather vague and unpersonalized, and the PERSON on the other end would probably have appreciated that initial e-mail of introduction. <br /><br />Sorry, fellow journalist, gotta site Kant's categorical imperative: treat people as an end, not a means.Mairenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-10178611616987258492009-05-22T05:29:40.625-07:002009-05-22T05:29:40.625-07:00I have commented in Eater LA, and now will do so b...I have commented in Eater LA, and now will do so briefly here. People commenting in both places seem to enjoy arguing whether or not you did something wrong. That is neither here nor there. The response is immature and rude. If she worked for me in any capacity I would have fired her. Her response was shockingly rude. What you wrote in your email to this person does not even appear on the radar in terms of importance. You might consider changing the way you initiate contact with future subjects in articles that you are writing. I am not going to give that another second of my time. It is immaterial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-61354434058451071232009-05-21T23:06:09.293-07:002009-05-21T23:06:09.293-07:00I am not a restaurant owner nor I am a food blogge...I am not a restaurant owner nor I am a food blogger, but I am a journalist, and that said as much as I'd love to take your side I have to side with Kogi. Your questions made it look like a cookie cutter email you were sending out to every truck in the city, and considering your first question was, "How long have you been in business", I think the Kogi reps' biggest mistake was justifying you with a response at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-55897978935759814882009-05-21T18:18:30.428-07:002009-05-21T18:18:30.428-07:00This is unacceptable. There is no reason that the...This is unacceptable. There is no reason that they respond in such a snarky manner, whether or not your questions were not well-researched or professional. It doesn't matter if you're a journalist, student writer, etc, they should treat everyone with some dignity. <br /><br />They simply need to replace their "little sister" PR with someone reputable. She is driving their business downhill. She has no skills as a PR except to Twitter with Capital letters in all places they shouldn't be. <br /><br />Because of your post, I'm going to Calbi or any other knock off instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-81264799154870988752009-05-21T17:41:10.166-07:002009-05-21T17:41:10.166-07:00Clearly their PR person is doing /something/ right...Clearly their PR person is doing /something/ right, because I've never seen so much press / hype about so little. I mean Kogi is what it is, but does it really deserve (repeated) mention in the NYT?Willhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246418566389009505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-38915665370013916692009-05-21T17:05:19.861-07:002009-05-21T17:05:19.861-07:00Wow. Folks are real touchy around these parts. The...Wow. Folks are real touchy around these parts. The response was actually quite polite, though direct. The original inquiry actually showed no appreciation for the restaurants she was contacting. The language is generic and reads like a form letter cribbed directly from "Effective Cover Letters R Us."<br /><br />I, personally, would be ashamed for that letter to represent me as a food blogger. It shows that I'm not really interested in what I'm doing or whom I'm speaking with.<br /><br />In comparison, look at the great answer the rep provides for one of the questions. It was a real question. The other questions could easily have been answered with a simple search or common sense. It's almost as painful as watching interviews of accident survivors and everyone asks a variation of "Where were you going?" or "Does this give you second thoughts about traveling this way again?"<br /><br />It wasn't the nicest response, but far from this ridiculing and shame that folks are making this out to be. And press rep did provide explanation and examples. It wasn't just a get outta my face! If people need their hand held and gold stars for each learning experience in life, then get outta the kitchen. You're wasting the heat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-33483453849492657412009-05-21T16:51:26.865-07:002009-05-21T16:51:26.865-07:00Anonymous, I think we'll just simply have to agree...Anonymous, I think we'll just simply have to agree to disagree on this one. <br /><br />Which is perfectly ok. Cheers.Carahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07179505638291621597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-52580905671942684512009-05-21T16:28:43.619-07:002009-05-21T16:28:43.619-07:00rlorenzo,
are you not working or something or h...rlorenzo,<br /> are you not working or something or have never ran operated or been a part of a business? sending a "shotgun" email isnt the point and the "pr" person should have never responded like an ass regardless the questions that are asked. any business savvy person knows that being an asshole is not good for business, image, or anyone.<br /><br /> i guess the "truck" in discussion here should not list "pr" or relatives associated with their business if they dont want to be bothered with questions since they are far to busy with their business, all the girl had to do was say, i am sorry i cant help you, not slam the poor girl who wrote asking a few questions, bite the hands that feed you, without people lining up to eat their food they would not have the business and there would be no more "taco truck" and all the hipster foodies who refuse to spend money on anything but ramen pho and taco trucks would be out of a 2 hour wait while being able to dress up and act too cool waiting in line. <br /><br />i cant wait til the food scene here grows more to weed out the idiots who need to be humbled. this next year there are a lot of new places headed out here and i highly doubt there "pr" people will be driving away people with their bullshit attitudes.craignoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-85537292596446745282009-05-21T13:48:03.996-07:002009-05-21T13:48:03.996-07:00I say you find out where lil' sis *is* working exa...I say you find out where lil' sis *is* working exactly, show up, smile happily, and say, "Hey, can we try this again?"<br /><br />I'd like to see if this jackass has the guts to be such a jerk to your face. My guess: prolly not.Lisa Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00351354517460081133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-18801264571006936662009-05-21T13:45:52.226-07:002009-05-21T13:45:52.226-07:00Anonymous, where is the evidence of bitterness? O...Anonymous, where is the evidence of bitterness? One example?<br /><br />Katherine and Lorenzo, she is supposedly a relative and listed as contact for PR on their website.<br /><br />Personally, had I to choose between being someone who has a lot to learn about journalism or a someone rude and classless, I would always choose to be the person on the road to getting an education. Politeness and graciousness are much harder to learn than journalism skills.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-23975879093721982502009-05-21T12:48:58.184-07:002009-05-21T12:48:58.184-07:00I think this girl should take the response and lea...I think this girl should take the response and learn from it. Really, your questions were asinine and you are basically sending a shotgun email to everyone and expecting good feedback? Naive! <br /><br />You said you were a fan of this place before, then you should have made a more custom email to them. <br /><br />For other places you doesn't know yet, you can send a generic email. <br /><br />The person you emailed is that, a "Person", not a PR rep like you keep on saying.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15312188423075650791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-2214440983817108472009-05-21T12:36:23.039-07:002009-05-21T12:36:23.039-07:00Liz,
Hi, fellow food writer here! Someone asked t...Liz,<br /><br />Hi, fellow food writer here! Someone asked this upthread, and I'd love to know the answer as well: was this PR person in-house, or working for a hired PR company? If it's the latter, I'm even more fascinated by the response you received.<br /><br />Either way, this bitchery goes completely against the sort of DIY ethos gourmet food trucks seem to espouse.<br /><br />-Katherine SpiersKatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03761234277947078620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-40616014628587059762009-05-21T11:36:57.978-07:002009-05-21T11:36:57.978-07:00Cara, the blogger is bitter and took to her blog t...Cara, the blogger is bitter and took to her blog to vent her frustration. All fine, if you like to air your dirty laundry in the blogosphere. I don't agree with her decision to post the emails in their entirety, which I believe is rather tacky and childish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-88728497369065877272009-05-21T11:19:39.039-07:002009-05-21T11:19:39.039-07:00Keep it up Liz! I think they're way over hyped for...Keep it up Liz! I think they're way over hyped for ok food and all this attention has gotten to their bloated heads and ego.Ravenous Couplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12235615810314005456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-23559859004932522432009-05-21T10:18:27.537-07:002009-05-21T10:18:27.537-07:00As a business associate of mine from Singapore use...As a business associate of mine from Singapore used to say: when you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.<br /><br />Everyone with a hankering for bol gogi tacos should check out Calbi: www.CalbiBBQ.com<br /><br />I hit them up near USC on McCarthy at Jefferson the other day (a second truck was parked around the corner on Hoover & Jefferson). Not only was there no line, the counter person was extremely friendly and helpful. I've never eaten at a different Asian fusion truck for comparison, but I thoroughly enjoyed Calbi's oferings. <br /><br />Keep your chin up, Liz! Your blog is great!vivajoyriothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110567240283358048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830444700214945787.post-40151851177655292122009-05-21T10:12:18.417-07:002009-05-21T10:12:18.417-07:00I love how the people who have negative comments p...I love how the people who have negative comments post them anonymously, such cowardice. Anyway, the PR response made me laugh because all I could think was that they so need a new job!Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959650452817406209noreply@blogger.com