'Topic of the Week': Week In Review; Communicating a Bad Experience

Thanks for the comments on this most recent 'Topic of the Week' at The Brew Lounge. As was pointed out to me both online and off, many people find it difficult to give critical/negative feedback. I can understand this; however, I find it more perplexing when I hear this from certain industry writers and critics who claim they will not write about a beer or an establishment with which they have had a bad experience. As I pointed out earlier, I feel it's incumbent upon the consumers to be heard from but perhaps even more so imperative that respected industry writers do the same. As for an approach, I think that Jeff may have summed it up nicely with his comment. Instead of taking the approach of not saying anything if you don't have anything nice to say, he suggests that you "give two positive compliments first, before you give a negative criticism." Excellent advice from a former coach of his. It sure does suggest that you can see the big picture and not just focus on the negative. If we take this approach, I like the odds that some of our average and substandard bars, brewpubs, and beers may improve to our liking.