Hey everyone! I’m curious about how you all handle your visits to new places.
When you go to a restaurant, cafe, or shop that you plan to review on Google Maps, do you let the owner or staff know ahead of time that you’re a Local Guide? Or do you prefer to keep it low-key, observe quietly, and post your review later without saying anything?
I’d love to hear how you approach this and why!
I have trouble thinking of reasons for telling the staff or owner about your review plans except to try to get some special treatment or service.
So this is something I never do. And I believe such reviews are less honest and helpful.
@Elyy baik, mohon izin untuk menjawab ya , kalau saya dari sekian banyak tempat yang saya ulas , mayoritas saya beritahu kak . Saya memang permisi dahulu sebelumnya.
Contoh: mas / mbak , mohon izin saya ulas ya saya mau kasih bintang 
5 di Google Maps dan izinkan saya untuk mengambil gambar.
Seperti itu saya biasanya.
Walaupun ada juga yang saya ulas secara diam2. Namun mayoritas saya permisi . Semoga dapat membantu terima kaish dan tetap semangat ya 
O ya saya suka foto gelasnya keren saya mau contek boleh ya 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @MortenCopenhagen! That definitely makes total sense. Keeping reviews honest and unbiased is super important, and nobody wants it to look like they’re fishing for perks.
I wonder though, does anyone ever mention it after paying the bill, or maybe during a friendly chat with a tiny street food vendor just to let them know you’re trying to help put them on the map?
Would love to hear if others have ever ended up in a situation like that!
Terima kasih banyak, @TitikMariati! 
It’s so interesting to hear your perspective! Asking for permission first is such a polite and respectful way to do it, especially when taking photos of the setup. It’s great to see how different guides approach this!
And thank you so much for the compliment on the photo! Yes, absolutely. Please feel free to use it as inspiration! I’d love to see your version next time you share a post! 
glass cheers!
I prefer to keep my Local Guide status private to ensure that I receive the authentic, everyday customer experience. That’s how they get a true rating from me.
In addition, I feel this prevents biased treatment, it avoids pressure tactics, and protects us from potential confrontations with staff or owners who might take offense to real-time honest photos or notes that you take while on-site.
@Elyy iya terimakasih. Semua saya lakukan karena saya juga pelaku usaha juga kak. Dan saya sangat bahagia dan berterima kasih jika ada klien saya memberikan ulasan baik ke usaha saya. Itu dapat meruntuhkan rasa lelah. Karena sudah lo menggerakkan hati seseorang untuk memberikan ulasan baik ke usaha kita . Jadi dari pengaman tersebutlah saya selalu meminta izin selain bentuk dari apresiasi sudah memberikan pelayanan yang baik , jika tata krama sih kak . Bener gak sih?
Dan sekalipun saya sudah melakukan se demikian rupa saja masih lo ada yang melaporkan saya salah . Hahaha saya jadi tersenyum saya menyikapinya. Karena saya paham gak semua kebaikan di terima dengan baik. Gak papa mungkin juga ada sebab musababnya , anggap saja memang saya yang salah dan semoga dia maafkan siapapun itu. Saya juga sudah memaafkan insyaallah kita saling memaafkan selesai. Jadi saya gak begitu mikirin sikap ornag ke kita biar bisa mikir lainnya . Namanya saya sudah banyak mengulang tempat usaha berkaitan dengan banyak hati, dan saya sebagai lokal guide mau di sikapi seperti apapun saya siyap kok. Itu saja sih serba serbi di dunia lokal guide kak . Dinamika dunia lokal guide di lapangan. Nah gtu , jadi kalau kita melakukannya hanya demi point dan level sayang akun kak yang sudah belasan tahun kita gunakan. Jadi kalau saya , menjadi lokal guide ini saya lakukan karena lillahi ta’ala. Ingin berbuat kebaikan agar Allah yang membalas dengan kebaikan yang berlipat ganda kepada usaha saya , keluarga saya anak2 saya . Saya perhatikan usaha ornag lain agar Allah perhatikan saya. . Itu sih intinya . Wkwkwkkw intinya aja panjang ya kak maapin xixixi
Dan mengenai foto gelas , Sebelumnya izin saya klarifikasi terlebih dahulu ya, bukan saya mau ambil foto gelas kamu itu kak. Maksudnya saya suka dengan cara kmu mengambil fotonya. Bagus saya suka dan saya mau tiru untuk ide konten di Sosmed gtu kak. Saya setiap hari kayak wajib ngonten suka bingung ide dan Alhamdulillah ada saja ide dari temen-teman di sini. Satu forum elit ini seperti sudah menjadi sumber inspirasi dan tempat saya belajar banyak hal di sini . Terima kaish ya kakak sayang luv luv kamu semangat selalu yaaa 
@Dawno ini juga keren sih . Intinya semua sikap pastinya mempunyai alasan masing-masing.
I love keeping things a little secret and watching everything around me, but I think getting some cakes when you’re feeling hungry is a wonderful idea!.?. 
Hello @Elyy
I don’t usually visit any places to give reviews, but rather for my own needs. I write reviews based on my experience after the visit, without discussing them with the authorities of the establishment.
I ask them if taking photos or videos is OK at their business @Elyy
Only when they ask for the reason do I tell them about Maps and reviews.
If they still do not understand or do not appreciate it, I do not bother to leave a review either. I somehow believe a review without a photo or video is incomplete, hence worthless. Moreover, businesses that do not understand or believe the review and rating do not deserve my time.
So true @DawnO! I hadn’t even thought about the confrontation side of it, but that makes complete sense. Taking pictures discreetly definitely saves you from having to deal with awkward questions or staff getting defensive while you’re still sitting there eating. Thanks for sharing this!
Haha, fair point @Mahtab.A! I mean, who could honestly say no to free cake? 
But I definitely agree, observing quietly from the background is half the fun of being a Local Guide!
Love this approach @Designer_Biswajit! Keeping it simple and just letting the experience happen naturally usually leads to the most practical reviews anyway.
I really respect that you ask about photos/videos first @TusharSuradkar! That’s super polite, and it naturally opens up the conversation without feeling forced. Plus, I agree that good visual context makes a review so much more useful to people!
No, I’m not much of a people person, so I’d rather do my stuff without talking to anybody. I do a lot more photographing than reviewing, and if there’s anyone around to see me, I’ll likely go away without doing it.
Also note, I don’t usually go out to do reviews. While I’m out, an opportunity might arise to take a few photos. Later when I’m uploading those photos at home, a review might also seem like a sensible thing to do. At that point, of course, I’m no longer at the place to tell the staff I’m going to do a review. So, no, that never happens.
Totally fair point @tony_b! Photos often speak louder than words anyway. Also it’s neat how we all contribute in completely different ways depending on our comfort zone and habits. Thanks for sharing your perspective!
