As India moves up the economic development ladder, the lower-middle-class is spending more and the middle-class as a whole is trying out new things. This ranges from travel to food to museums to hidden gems and what not. The upper-middle class is out for experiences.
This economic progression was predicted and therefore, led to mushrooming of outlets that claim to provide the best service. In the classic example of two identical shops selling similar goods, but one having a lot of customers and the other having none; the inflection starts from the first customer, because the second customer assumes that the first one has exercised diligence.
As a first customer for all those after me, it is important for me to share what I experienced. As a researcher, “standing on the shoulder of giants” is ingrained in most of my transactions. At a broader level, my generation has the onus of acquainting the previous generation with new things, new technologies, new places, cuisines, hotels, gadgets and what not; because, unlike us, they did not grow up with these. Fighting scepticism would require a better knowledge than one would have. Reviews help immensely in that.
If I take my parents to a new restaurant instead not their usual place or to a place their friends own(very usual in our circle), and
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I do not know where the parking is
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I order something definitely not to be ordered
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I forget to try the best thing
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I do not account for whether the washrooms are clean
it would not only reduce their experience and my happiness, it would also make them wary of trying out something new the next time around. On the other hand, if I inform them of this, and work around some things, it might make them more comfortable and confident.
On a more specific note, I review restaurants and hotels, that I visit as part of my work. The interest in eating is consistently on the higher side worldwide and more so in India (see graphs). We are destined to 3 meals a day, and when travelling each one of those should count.
