When I was trying to understand what I love sharing on Google Maps, I decided to turn to my own reviews to see what most of them have in common. Mm… Not the things a girl would like to discover about herself: toilets and alcohol.
Well, the second one is kind of obvious: I can enjoy a drink or two in a good company in my leisure. Perhaps even without a company. Perhaps I’m not even sure how many cocktails I had at times. Don’t jump to a premature conclusion about me being an alcoholic as you would be only partially right: I used to be one in my childhood, currently I’m a semi-sophisticated drunk. The truth is, being adult, you can’t afford to drink too much (or too lousy) booze, and you develop certain tastes for certain moods. My reviews on cocktails or beer should answer major questions a fellow guide may have when looking for a place that suits his drinking expectations: are the recipes used classic\modern? Is the beer sour\sweet\bitter? Are the drinks served graphically appealing or unique in any other pleasant or unpleasant way? Is it affordable to get drunk here? Is it safe to drink here late at night? These are all important factors for responsible drinkers who try to avoid surprises and disappointment. You don’t want to feel sober after 15 pricey cocktails or swallow a horrific concoction which makes you rediscover your faith in god. Hence, such reviews are as valuable as reviews on food or hospitals - they ensure your satisfaction and good health the following morning.
The information about the decency of toilets is essential for all of us, let’s be frank. Hanging out at a pub, you don’t want to step in somebody’s waste or wet your pants while waiting in a queue to just one restroom. If you go to a park, you need to know whether you can allow yourself some coffee or water without resort to public urination.
Being a lady, I always think about these matters as everything should be done with grace and dignity.
This is the beauty of Google Maps. It’s a chance to inform each other about something we’re interested in knowing, but probably wouldn’t dare ask a colleague or an acquaintance. It’s a way to be aware of what is going on around you and be ready for it. So, even though I was embarrassed to notice what I include in my reviews, I will keep on doing it. This is my idea of public service ?
