Restaurant Social Media
Stop Suze Orman from Biting the Hands that Feed Her
I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.
So-called financial “guru” Suze Orman believes the way “that average Americans” can dig their way out of the Global Recession is “to stop going out to eat at restaurants.” Wait. Are you kidding me? Boycott an industry of 13 million workers, the 3rd largest employer in America? This kind of advice sounds like a manure salesperson with a mouthful of samples. Here’s a better idea: maybe Suze’s fund manager friends could throw a few of their recent bonus bucks in the pot instead? After all, it’s Wall Street greed-grabbers, not hard-working foodservice employees who got us in this mess in the first place. Suggesting that the way to recoup an anemic 401k is by shunning the restaurant businessis like bowling for enlightenment; there’s simply no logical cause-and-effect.
By proffering this inane “advice”—which serves only to hurt the one industry that continues to create jobs in this tumbling economy--Ms Orman demonstrates equal parts stupidity and elitism. If her voice was heard only through an obscure blog, I wouldn’t be so concerned. But since October Ms. Orman has continuously opined staying home to eat on her own cable show, Larry King Live, and the Today show. And worse, as a regular guest on Oprah, Orman repeats the same bad advice to Winfrey’s millions ‘o minions. Oy. And since TV feeds on both itself and mediocrity--Fred Allen once famously remarked that TV is called a medium because it’s rare that it’s ever well done--Orman’s fellow pundits from both the media left and the media right—Olberman, Hannity, and O’Reilly—are now spouting the same misguided advice.
Here’s my thought: maybe Suze, Keith, Sean, Bill and Oprah et. al. might want to do a special on which US industry ISN’T in line for a government handout, bailout or get-out-of-jail-free card. Or which industry employs more Americans than General Motors, Wall Street, or Fox News…combined. Yes. It’s us, foodservice. The restaurant industry has 945,000 locations and employs over 13 million people, making it the nation's largest employer outside the government. Our annual sales: $566 Billion. Maybe not as much as Oprah, but surely dwarfing Suze’s stash. But when consumers stop going out to eat you start laying off foodservice employees, foodservice distributors, foodservice brokers, foodservice manufacturers (and lby extension, their families) and we lay more waste to state tax rolls for services and unemployment. But what the heck, it's all good, Suze sold a few more books, and she's pimpin' her new one big-time.
Another point to consider: where does Suze think all her laid-off banking and financial advisor friends are going to find their next job until the TARP money (funded by foodservice employees et. al.) comes through? Right here in OUR kitchens, dining rooms, and industry. By telling Americans to stop patronizing our industry as a money-saving strategy you’re only showing how out of touch--not how in tune--you are with the people you claim to be “just like” and “the financial conscious” of.
Ms Orman’s intention is probably that Americans need to be more prudent with spending, and that is so, but why suggest that going to a restaurant is financially flamboyant? And why is she specifically singling out our cornerstone industry for boycott? Look, I know there are bigger and better issues to be concerned about today than a TV talking head's POV, and this isn't a post about "blaming the media" for industry woes. It's about standing up, and the line in the sand has to be drawn somehwere. We’ve been the media’s whipping boy for far too long and have taken it far too quietly. Sure, some raps we deserve, but most we don't. Well it stops here, at least with me. I am going to ask the National Restaurant Association and my state restaurant association to please forward a list of pro-industry talking points and rebuttals off to these media influence peddlers ASAP. I am going to post this same advice on my home page at www.sullivision.com to alert and mobilize my community on the issue, and have already sent a related e-mail to the NY Times and my local newspaper. There's only so much time in the day, so maybe you can ask two of your managers or team members to write to your local papers and get the other side of the story out. It’s starts with us and spreads outward from here. But first it must start. Now is the time, this is the place, you are the person. None of us are as strong as all of us.
And here‘s a final suggestion that’s as down-to-earth as Home Plate: ask your family, friends and employees to cancel their subscription to “O” magazine, and not to buy the new Suze Orman book. Suggest they put the money they’ve saved into a nice meal, a good lunch, or a quick breakfast at your restaurant, or any restaurant. Phone in to the next talkshow she’s on hawking her book and call B.S. on her restaurant boycott advice. I shudder to think what other pearls of wisdom she's offering a shell-shocked and skittish populace.
How best to mobilize the FohBoh Nation and beyond? Post now and pass it on.
So-called financial “guru” Suze Orman believes the way “that average Americans” can dig their way out of the Global Recession is “to stop going out to eat at restaurants.” Wait. Are you kidding me? Boycott an industry of 13 million workers, the 3rd largest employer in America? This kind of advice sounds like a manure salesperson with a mouthful of samples. Here’s a better idea: maybe Suze’s fund manager friends could throw a few of their recent bonus bucks in the pot instead? After all, it’s Wall Street greed-grabbers, not hard-working foodservice employees who got us in this mess in the first place. Suggesting that the way to recoup an anemic 401k is by shunning the restaurant businessis like bowling for enlightenment; there’s simply no logical cause-and-effect.
By proffering this inane “advice”—which serves only to hurt the one industry that continues to create jobs in this tumbling economy--Ms Orman demonstrates equal parts stupidity and elitism. If her voice was heard only through an obscure blog, I wouldn’t be so concerned. But since October Ms. Orman has continuously opined staying home to eat on her own cable show, Larry King Live, and the Today show. And worse, as a regular guest on Oprah, Orman repeats the same bad advice to Winfrey’s millions ‘o minions. Oy. And since TV feeds on both itself and mediocrity--Fred Allen once famously remarked that TV is called a medium because it’s rare that it’s ever well done--Orman’s fellow pundits from both the media left and the media right—Olberman, Hannity, and O’Reilly—are now spouting the same misguided advice.
Here’s my thought: maybe Suze, Keith, Sean, Bill and Oprah et. al. might want to do a special on which US industry ISN’T in line for a government handout, bailout or get-out-of-jail-free card. Or which industry employs more Americans than General Motors, Wall Street, or Fox News…combined. Yes. It’s us, foodservice. The restaurant industry has 945,000 locations and employs over 13 million people, making it the nation's largest employer outside the government. Our annual sales: $566 Billion. Maybe not as much as Oprah, but surely dwarfing Suze’s stash. But when consumers stop going out to eat you start laying off foodservice employees, foodservice distributors, foodservice brokers, foodservice manufacturers (and lby extension, their families) and we lay more waste to state tax rolls for services and unemployment. But what the heck, it's all good, Suze sold a few more books, and she's pimpin' her new one big-time.
Another point to consider: where does Suze think all her laid-off banking and financial advisor friends are going to find their next job until the TARP money (funded by foodservice employees et. al.) comes through? Right here in OUR kitchens, dining rooms, and industry. By telling Americans to stop patronizing our industry as a money-saving strategy you’re only showing how out of touch--not how in tune--you are with the people you claim to be “just like” and “the financial conscious” of.
Ms Orman’s intention is probably that Americans need to be more prudent with spending, and that is so, but why suggest that going to a restaurant is financially flamboyant? And why is she specifically singling out our cornerstone industry for boycott? Look, I know there are bigger and better issues to be concerned about today than a TV talking head's POV, and this isn't a post about "blaming the media" for industry woes. It's about standing up, and the line in the sand has to be drawn somehwere. We’ve been the media’s whipping boy for far too long and have taken it far too quietly. Sure, some raps we deserve, but most we don't. Well it stops here, at least with me. I am going to ask the National Restaurant Association and my state restaurant association to please forward a list of pro-industry talking points and rebuttals off to these media influence peddlers ASAP. I am going to post this same advice on my home page at www.sullivision.com to alert and mobilize my community on the issue, and have already sent a related e-mail to the NY Times and my local newspaper. There's only so much time in the day, so maybe you can ask two of your managers or team members to write to your local papers and get the other side of the story out. It’s starts with us and spreads outward from here. But first it must start. Now is the time, this is the place, you are the person. None of us are as strong as all of us.
And here‘s a final suggestion that’s as down-to-earth as Home Plate: ask your family, friends and employees to cancel their subscription to “O” magazine, and not to buy the new Suze Orman book. Suggest they put the money they’ve saved into a nice meal, a good lunch, or a quick breakfast at your restaurant, or any restaurant. Phone in to the next talkshow she’s on hawking her book and call B.S. on her restaurant boycott advice. I shudder to think what other pearls of wisdom she's offering a shell-shocked and skittish populace.
How best to mobilize the FohBoh Nation and beyond? Post now and pass it on.
Tags: image, industry, leadership, oprah, orman, suze, training
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim Sullivan on -
Susan, you rock. Muchas gracias mi amiga! --JS
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Permalink Reply by Patti on -
Right on Jim!
I am behind you all the way with drawing the line in the sand- this is wrongfully hurtful to a huge industry!
I posted your article to my face book wall & I have over 1400 hospitality worker friends! I would sure like to see someone/thing to get her to shut up & eat her words! Elitism does sum it up quite properly as well-
What a stupid broadbrush statement for her to make- I am really furious that she can just go everywhere spouting this garbage and worse the rest of the talking bobble heads joining her!
Good luck in your quest to stop her nonsense! Your article was very. very well written!
Sincerely,
Patti Hauffe
37 years in foodservice!!!
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Permalink Reply by Paul Paz on -
Suzie Orman vs Rush Limbaugh … Dueling Diners!
Caught this on the newswires out of Ohio.
Paul
LaRoe's Restaurant vs. The Oprah
Rush Limbaugh Website February 17, 2009
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_021709/content/01125112...
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Permalink Reply by DJMC on -
Suze Orman is a laugh riot.......We love Kristen Wiig's SNL version of the uptight gender-preference-impaired consumer advocate!
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Permalink Reply by Doug Golden on -
This is a most tricky subject for me to reply on. I am not "in" the restaurant industry but 90% of my income comes from it. My income has dramatically declined the past 6 months and by all economic barometers it will continue to do so. So the irony is that I have less money to spend on the very industry that is my livelyhood.
I have a family of 7 which includes 5 kids under the age of 12. As you can imagine we are on a strict budget. Normally the whole family would dine out 3-4 times a month, just the wife and I, 2-3 times a month. This would equate to around $700 per month. We have always viewed dining out as a "treat" and by no means a necessity. The money used was considered disposable income. No different than a movie, bowling, etc. Well, for many americans their disposable income is shrinking. Unfortunately we are at the point where we eat out about half the time we used to and it looks like it may be down to none if things continue.
If you can afford to eat out... do so. If you cannot... I understand.
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Permalink Reply by Chef James Brisson on -
It is Ironic since Suze started her career in the Restaurant Business working for her Father. I have appeared with Suze Orman on TV over the years and just cannot believe that she would say this!
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Permalink Reply by Steve Paterson on -
The thing is....I rate her credibility level so low, that what she says means nothing to me.
But I am not a Sheeple.
Do people actually follow through on things she recommends?
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Spivey on -
Yes. Suze has a wonderful suggestion to tank one of the largest employers in the country. Let's have everyone be out of work! We could also all grow our own food so the grocery stores can tank too. And when we're all sitting at home out of work, gas stations can close and we won't need clothing for work. We could bomb our entire retail economy and shelter in our houses.
-- Sandi (with a Taco Bell wink)
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Permalink Reply by Paul Paz on
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Suze's on Oprah today...
Tune in and see if she responds to the restaurant industry "outrage"!
Paul
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Permalink Reply by Eric Tyson on -
Good Stuff!
You might enjoy this piece I did on Orman:
http://www.erictyson.com/articles/20090127
- Eric Tyson
Syndicated Columnist
Best-Selling Author of Personal Finance for Dummies
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Permalink Reply by Heather Ransome on -
It is correct that Suze started her career as a waitress, and built her first business by borrowing money from some of her "regular" customers. What if they would have stayed home and budgeted their money? Where would she be now?
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