Voice of the Restaurant Industry®
How to Stop Suze Orman from Biting the Hands that Feeds 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.
Comment
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Comment by Paul Paz on April 2, 2009 at 12:24pm -
Suze's on Oprah today...
Tune in and see if she responds to the restaurant industry "outrage"!
Paul
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Comment by Todd Doemel on March 6, 2009 at 6:09am -
I enjoy your passion and completly agree that our fascination with television personalities sometimes clouds our nations senses but I am concerned about a statement you make early in your post and hope that you have just fallen prey to the mantra and are not trying to forward an agenda yourself. The statement "After all, it’s Wall Street greed-grabbers, not hard-working foodservice employees who got us in this mess in the first place. " Couldn't be further from the truth and is in fact what many people of blame on Capital Hill will have us believe so they can keep their nice comfy jobs.
I will try to keep this as non-political as possible but since many of you have shared your political beliefs I will too. I am a conservative.
Many months ago when the economic down turn really began to worrry all of us I tried to get my mind around the root cause. I spoke to friends and family in the financial world, spoke to my congressmen and senators and read at length. I was being told that the root cause of all of this was that America thought it was the right thing to do to manufacture the "American Dream" for people that were not yet able to ascend to the dream themselves. Namely, home ownership. I kept asking myself, how can something so seemingly small have created this mess. The truth is, as I have come to believe, is that this mess is not caused by the "Wall Street Greed Grabbers". Did they profit, yes, did many other industries profit, OH YES. You need only look at the industries that are the most troubled to see which industries benefited most. Construction, auto, travel and yes maybe mostly the greed grabbing Wall Street Types. They also feel the pain.
Forcing banks to allow home purchases by people who have no ability to pay mortgages and then allowing Fannie Mae and institutions like that to buy these mortgages WAS the beginning of the downfall. Please study this yourself. Most of all don't allow the people trying to hide their sins by pointing the blame elsewhere brainwash you.
Our industry is suffering like most others. I can't believe anyone would go on national television and make ignorant comments suggesting people stop eating out. Let's hope we can get this mess turned around without too much more harm.
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Comment by Ed Cohen on February 27, 2009 at 1:25pm -
First time reader. . . first time writer.
Recently, I've been faced with a personal dilemma. In an effort to save I have been more mindful of my spending and as an industry executive I find it important to support both local and national accounts; however, I have began to question my tipping behavior. I'm not talking the waitstaff in a dine-in setting, although I am making it harder for a server to receive 20% and still don't know what's best when adding a $50 wine bottle. I have noticed that I no longer give my dollar and change to the local coffee "counter culture" or I question what's the proper amount to tip a bartender when I pop-in to pick-up my favorite bar burger (and don't order a drink) and than last night I had a very awkward door moment when I wasn't sure what to do with the Chinese delivery guy who already tacked on $3 to my order.
My fear is that by pulling tips I'm still affecting the restaurant industry natural order. What's a good restaurant guy to do?
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Comment by Pat Jack on February 21, 2009 at 8:11pm -
Suze probably owns stock in companies that will benefit if people don't go out and eat as much. When somebody says something that is 'crazy' and damaging to the economy then there is always a reason and the most obvious one in this case is greed.
How will Suze profit? Maybe she owns stock in a frozen foods company or a company that produces goods for supermarkets.
Ignorance is often coupled with greed.
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Comment by Michael McNamara on February 21, 2009 at 6:28pm - Spot on as usual Jim! I just sent Suze a link to your blog and will follow up with our state restaurant association as well!
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Comment by Jeff Cooper on February 18, 2009 at 7:01am - Well said Jim, I will pass this along for sure
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Comment by Ty Sullivan on February 18, 2009 at 6:17am - Jim, from one Sullivan to another, I'm letting you know, your words are going to be lifted from these pages and pasted into more emails than I know what to do with! Love the rant! And I'm a ranter called The TYrade on line (I hear you friend....)
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Comment by Patti on February 16, 2009 at 6:50pm -
I did the same thing as James before me...I mistakenly posted the following comment in the discussion area rather than as a comment on Jim's blog post. Please pardon my error, I hope you find it a worthwhile "re-post"!And though I somewhat agree with James Kohn's "don't curse the darkness" perspective ... its just the whole thing just makes me so mad! There should be consequences for such blatant fat lip from her - of course cutting back is essential James - but she said do not eat out at all! And yes it's probably helping her more than the hospitality industry - but if you have noticed I cannot make myself write her name to lend her any more credibilty.... oh deep sigh....
So here's what I posted earlier in discussion:
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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Comment by James Kohn on February 11, 2009 at 9:57am -
I mistakenly posted the following comment in the discussion area rather than as a comment on Jim's blog post. Please pardon my error, I hope you find it a worthwhile "re-post"!
With all due respect, I'm going to go out on a limb and be the bad guy here. Like most issues, nobody is entirely right or entirely wrong. As the professionals who supposedly guide our industry, we would be negligent to respond to this with a finger pointing campaign rather than confronting head on the challenges of today's environment. If I take off my restaurant consultant hat, and speak as a consumer for a moment, it's easier to see the other side of this.
As money has gotten tighter and tighter in my household, dining out absolutely was the first and most obvious expense to go under the magnifying glass. When things are good we never think twice about where or how often we go out for dinner. The expense of that would routinely be well over a thousand per month. We still dine out but we do so on a budget, and we've reduced our dining out expense by over $500 per month. I don't know what the "average" family spends dining out each month, but I'm sure some of you do. My point is that it is a particularly painless way to save a significant chunk of money every month, and that you can start realizing the savings immediately (as opposed to something like a car payment that you're locked into).
Rather than ranting against Ms. Orman, who I have no particular interest in, I think we can do better by our clients by dealing head on with this new reality. Not every restaurant is going to survive this economic situation. My job is to make sure that my clients are the one's that continue to prosper. Americans are now spending less and saving more, that's a fact. This is having a severe impact on every industry, not just ours. Yes, people are dining out less frequently and spending less each time they do dine out, but finger pointing is not our most productive response. I'm reminded of a recent blog post about NYC and Hollywood fine dining restaurants that have all of a sudden started treating customers well because times are tough. We can best serve our clients and our industry by facing this challenge head on. Those who have meaningful relationships with customers, staff and purveyors and who offer good value at a fair price will prevail. Those who choose to waste their energy whining and pointing fingers are in for a tough ride. Don't "curse the darkness". - James Kohn, www.JamesKohn.com
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Comment by David Herfkens on February 11, 2009 at 3:58am - Remember, Suze Orman is not an "economist" just a person with an opinion! Take care of the guests that come into your building and make them feel that you are worthy or their businesss! Suze has a website that you can leave your comments on so don't be shy!
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