'Be human first, influence later': Sign at Kampong Glam Ramadan bazaar appeals to food influencers to be kind

Food influencers have begun reviewing food as Ramadan has started and numerous bazaars have popped up across Singapore.

In anticipation of the practice of reviewing the chow, the Kampong Glam Ramadan bazaar put up a sign appealing to food influencers and reviewers to be kind in their reviews.

The sign was spotted by Chef Christopher Tan, who posted it on Instagram.

The sign appealed to influencers to "be human first, influence later", reminding reviewers and influencers that the vendors are human.

In previous years, negative reviews have led to clashes between reviewers and business owners.

In 2024, TikTok user Gunbutt (@gunbuttock), who has been providing "brutally honest" reviews of food he tried at different Ramadan bazaars, received a cease-and-desist letter from one of the food stall owners.

Gunbutt previously posted a review of Frank On Wheels' Cheeszy Crab Fries with Turkey Bacon, rating it one out of 10.

This prompted the owner of Frank On Wheels to comment on the review, where he defended his product and clashed with other TikTok users.

Feedback privately

The sign acknowledged that taste is personal, but it asked reviewers to "spare the public critique" and speak to the vendors privately so they could fix their mistake.

"If you enjoyed your meal, please share your joy! Your kind words support our livelihood.

If we missed the mark, please tell us directly. Public criticism can hurt a small business, but a private word helps us grow."

However, the sign has left commenters with mixed feelings: Some praised it for its messaging, while others felt that reviews are part of the business.

Top photos via Lan Kovan/Facebook & thewayofkueah/Instagram