Amen to that, Mrs Contractor Mum! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Mums, Dads, little ones and Businesses on Nappyvalleynet. x

Perhaps we can conclude by requesting people take the same courtesy posting about each other as is being asked for independent businesses. As we approach Christmas a little peace and good will to all on NVN would be appreciated.

Blimey stressed. Chill out with your angry face...

What I would like to know is - if people want to hear about people's shoddy experiences - and have heard about them for instance on this site - what has that done to such a person sub-consciously - and if it is about a matter - whether a local business or not - have people decided that they won't ever go to that business because of some anonimous post where you have no idea what axe they have to grind. And would people consider that even if they had never been there themselevs and experienced the service first hand. OR are we all just voyuers and idle gossips ...

'The businesses can always come on here and put their case'.

I don't think you can assume that all local businesses look at Nappy Valley! I do agree with Groucho. I also think it is awful when businesses are subjected to a knee jerk reaction comment, particularly one that snowballs, whilst the business is totally oblivious. I ended up contacting a business earlier in the year, to tell them about a negative thread that had been written about them, as it seemed very unfair that they had no idea what was being said. They were very distressed about it.

"but I for one (and I'm sure that I'm in the majority) want to hear about people's experience of shoddy service and the like."

With 2000 views but only 15 posters I am not sure anyone can be sure they are in the majority.

I personally don't want to hear of shoddy experiences on here unless they have exhausted the proper channels first, it's in the public interest and it's written subjectively. The reason for this is that I would like local independent businesses to have every chance to succeed because it enriches my local community to have them around and in business.

"Please, let's not sanitise NVN so that we feel that we can only post that something "is amazing" etc."


Clearly no-one is saying that people should only write that something is amazing.

I think if posters read the sentiment of this thread it is really about people thinking before they post. It's about writing negative reviews constructively and thinking whether it's just a personal gripe or in the public interest. It's about not having knee jerk reactions which end in personally insulting local workers.

Lastly, it's about leading by example for our children's sake as far as the internet is concerned by putting the shoe on the other foot and thinking of the wider long term consequences.

People can't spend all day everyday in case someone says something about them. They don't have time. So therefore they wouldn't know it had been said and couldn't correct it. If you must post negatively make sure the people concerned are aware - not everyone is on nappy valley

Supergirl - yes it is!!!!
I had a quiche starter there and it was soooooo good I told my husband I didn't think I could eat quiche ever again as it had ruined all regular quiche! (somehow that made sense to me in my intoxicated on good food state!).

Though I did eat there over 2 years ago now. Can't wait for a special occasion to go back. Drool.

Oh i passed La Poule au Pot the other day and was wondering...

Tell me, is it as good as it looks like? Oh i m home sick now.... I def should stop talking about food!

I'm certainly not the barometer of taste. I love the kebab shop next to B At One ... the Vietnamese outside Clapham Junction ... but also love places like Yatachua and Salt yard in town ... it all depends on the mood!

Thanks for the response Clapset and I totally agree about not relying on others being arbiters of taste.

This post does bring up some good and hard questions and has made me rethink my own judgements and stance with regards to local independent businesses (I've only a literally had only one or two bad experiences over the years so that is saying something).

It is a difficult situation as it is so easy to blow off steam on a public forum (yes I'm guilty too! ) and really what I would personally like to see more of in Earlsfield is a nicer high street with great independent shops and restaurants (and more of them please!). So agree that it can be damaging to small business when it is not justified. I imagine there are only a few instances when it might be appropriate to publicly complain.

So this making me rethink things a bit... thanks ladies!

And to continue off topic I recommend for rustic and romantic French try La Poule au Pot in Pimlico! Nice for a romantic special occasions.

And to add on Groucho's post, for some local businesses here you can meet the owner at the schoolgates, playgroup, activities, etc. local business = local people, more often than not.

SFMC in regards to your comment;
"Twitter, google reviews, qype, yelp, NVN, Mumsnet, to whatever forum this is the reality of doing business today - whatever business you run."

Obviously this is true but unlike the giant high street chains our local independents do not have time or finance to hire a social media team or person who can be the PR social media manipulator.

That is the reality of running a small independent, you can't run the business and be checking twitter and facebook et al. every 5 seconds updating the businesses electronic face.



My initial question was where do we draw the line?

I think if people try to think as community and with normal human compassion when sharing positive and negative experiences of local businesses the site would be a lot more informative. Businesses aren't the enemy, they are a part of the community and should be treated as such.

If we ask ourselves the question, would I want my friends to know I have vilified this business or person publicly? If the answer is no you possibly shouldn't do it.

I know i m going slightly off road now but for the record, i went to the Gazette on the River (not far from the hrliport). We were 3 adults and 4 kids between 20 months and almost 4yrs. We had the best time.
They gave us the table where children can draw on, they talked to them and us, i had one of the best tartare ever (raw meat) and nice wine
I ve never been to the one jn Balham but i am so glad i havent takrn the criticisms to the letter (slthough we went without a buggy) and went there. Quite high on my like list of french restaurants in london (the best one being Le Boudin Blanc on Shrpherds Market... This one, it s like being at home when my mum cooks... home is calling now!!!)