So I was supposed to have a Last Entry Tea this Saturday, but the owner called me and they’re having some issues with their tea supplier (cuz of the tariffs)…so I didn’t think it would be fair to visit them when they weren’t fully ready. He was really kind + accommodating about it too. I figured since it’s been a while (because we’ve had back-to-back Teas to write about), that I would hit you with an About The Author post. I’ve been flirting with this idea…and now’s as good a time as any.

When people find out about what I do, I’m almost always asked the question: Do you ever get any pushback when you write a negative post?

I’m not like a family vlogger or anything…saying that I am only gonna post happy stuff to keep the mood light around here. Afterall, I AM known as the “brutally honest” Tea Room Reviewer and I’ve always given yall the real deal Holyfield. So this post won’t be far off from anything I’ve written before. Just maybe some BTS stuff I’ve never chosen to include in my posts…but might have brought up if asked in-person.

Here’s some anecdotes for ya…

After only our 2nd visit, I wrote something about being overwhelmed that their WHOLE tea service was on ONE plate. Yes: the scone + fixings, 4 tea sandwiches, 2 savories, and sweets = one plate! A few days later, I got a furious message on facebook of all places from the owner of that Spot. Seems he searched for my name + account, just to write this message. He was upset that I had said that they put everything on one plate. But they did!! And I didn’t say anything incorrect! I changed my name on my website and facebook account after that…and I’m no longer on fb anyway.

Truth is, one of the hardest parts about doing this is meeting an owner after I’ve had mediocre tea. Especially…especially, especially…if they are perfectly nice. If I know I just had bad tea and now I gotta write about it, I honestly wanna just drop my card on the table and haul booty outta there. But sometimes, sometimes- the owners get excited to see my card and come out and wanna meet me. Which I really don’t mind meeting them, not at all. It’s not about that. I appreciate meeting new people and hearing their stories. And I’m not afraid to write about my truth, either. Not at all. What’s tough is when they are wonderful people- I don’t want that creating a bias toward my write-up.

I had just written a Thread about how I would say I “could be” only one comment away from someone not liking how I said something and all of the world wide web bandwagoning and me being cancelled. My son quickly humbled me and said I would have to be “popular” first, in order for enough people to know me and cancel me. (HAHAHA.) But in the 10+ years that I had been doing this, someone did finally decide to add their 2-cents on one of my TikTok voiceovers just recently. So, I say ‘slammin’ a lot. I’ve been using that word since 2001! And in one of my TikTok posts, I had called a hotel’s tea sandwiches: slammin. Someone got on there and TRIED to insult my class, saying that I didn’t belong at this specific hotel if I am labeling something of theirs ‘slammin’. I could’ve commented my thoughts on them starting their own website and writing their own review back…but I just deleted and blocked them. Things like that don’t bother me enough to be affected by it. I don’t have time for nonsense.

Something that does annoy me sometimes is the behavior and politics of social media. Particularly, from some social media managers from certain Spots. (ooh, now it’s getting juicy huh!?) I’m not messy, so I won’t say who. But if they’re reading my blog posts, I hope this helps them think about how weird they’re being and treat other people that help them- kinder. I’ve said this before and I will continue to say “I am not an Influencer or a Content Creator.” Have I done collabs where Tea Spots in a sense hire me to write about + promote their tea service in exchange for a compensated meal? Yes. Have I filled out Influencer Agreements? Yes. (Also: Is the first thing I bring up in our agreement that I will be writing an HONEST review? Yes.) But I am and always will be a Writer first and foremost. Look, we are not owed any sort of gratitude or public commendation or anything. But THEY know and I know the amount of business I have brought them. Not bragging, just facts. A simple ‘Thank You’ goes a long way, right? But I have had certain Spots follow me on social media, DM back and forth (friendly + business), accept collaborated posts, HIRE me, and…unfollow me!!?! HAHAHA, like whyyy? That’s mad weird brooo, haha. What are you doing?! There are also plenty of times where I’ve posted Spots (on my own free will) and brought them business. I’ll message them that a post has blown up or that I’m sending tons of people their way (who have been DMing me inquiring about them) (not for any recognition but again just to be friendly), only for them to respond “That’s great to hear” and tell me that they’re getting lots of new reservations. No ‘thank you’, no nothing. It’s rude. Don’t get me wrong tho. There are WAAAY MORE Tea Spots and Owners or Social Media Managers that are grateful and kind, than there are who are not. Just giving you some tea…of a different kind! (wink)

Anyywhooo, this post wasn’t meant to be written in a complaining spirit. Just wanted to give you some very real behind-the-scenes tales for your entertainment! Hope this holds you over until our next review…thanks for reading!

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