Yelp Reviewers: Cult or Community?

Today the Times takes a look at the obsessive lifestyles of Yelp nerds, making some of them famous in the process, like local secretary Nina Cheung, 30, who's been "Yelp Elite" for three years. It doesn't just happen, people. Her advice to aspiring Yelpers: "You have to be there to review, not just to hook up." All Cheung's friends are Yelpers, and, as one user puts it, "It’s kind of like a cult, except instead of Kool-Aid we drink alcohol." And Megan Cress, who says she "networks for a living," became one of the site's biggest stars by reviewing the plastic surgeon who enlarged her breasts and posting a picture of her torso in a bikini: "If your wife, mom, sister, or girlfriend are looking for a nice new rackjob or some reconstructive surgery, and they want to avoid hacks and frauds, this doctor is the real deal. He is amazing!" Thank you Yelp—for once Mom won't be getting the same old boring soap basket for Christmas.

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By John Del Signore in Food on November 5, 2008 11:32 AM

Comments [rss]

David

Read the definition of the word "cult", its tactics, how they praise members who attend local events who fall into their radical leftism and "green" lifestyle, and punish or degrade people who disagree with it, how they extort restaurants for good reviews, etc. you will come to a logical and educated and perhaps, responsible conclusion to the above question.

dwntwnpal

I laughed so hard when I saw this. At least some of the Yelpers seem to have a sense of humor. When I'm in the office bored it's pretty entertaining to read.

Citysearch, Chowhound, Menupages are all useful. Yelp just seems to add a nice touch to the mix. Definitely better than being stuck with the yellowpages that's for sure.

clarafu

I think that review sites like cnet.com, yelp.com or 5caps.com are extremely useful, use them a lot

WorksInDUMBO

Yelp is what Citysearch WISHES it was! Yelp is easy to use and extremely informative. And you can't beat the iPhone app.

cutandsewn

I love yelp. They used to pay for reviews. And it helps me find burritos.

ronin

What the hell were you expecting at a MEETUP? Everyone sulking into their own beer, not socializing and growling at their neighbor?

MissPinkKate

I went to a Yelp meetup and it was CREEPY AS HELL. It really did feel like a cult- everyone walking around smiling at each other, talking, introducing themselves! What is this, the suburbs?

JacqueMehoff

I see that nina cheung in almost every review.

are these people rich that they go out to eat everyday or something?

that's why I like midtown lunch.

ganghiscon

Agree, Yelp is a great resource.

At first, I thought these people who devote a substantial portion of their lives to achieving "elite" status seem pathetic, but then I thought how they're just wasting as much time on that online community as others do on Facebook, Myspace et al. At least they're being more productive by reviewing stores and services.

SeasTooFarToReach

yelp is awesome, me thinks.

whenever I'm curious about any establishment I just "yelp it"!

Felix Hoenikker

did someone say 'rackjob'?

moocowtoo

This post is useless without said photo!

Kojak

I agree yelp is an excellent resource that gives far more information than citysearch, and in some cases tripadvisor (depending on what info you need). Its an all in one research tool.

I'd add to it if I could, but I only have time to post snarky comments on Gothamist.