I’m likely more sympathetic to your argument than most here (though not more sympathetic than society generally), but the end BTW link puzzled me.
The link is to an analysis of a restaurant menu analyzed by a book writer who appears unaffiliated with the restaurant; I don’t think the restaurant is making no bones about tricking people.
Further, I don’t think they’re tricking people. I’ve been tricked by restaurant menus, so I’m not someone who says that can’t happen.
But the menu in the link is attempting to sell food for money. They are, no doubt, trying to maximize profit. But there’s no dishonesty, just marketing. If we’re going to end up regulating this type of marketing, it seems to me that will end badly. “Trickery,” to me, is an unwelcome surprise. Trickery’s not pictures of food and menu presentation strategy. Or have I missed something substantial?
You’re right that I made it sound like it was the restaraunt itself admitting the trickery, which it wasn’t. My mistake. And I certainly am not suggesting that the government should regulate the placement of prices on menus. I linked that article simply as a nice illustration of the fact that sellers are always and forever manipulating buyers, rather than simply informing them. Even something as straightforward as a menu is seen not simply as an opportunity to let patrons know what is available and at what price, but to push their buttons.
I’m likely more sympathetic to your argument than most here (though not more sympathetic than society generally), but the end BTW link puzzled me.
The link is to an analysis of a restaurant menu analyzed by a book writer who appears unaffiliated with the restaurant; I don’t think the restaurant is making no bones about tricking people.
Further, I don’t think they’re tricking people. I’ve been tricked by restaurant menus, so I’m not someone who says that can’t happen.
But the menu in the link is attempting to sell food for money. They are, no doubt, trying to maximize profit. But there’s no dishonesty, just marketing. If we’re going to end up regulating this type of marketing, it seems to me that will end badly. “Trickery,” to me, is an unwelcome surprise. Trickery’s not pictures of food and menu presentation strategy. Or have I missed something substantial?
You’re right that I made it sound like it was the restaraunt itself admitting the trickery, which it wasn’t. My mistake. And I certainly am not suggesting that the government should regulate the placement of prices on menus. I linked that article simply as a nice illustration of the fact that sellers are always and forever manipulating buyers, rather than simply informing them. Even something as straightforward as a menu is seen not simply as an opportunity to let patrons know what is available and at what price, but to push their buttons.