Panda Express

I somewhat like the food at Panda Express and have noticed shopping opportunities at same. But I have always balked at taking a picture of my plate before chowing down. My questions is how difficult it is to take a clandestine photograph without being outed?

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At Panda, very easy. I have done it a number of times, the staff pays no attention once you are through the line and seated. I do try to get to the side or far away from the counter, and I position myself so my back is to them.

Yea, sure, but you aren't a three legged midget like me.

Indeed I have found the staff pays no attention. I take flash or non flash with no problems. Often folks are in there taking pictures with their cell phones and to the best of my knowledge I'm the only shopper present

In mine there is a nice little nook around the corner from the line that I usually select and my photos are quick between putting the tray on the table with my back to the line and sliding into the seat facing the line.

The tough ones for me are the sit down restaurants where there are lots of servers wandering around who have a direct view of everything happening at the tables so they can make sure they arrive promptly to refill a beverage that is only 1/3 empty.

ShopUntilYouDrop Wrote:
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> I somewhat like the food at Panda Express and have
> noticed shopping opportunities at same. But I have
> always balked at taking a picture of my plate
> before chowing down. My questions is how difficult
> it is to take a clandestine photograph without
> being outed?

Actually taking a picture of your plate of is more common then you might think. People who are "foodies" like members of roadfood.com or chowhound.com take pictures of their food all the time and post them on those sites. If some employee had the nerve (they won't) to approach you just say your putting the picture on your facebook page. IMO it's easier then taking pictures of things like gas pumps.

At a recent restaurant shop there were picture taking customers at the table next to mine. I was the shopper, with no picture requirements. I'm sure they had a reason. Maybe they just wanted a pic of a $$ filet

They weren't questioned, and no one looked sideways at them. A shopper needs to mimic that behavior!

I had the same experience last week.

I was shopping a restaurant that DID require photos and coaching my guest on how to take discreet pics of the entree, when our neighbors start taking full flash photos of their meal!!

I guess it's becoming a 'normal' thing to do.

For a long time my daughter enjoyed taking pictures of her food at restaurants if they were presented nicely or she enjoyed that food before. It was never odd and nobody ever questioned her. So now, when I need to take a picture, I don't give it a second thought.

Ahhhhh! The weirdness of the world makes shoppers appear both sane and mainstream :-)

Flash Wrote:
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> Ahhhhh! The weirdness of the world makes shoppers
> appear both sane and mainstream :-)

Before I ever thought about mystery shopping I would take pictures of my food and post them on roadfood.com. Years ago I was eating at a small local BBQ place and took pictures of my rib platter, they were thrilled when I told them I would be posting those pictures on the Internet. Now I have read there are certain places that have a "no pictures" policy though if you don't use the flash and disturb other diners I can't imagine why.

It seems that all of the local neigborhood news bloggers in my area are foodies; nearly all publish pictures of their plates whenever they eat out!

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I feel odd taking a photo of my food, but last summer my cousin's grandaughter stayed with me while finishing college. She had a date at a fancy restaurant and brings back photo's of her meal taken with her phone camera....I was dumbfounded, and thought it odd, but today with the phone camera, I guess pic's are taken of just about everything. Still for me, not comfortable.

Live consciously....

We could 'practice' taking pictures, both covert and overt, when we aren't wearing our shopper hats. Have a plausible explanation just in case of questioning by management of a gas station, coffee shop, grocery store or eatery. Then, when picture taking really counts, we're groovin.

It would be humorous if I was noticed taking food pictures and assumed to be a food critic. Even worse if they offered to comp my food.

I'm sure as soon as I pulled out my camera, someone I knew from the past would be lurking, and I'd die a million deaths, the food is so pretty (right). I take pic's of people, never food...guess I'd better change my ways.

Live consciously....

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