Bloggers invited to go to Applebee's to meet "REAL" Americans

Bloggers invited to meet 'real Americans' at Applebees

When I saw this on Gawker, I didn’t know whether to laugh or just be sad for Applebee’s and for Tyler Florence, since he has been degraded (by his own laziness, arrogance, and perhaps alcoholism) to shilling for them.

According to Gawker, the folks at Rubenstein PR have invited bloggers to eat for free at Applebee’s Times Square where they can meet and interact with “real Americans” and ask them about politics. Ahem.

There are problems with this on so many levels—-what is the insinuation here, that “real Americans” are the tourists dumb enough to come to a mecca of great food and somehow end up at Applebee’s which they have next to their strip mall at home?

Side note: according to the book Applebee’s America, which is a great read for a marketer or entrepreneur, their Times Square joint is the #1 grossing location for them in the country. Which means the inability for Middle Americans to stray away from the chain is true. Either that or foreign tourists really believe that Applebee’s is indicative of American cuisine. Either way, ewe.

Their invitation via Gawker:

Subject: Blogging from Applebee’s

Hi Ben -

I hope you are well. I wanted to see if you would have any interest in setting up camp this week or in the next few weeks at Applebee’s in Times Square so you can interview “true Americans” about the election, candidates, etc. We would obviously set up an area for you and provide food throughout the week. We thought this would give you great insight into what Americans think for your blog, etc.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!