Talk:Greasy spoon

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I think we should consider deleting this entry on basis of WINAD. --200.165.239.250

Oh, no! Greasy spoons are a fantastic anti-cultural institution, and I am sure that the broad experience of Wikipedians will serve this topic well beyond the mere dictionary stage. Eclecticology, Sunday, July 7, 2002

As the primary progenitor of this article, I had some concerns of the WINAD type. So I explicitly constructed a 'pedia type article, framing a cultural context for the topic, something which is explicitly not found within a dictionary definition (which merely explains what something is). The sociology and culture of greasy spoons is definitely a topic within its own right. sjc

I vote we keep it. I agree with sjc that this article goes into the culture surrounding them. They also get a mention in "Broadway Baby" from Stephen Sondheim's Follies, btw. Most of all, we should keep it because it's hilarious and well-written. -- Tarquin, Tuesday, July 9, 2002

Except the article at present is mistaken in believing greasy spoons is a British phenomenon. The eponymous "Broadway Baby" mentioned above was dining in New York, not the British Isles. - Nunh-huh 23:36, 14 Oct 2004 (UTC)

absolutely, this is a corker of an entry. the humour in the way it's written perfectly captures the cultural meleui. look forward to seeing it built on. radio-july12.02

200.165.239.250 what are you're trying to do here? On July 7 at 17:07 you asked your question here (nothing wrong there). Eclecticology jumps in support for keeping the article at 17:51, then you go ahead and delete most of it anyway at 18:24 without an explanation (even in the edit summary field). Then after the article was restored by me and several others chimed in support of keeping the article as is, you again delete most of it. Please don't do this in the future -- many might find it to be rude. --maveric149

This is one of my fave pages in the wole ´pede - I use it to promote the site to my chums - please keep it! sstrong

This article needs more about the impact of the greasy spoon on American culture. It is not a strictly British phenomenon nor is it restricted to certain regions of America; it's coast-to-coast.

Whilst it is true that these are popular in Britain and America, it should be noted that they are commmon in many countries, particularly holiday resorts where English/Americans are the bulk of tourists. Parts of Spain and Greece are excellent examples, where a full english' for a euro', can be found. Helzagood 14:56, 2 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] NPOV

I feel that is it obvious that this page does not conform to the NPOV policy. Some sections have undeniably been written by users who feel that they are "above" these types of working class establishments. I'm not here to argue that point, however - just to point out the NPOV issue. An example might include the joke about the "day old copy of The Sun".

The joke about the "day old copy of the The Sun" seems to have been edited to say "The Sun" now. More importantly, that portion was placed under the "stereotypes" section. If the only material that might violate NPOV is under this section, I believe the article is fine as it currently stands. --69.59.104.141 22:39, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

Perhaps the section stating "A common feature of the UK greasy spoon is a large menu board, which, on casual inspection, would seem to suggest that the proprietor has devised a separate meal and associated price for every conceivable combination of the basic items listed above" seems a bit tongue-in-cheek, but the rest of the article is acceptable, perhaps written in a slightly lax style. A cleanup might be needed?

Poor quality food might be a stereotype, but it's not actually true! I can think of some cracking greasy spoons: good artery-clogging stuff, certainly, but as fine a meal as I've had in any posh restaurant (to which I'm also partial). Around 1999, when we'd published some successful food books, we were approached by someone wanting to write a guide to fab greasy spoons. So I'm not the only one who thinks this. JackyR 16:51, 28 April 2006 (UTC)

As the author of the "A common feature of the UK greasy spoon is a large menu board..." section I accept that it is (slightly) tongue in cheek, but would maintain that it is also a legitimate aspect of UK greasy spoons. As Tyrenius says below this is a subject which perhaps has some room for mild light-heartedness as opposed to, say, the articles on the First World War or Small Pox. However, if the consensus is that the tone be smoothed out then fair enough, I shan't object. The "day old copy of the Sun" remark is still present but with regard to greasy spoons found in Spanish holiday resorts where English papers would inevitably be out of date. Arthur Holland 12:44, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

This appears to be a case of those who dispute the neutrality of the POV being "above the subject matter" rather than the editors who have created and worked on the article. The article is light in tone, to be sure, but there is no serious tone that can describe a Greasy Spoon. It is a term in common parlance, deserves its place here, and is pitched in an excellent and encyclopaedic manner.

So who will be bold and remove the NPOV debate marker?

Fiddle Faddle 06:56, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

Looking at the history page it seems that the editor who hit the article with NPOV concerns may just have done this as a random "drive by NPOV" since they have no wikipedia ID. Now, while I know that is an unfair judgement call, I feel the NPOV thing is being taken rather too seriously. If anyone feels strongly about reinstating it and discussing it, then go for it. But, IMNSHO (irony intended), the article should stay as it is, always improved by future editors and in its current form. So I am taking the POV check and NPOV items from the article. Far better to improve it than to discuss it. Fiddle Faddle 07:24, 15 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 3rd party observation

For what it's worth, I noticed this on the NPOV Category page and have just dropped in. I think it's a great subject and a great article. Furthermore, although it is a sociological phenomenon which has serious aspects, I feel there is room for some light-heartedness as in "a separate meal and associated price for every conceivable combination". It is a noted characteristic of the places, as are the dog-eared papers (though usually the current day's), at least in the UK. This sort of thing could be put in a separate section, labelled even as "A light-hearted interpretation". I don't see it as patronising, as I've been in these places a lot, often with my builders, who are typical target clientel, and this is the way they talk about it. They've got a sense of humour. The people who work in these places are often good for a laugh. I think that should be reflected somewhere in the article. Tyrenius 02:44, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Where are these greasy spoons serving rhubarb crumble??!

The section entitled "Fare", under "Greasy Spoons, UK", states that "British greasy spoons will often also offer bread and butter pudding, apple crumble and rhubarb crumble.". "Often" seems to be an overexageration; I'm sure there are some greasy spoons that serve such desserts, but I've certainly never seen one (and I've frequented quite a few in my time). I did see apple pie in one, once, but I hardly think that constitutes "often"! I am going to change this to "sometimes" as that seems more accurate. I think someone going into a caff expecting a range of traditional british puddings will be sorely disappointed in most cases! If other people feel otherwise you can always change it back. Missdipsy 12:05, 4 October 2006 (UTC)