On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 12:06 AM, Indrajit Gupta <[email protected]>wrote:
That's why I think you were being unfair, because the general theme of these > was information for the person planning an evening out, not a belles lettres > piece a la NYT. > Yes. I think reviews are of two types, one where the reviewed play/movie/restaurant is in the foreground, and the other....where the reviewer is. We get to know a lot about the reviewer's knowledge and experience and hir superiority as a reviewer....so often, this view comes across as patronizing and condescending. I don't like such reviews and tend not to take their recommendations. When I feel that the Emperor isn't wearing any clothes, and the reviewer talks about the superfine material... I also think that reading many reviews would give one a more balanced idea than reading one review on its own. Speaking of patronizing and condescending... we are having a discussion on the difference in meaning between those two words, that are often used interchangeably... what do you think is the difference? Even the definition of each word uses the other: con·de·scend·ing [image: condescending pronunciation]<http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/C07/C0733100> /ˌkɒndəˈsɛndɪŋ/ <http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html> Show Spelled[ kon-duh-sen-ding] <http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html> Show IPA –adjective showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority: They resented the older neighbors' condescending cordiality. pa·tron·ize (ptr-nz, ptr-) *tr.v.* *pa·tron·ized*, *pa·tron·iz·ing*, *pa·tron·iz·es* *1. * To act as a patron to; support or sponsor. *2. * To go to as a customer, especially on a regular basis. *3. * To treat in a condescending manner. Deepa.
