# Do these shop owners think I'm someone special? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-shop-owners-think-im-someone-special/830695 "2019-03-07T15:14:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-shop-owners-think-im-someone-special/830695/1 "2019-03-07T15:14:08Z")
This makes me chuckle to think about. About two years ago I signed up on this thing on Google. Basically, Google asked me if I want to become a regular reviewer. Each review, I score points… for _something_… I can’t remember what. Anyway, ever since then, I’ve noticed that whenever I write a review, the owner will respond with thanks for my nice review. It’s almost like they’re trying to kiss up to me. What I didn’t realize at the time of signing up, is Google gives you a title as “Local Guide”. Which is just hilarious because I have ZERO credentials as a food critic or any kind of “guide”. So anyway, all this leaves me wondering if shop owners see that title under my name and think that I’m some sort of professional. Because I don’t recall shop owners ever responding to my reviews _before_ I signed up for this Google thing. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-shop-owners-think-im-someone-special/830695/2 "2019-03-07T15:32:26Z")
I’m a level 7 local guide, and I haven’t noticed any significant response rate to my reviews. Some business owners just like to respond to reviews. The local guide badge is common enough that I don’t think it is even noticed most of the time. Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-these-shop-owners-think-im-someone-special/830695/3 "2019-03-07T15:59:47Z")
Yeah I’ve managed to be a Local Guide as well. Reviews can make a big difference to a business, that and perhaps confusion over how much power and influence a “Local Guide” has is probably why they are kissing up to you.