Passion vs. gimmick.

In marketing, there’s a difference.

Some people use a well-known symbol or character as a means of making an immediate connection with the public. Celebrities hawking watches or clothing or whatever, typically have no known passion behind their endorsement – except money, that is. How many of us are swayed by gimmicks, like the little child who wants the Happy Meal because of the plastic toy which will keep them enthralled for three minutes?

There’s a certain restaurant nearby that is themed after the beloved Peanuts characters we all know and love. As a boy, I had several volumes of Charlie Brown comics, and I loved reading them. But this restaurant seems to have none of the passion and fun that made Peanuts great. It merely has its images, licensed from the copyright owners, whom I believe wouldn’t care what the food tasted like. It’s a gimmick.

When looking for places to eat out, I will not be enticed by images; I want to be enthralled by authenticity. I want to be impressed by a passionate owner who wants to serve food that is memorable.

Many times, in Penang, those memorable food experiences are not found hidden behind a comic book character, but behind the wrinkled hands and faces of a man or woman who has been slaving over open flames for years, serving up food that has no gimmick – simply taste. It’s the little “economy rice” stands who prepare 20 dishes daily from fresh ingredients from the open market. It’s the lady who arrives at 7a.m. to her little road-side stand to slice vegetables and meat, readying for another busy lunch hour.

Nothing fancy or flashy. No enticing marketing. Just real ingredients cooked by real people.

Passion – not gimmick!

As a writer, that’s what I hope people will say about me. That’s what I strive for. I want to write authentic stories for real people. If I haven’t succeeded yet, give me another shot. I’m still working at it.