This is sort of delicious because the New York Times Haggler columnist, David Segal, writes so … deliciously.
(Pun warning:) It’s all about the dating service It’s Just Lunch, and a bunch of disgruntled not-dating customers. Mr. Segal entitles his exposé, “Skip the Romance; She’s Going to Court,” and begins thusly:
IN our last episode, a woman unhappy with the dating service It’s Just Lunch was offered a partial refund of her $1,000 membership. The catch was that to receive the check, she had to sign a contract in which she agreed to not disparage the company, ever.
The Haggler believes that this makeshift gag order, which the customer signed, was a terrible idea. It makes the company seem heavy-handed, insecure and totally lacking in self-awareness. Like a blind date who bosses the waiter and won’t shut up.
But while this particular customer can no longer speak ill of It’s Just Lunch, many others will.
I think everybody should enjoy this piece as a Saturday dessert course, except for people who had a bad experience with It’s Just Lunch and signed a non-disparagement agreement. And didn’t sue. Or have lunch. (Except for maybe some chips.)