Mouthing Off | Why I loathe lists, especially ‘best restaurants’ lists, that forever tease readers with empty promises
- The so-called listicle draws us in with its tempting headline, but read it and often it tells us things we already know. Moses has a lot to answer for
- Food writers are some of the biggest listicle creators, says food writer Andrew Sun, who admits to having created a few lists in his time
As a so-called writer, I’ve come to loathe one aspect of my profession that has thrived with the digital age: listicles.
This portmanteau comprises an article made from a list. If you’re anywhere online, they appear, teasing you with random but curious headlines – “10 things you didn’t know about Keanu Reeves”, “Eight undervalued stocks to buy now”, and “Look 21 again in seven easy steps”.
Of course, lists have always been around. Moses predated the listverse when he came down Mount Sinai with two tablets featuring “10 things thou shalt not do”.
Examples of this form of content seem especially prevalent now, and in food writing. Every month there are new and disappointingly uninspired features about “best new restaurants”, “hottest cocktails and where to find them”, and “dishes you have to try now”.
Like everyone, I get curious and fall for the clickbait. I tapped a link recently that promised to reveal the best uniquely Hong Kong dishes. But there wasn’t anything new. In fact, anyone born in the city would already be familiar with the dim sum places, wonton shops and cart noodle outlets the writer seems to have just discovered.
