First to Review

Is it strange that I get some kind of weird pleasure out of being the first to review something? I found myself bragging to someone the other day that I was going to this new bar that just opened up and I was going to grab the first to review. Something about being such a nerd about it makes me happy and both feeling sorry for this geeky person I’ve become. I was actually worried someone would get there before me and nab MY FTR. C’mon Lesley. get it together.

The first to review… Aaahhh yes… Trekking into virgin territory where no other Unilocaler has yet laid foot, it’s like walking first thru an untouched snowfall, being the one who will plant the flag of stars rating the place for all future Unilocalers to follow.
Will it be a 1 star and ruin the establishment, or a 5 star and cause a flood of other to rush to experience the joys and smite the tribulations of the ONE who was first, the ONE who dared to go into a business that was without any rating, a complete mystery just waiting to be unfolded.
The boldness of such a person to be first can not be taught, it is in our genetics and our DNA says that we will tread where others fear. We will become the beacon of light in the darkness. We will lead others to come or to stay far away.
We will not be detoured in our venture and will hold fast to our commitment to explore the unknown and put a new place on the Unilocal map. I will accept this challenge and have no fear anywhere I land, as my destiny lies but yet ahead, and must be discovered one business at a time.
As of today, my Unilocal app says I have 829 firsts, and I am just getting warmed up!!! Other Unilocalers unite, and follow me to the ends of the world, for I shall find and explore the unknown realms and guide you not astray.

There are few things in life that you get to be the first. Some of it is overrated. Most are forgettable. But, on a rare occasion… that first is… epic.
My firsts in life:
Kelly Pultz. I’m not sure where you are these days, but thank you. Because of your generosity and rush to get it in before Melanie Van Dyke, the legend of Jerome, tales spun way out of control by me for evil purposes, took shape in those fragile, formative years.
Crashing my mom’s car. Yes, from this, I got to keep it and thus, became the first in my crew to have a car, but becoming the designated driver soured my taste for driving. Forever.
First to have a car meant, first to get weed downtown from Mike’s cousin. This lead to a cash flow surplus and all around popularity in high school that made me a legend in the hearts and minds of all. At least, that’s what I’d like to think.
First non black/​white person in my high school class… until, that hooker Rochelle moved in junior year. There is something special about being the only one. You are the go to for all things Asian, even if it’s not your ethnic background. And if you don’t know the answer, you make it up, because American kids are fucking stupid. Lastly, everyone knows your name, so you’re the most famous person in your class, by default. Good times.
First to get arrested. Twice on foreign soil, your boy was put in the drink tank. Both times in third world countries. Both times, money talks and gets you out before you’re penetrated anally or orally. Thank you Benji Franklin.
First to review KILL IT THEN GRILL IT. Actually, I was also the first to tip and post pics. Ok, fine… I’m the only one. Still, I feel like Christopher Columbus when I’m there: racist and superior
Yup, being first is all gravy. Just don’t eat gravy too much, because that shit will kill you. And then, I’d have to grill you.

It’s sweet to be first, I won’t lie. There were a few places that I wanted to get to first, only to have another Unilocaler swoop in and take the prize. And I’ve seen it done to friends of mine in a sometimes shady way. For instance, on an opening day another Unilocaler who doesn’t even go to the business and just enters a blank review as a type of marker. Then reviews on a later visit. People, that is uncool.
The other side of the coin is that being first can open you up to conflicting reviews. So just be as factual and objective as possible, and take photos. Cause you know, a picture is worth… And always remember, the first time is special. Be it in a drunken haze, an awkward back of the car quickie, or a magical relaxing sunlit afternoon. Happy Unilocaling

Kinda like winning a badge as a Girl Scout. There’s just something really rewarding about being the first, número uno, the alpha! With a last name that starts with A I’m pretty use to it. It never gets old.
I take pride in all things new, fresh beginnings, setting trends, initiating activity and jump starting healthy dialogue via Unilocal’s FTR portal.
First To Review is like being nominated for a Grammy without the acceptance speech or paparazzo.
~Christy

My profile says I have 44 «Firsts.»
Geez that is a lot of broken hearts and people who are wondering what the hell they were thinking.

Whenever existing businesses, bridges, or landmarks don’t have any reviews, one Unilocaler would be tempted enough to change the zero rating by leaving a review quickly. A Unilocaler would even create a page just so he or she can drop a 1^st review. The review from that Unilocaler would be known as the «First To Review». Of course a stamp saying «First To Review» would be posted right on top.
Up to the submission of this review, I have over 60 FTRs. My FTRs range from highways and bridges to strip malls, from outlets to department stores, and from grocery stores to restaurants. Separate from those ranges include a dentist, a radio station, a yacht, and a unique vacation getaway. Some of these FTRs were written long before I became active in 2014.
Now you may wonder this. Of all the FTRs that I wrote up for businesses and more, were there any of them that I really wanted people to know IMMEDIATELY so they could patronize or avoid? Well, definitely NO for the avoiding, but yes for two places of patronizing. The first one was a café located in Duke Farms of Central Jersey, with my focus on those who were looking for a great place to eat without driving somewhere else to dine on something greasy.
The fact that there was a «Message This Business» link made that page quite clear that the manager was eager to receive some feedback and possible recommendations. Well, he’s got one from me. The other one was for an all-​inclusive resort in Aruba, with my focus on those who wanted to stay at a very good place without worrying about paying extra for food or liquor drinks. This was because I was eager to share my experience to the curious, and recommend others to come over for their future vacation consideration.
Sure. Getting that stamp can make someone feel happy, but is that the most important moment in life? To me, it’s cool to get that stamp, but I don’t think that’s the most important moment in life. But it seems that’s the most important for some people. As with what Phil H said in his review, people are reserving spots by writing a couple of words and then revamping them during the next day via an update. I understand that they need this for their fun and recognition, but I agree with him that it’s a «Bogus Party Foul» (Phil H, Unilocal), and as what Garland R said in his fine review, you’ve got to earn it!
Take your time when you write that review. If you get the first spot — good for you! If not, then it’s okay, because people will still read your review anyway. Whether or not I get the first spot makes no difference to me whatsoever. Write up!

Ahhhh who doesn’t love the appearance of that great big beautiful light bulb? I DO, I DO!
Not sure why it’s so gratifying to be the first to review or tip a business, but man it sure is!
It’s not that I stalk Unilocal to find these businesses but somehow I almost always come across them! I also love to find a new business and make a listing for it! I guess I consider myself somewhat of a Unilocal pioneer or something like that lol…
Either way being there first to do something almost always makes me a happy little Unilocalling =)

FTR…
Well, Unilocal is relatively unkown in Italy, therefore it is quite easy to pioneer new locations, business and be the first to tip or review…
I have quite a few of those FTR and FTT.
And everytime i get a new notch under my belt, i find myself grinning and proudly happy.
I agree with fellow Unilocalers stating that, no matter how many reviews follow your pioneering, yours is granted to be featured on the first page in the place of honor.
Not only, but it oftentimes allows fellow Unilocalers who wouldn’t necessarily follow you, to venture on to your account and surf and turf around your other reviews and find out new gems they wouldn’t necessarily even know about.
I have taken to heart to also spread the Unilocal logo in areas that have no clue what Unilocal is. Most times i am met witg skeptical looks but at times, i can snap a picture with the Unilocal logo proudly on display on the business window.
To sum it all up.
FTR rocks!!!

When I see those five gray stars, I get way too excited.
Why would I get so excited for seeing zero reviews on a Unilocal page?
I want that FTR badge, baby!
:scratches neck:
It’s like crack, «Gimme some more!»
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
Okay, time to be serious, you guise!
The reason why this badge is so important to so many Unilocalers, is exposure. If you really do care about people reading your reviews and getting use out of them, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have more people see it than everyone else’s because your FTR appears on the front of the Unilocal business page.
One of the things I like to do is when there’s no Unilocal page for a business, I create a Unilocal page and immediately pen a review. Is it selfish? Yeah, a little, but hey I’m not perfect.

It’s a feeling of accomplishment like none other!
So far I have experienced this feeling of euphoria 169 times!
It’s so choice. I highly recommend it. It’s better than —
It’s even better than sex!
Landing on the moon!
Finding hidden cash in an old winter coat!
Biting into the most perfectly crispy piece of bacon ever!
Finding out your ex looks horrible and is dating a jerk!
It’s amazingly life changing. You will feel powerful, confident, virile, and walk with swagger.
Women will want to be with you, and men will wish they were you.
My one gripe about FTR are those who do a fake one and scribble just a few words to steal the FTR, and then go back the next day to actually write one. Totally bogus party foul! Those people should be banned from ever being allowed a FTR!
Oh, that and a dollar will get you a drunken slice of bad pizza at 2am in NYC.

Racking up the First To Review, aka FTRs, is a thing for me. You can get all the compliments and Useful Funny Cool votes, but only ONE person will ever be the first one to review a business. Finding interesting businesses and then writing them up, yay!
Sure, a lot of my reviews are for strange businesses but here and there, I’m discovering places that no one has had the sense to write up.
Go, me!

Being the first to review isn’t a reason to pop the cork on the champagne but it is cool! Those in the know of FTRs know you should have a FTR list, That’s über cool.
Most of my FTRs are a result of adding a new page and photos but I’m only FTR of half of my newly added pages. Got it? Seems like I’m always behind on my reviews so by the time I get around to reviewing the page I added someone has already been the FTR. That’s all good. It’s all about getting the Unilocal fun started for the business.
Props to Yeep Amy S. in the wonderful city of Jax for turning me on to this FTR page.

I actually manage to get a lot of First to Reviews and it always puts a smile on my face. =)
I got a lot of FTRs for Disney because I’m the one who added the majority of the businesses on Disney Property way back in 2010. I wanted to address that because I get asked a lot by people how I managed to get so many Disney FTRs. Well, there ya go. :D
We also travel a good bit to Mississippi and there’s not a whole lot of Unilocaling going on there yet, so I get a lot of FTRs there.
I still pick FTRs up here in Jacksonville on occasion, but not nearly as often as I use to… but that’s a good thing. it means our Unilocal Jax Community is growing by leaps and bounds and I couldn’t be happier about that!

This comment of FIRST TO REVIEW! Ha ha, I do notice many the comments I do for different American Heart/​Stroke Association locations, different Salvation Army Corps, it has me as FIRST TO REVIEW! What confuses me, Morgans Central Valley Bistro, the excellent hotel in Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel in town Sacra, California! It says I am first to review, yay for that! So why also a listing, same exact address, under a Morgans Restaurant, near Sacra? Is amazing I can review any Salvation Army Corp, any Food Bank on this area!

Being the First to Review is not like winning the Nobel Peace Prize, but Unilocalers tend to appreciate the initiative significantly. When we search for something, we want results. Taking the first step, especially at a rural place, will make things much kinder to travelers. Let’s envision a world where all of us want to be the First to Review at certain places.
Step up your game. Be the First to Review a gas station in an Arctic small town. Be the first to review a bench that Elvis sat at in Nashville.
With you being the First to Review, others might follow your lead.

Yes it’s cool if you can be first to review. I try to do that, but unless it’s a new buisness. The fight is on and on lol.
Nothing like being first right? Everyone else gets the sloppy seconds. When you’re first, it’s like yeah I’m the Man/​Woman. It’s always going to be yours. I can go around and do this and that. Then come back to our guaranteed stuff. Because we were there first.
Sincerely VD

GIFs are like cookies. Useless, but tasty!
You want them? Unilocal everything!