Haidilao has recently been the subject of criticism for labeling customers' physical characteristics. The company has stated that it has "clearly prohibited making remarks about customers' personal information" and respects the privacy of every user. In the online comments on this matter, many people have questioned whether this constitutes user profiling or precise artificial intelligence big data, and have expressed surprise at the company's actions.
From my perspective, this is simply a standard practice within Haidilao's operations, one that is also employed by other companies in the sales sector. Baidu Baike defines user profiling as follows: "User profiling, also known as user roles, is an effective tool for outlining target users, connecting user demands with design direction, and is widely used in various fields."
Therefore, companies profile and label their customers according to their own needs, with the aim of providing a superior level of service and fostering a sense of familiarity. Is this not what many people desire?
We treat all individuals as though they were our guests. If an online user feels uncomfortable with a label, it is either because the label does not align with their perception or it is so accurate that it triggers a defensive response.
In my estimation, the most significant misstep Haidilao made was allowing customers to view these comments.
The focus of today's discussion is labeling.
Indeed, the act of labeling is a fundamental aspect of human nature. Throughout our lives, we engage in self-labeling, other-labeling, and even labeling of concepts.
We establish a personal brand, which may include attributes such as hard work, intelligence, and academic achievement. This is similar to how celebrities manage their personal brands as brands.
Furthermore, we categorize others based on characteristics such as friendliness or selectivity. Additionally, we tend to be truthful with individuals but less so with the supernatural.
Naturally, if you are determined to communicate in a meaningless, incoherent manner, I have nothing but respect for you as an individual.
The final point is that we are labelled by others. This is simply a case of the wheel turning, as we label others with a clear conscience.
However, when others label us, we tend to reject it, particularly if the label is negative. This can be challenging.
For instance, if someone were to say that we are friendly, we would likely be pleased. However, if they were to say that we are picky, we would probably become upset. Interestingly, the outcome aligns with the label, which is somewhat ironic.
What are the implications of labeling?
Firstly, it is evident that we all have a penchant for labelling, and that we are unable to undertake any task without the use of labels.
To illustrate, if you wish to travel from Beijing to Shanghai, you will need to purchase a train ticket. Your ID card serves as a form of identification.
Would you be able to leave the premises without this label?
Labels play a significant role in defining our identity, particularly in relation to the three fundamental questions in philosophy: "Who am I?"
One may also utilize labels to elucidate one's identity. One's name, for instance, can be regarded as a label.
Your surname is a key identifier that determines whether you are from the Wang or Li family. This is a label that plays a significant role in defining your identity.
Your name, gender, age, date of birth, place of origin, and other identifying characteristics serve to define your personal identity.
It is often assumed that a lack of self-knowledge is due to the lack of clarity in the labels applied to us.
Since having a child, I have often reflected on the loss of my own identity and the shift in my role from wife to mother. It is interesting to consider how many people know the names of their child's classmates' parents.
I am unaware of that particular matter. When a WeChat account is added, the notes are all about who is the mother of whom.
In this context, we are discussing labels of personal identity, which are typically objective. However, there are instances where subjective labels are more prevalent, and they can potentially cause greater harm.
Secondly, the efficacy of labels is debatable. If they can be applied, they can be removed, or even simply disregarded.
The labels in question are subjective. For example, Er-Gou, who has made a fortune next door, labels us as paupers; Zhang San, who has two children, labels us as single dogs; and Wang Mazi, who has had plastic surgery to look like a celebrity, labels us as too ugly and negatively affecting the appearance of the whole village.
It is not the objective nature of the label that is the issue; rather, it is our response to it.
If we are not concerned with the opinions of others and have a clear understanding of our own identity, the labels that others place on us are inconsequential. This likely requires a certain degree of autonomy, including the ability to accept oneself, not seeking external validation, not trying to meet the expectations of others, and avoiding conflict.
In conclusion, personal growth is a crucial aspect to consider.
As the adage goes, if one lacks moral principles, one cannot be held against one's will. Similarly, if one is not concerned with labels, one cannot be compelled to adopt them.
Thirdly, it is beneficial to adopt a more positive approach to labels. I would encourage you to give yourself more of them.
As previously stated, labels are a form of self-presentation. We therefore recommend that you assign yourself a label and allow others to define it.
I have identified myself as socially anxious on numerous occasions. This allows me to avoid engaging in uncomfortable conversations and to maintain a sense of ease in situations where I am not the center of attention.
You can also label yourself with a label of self-discipline and then work hard to embody that quality. Perhaps you lacked self-discipline in the past, but when you label yourself and announce it, preferably to the world, and then work hard to demonstrate self-discipline, such as getting up at 6 a.m. every morning, running 2 km every day, reading 10 pages every day, etc., then slowly you will become more and more like the label. Eventually, you will become the person on the label.
What is your desired professional profile? What image do you want to project to your clients and customers?
You may wish to consider regarding these as your own label and working hard to achieve it.
Life is a continuous process of self-evaluation and adaptation. Whether we strive to align with our desired identity or resist the expectations of others, we are constantly labeling, removing labels, and labeling again.
The final judgment and general label will only be affixed once the dust has settled. It should be noted that this is a subjective process.
It would be prudent to refrain from attaching labels to situations and individuals.
I am a licensed psychological counselor with a multifaceted personality, encompassing both depressive and optimistic tendencies. I am passionate about the world and about you.
Comments
Labeling people based on appearance or behavior is definitely a sensitive issue, and it's good to see Haidilao addressing it. Privacy should be respected in all sectors. We can't fully stop being labeled by others but can promote awareness about the harm it causes and encourage more objective evaluations.
The practice of labeling can be very damaging, especially when it affects someone's selfesteem. To combat negative labels, we need to focus on personal growth and achievements that prove those tags wrong. Building confidence through accomplishments can help change perceptions.
It's true that everyone gets labeled in some way, whether it's by family, teachers, or employers. What matters is how we respond to these labels. We can challenge them by demonstrating our capabilities and asking for feedback that focuses on actions rather than fixed traits.
In a world where we're constantly judged, it's important to develop resilience against negative labels. By setting goals and working towards them, we can redefine ourselves on our terms and gradually shed unfavorable tags imposed by others.
We should also reflect on why we allow labels to have power over us. Working on selfacceptance and understanding can weaken the impact of external judgments. Ultimately, we decide which labels stick and which ones we cast off.