On Mother’s Day, food delivery company Zomato found itself under fire for its ‘overboard’ messages. Social media users criticized the company for pushing reminders and messages such as ‘Reminder: call maa,’ which caused discomfort for those grieving the loss of their mothers or struggling with poor relationships with parents. One user, Sowmya, who lost her mother last year, expressed her annoyance with the constant reminders and suggested that Zomato stay out of people’s personal lives. Even muting notifications didn’t provide relief, she said, as every part of the app was filled with Mother’s Day content.
Reactions from netizens were divided. Some supported Sowmya’s concerns, criticizing the commercialization of Mother’s Day and the intrusive nature of Zomato’s promotions. Others, however, defended the company’s actions, arguing that it was simply doing its job and that people who found the messages offensive could always uninstall the app.
The incident highlights the need for companies to be sensitive to the diverse experiences and emotions of their customers. While Mother’s Day is a widely celebrated occasion, it’s important for companies to recognize that not everyone has the same relationship with their mothers or may be in a celebratory mood. Respecting individual experiences and offering options for those who prefer to opt out of such messages could help prevent similar controversies in the future.
