Hello and Welcome @bennyklaus , ( even if a bit late 
)
Thanks for adding to the discussion. Itâs always good to hear new voices give their point of view.
People contribute here on an individual basis so we each express opinions, and in doing so try to keep the tone of postings respectful whilst offering a different opinion.
Here is my view on the whole topic
There is no division between nominators and reviewers, they are all wayfinders. We are all volunteers. Without both tasks being done the system stops.
Doing reviewing is a great way to improve your nominations. When I started I had to be a higher level to review. And once I started reviewing I realised how bad some of my nominations were and changed my approach.
Always set out to make it easy for the reviewer present all the information and evidence - their time is just as precious too.
Whether something meets criteria is not about whether a particular word is used. The term restaurant is used in many ways around food provision - it is the wider context of that specific place that is key.
Restaurants are very much eligible as places to socialise. They can also meet eligibility criteria if they standout as a place to use.
The socialise criteria means spending time with others - sitting down eating and talking. Going to collect a carry out meal - spending minutes and leaving - is why a place like this does not meet socialise.
This leaves exploration as a possible criteria. This is where it is up to the nominator to make the case. To demonstrate why this is important and different enough to seek it out.
The award focuses on the purpose of the place and the quality of what it does - being clear about that is crucial in demonstrating its significance. Tik-Tok made by a family member is essentially an advert and not evidence of the quality of the food. So itâs not a strong element.
@gazzas89 create a better case and I may make the effort to place an order, collectmy carry out and socialise at family holiday gathering in the next few weeks. 
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I appreciate the welcome and I donât mean to start drama as my first post here, I just felt that I should say something because I think itâs a very commonly shared sentiment here, and particularly under these kinds of posts that points of interest should only be reserved for âthe only social gathering place for miles and milesâ. Which I donât think is fair since that is adding extra personal criteria, and will lead to rural areas receiving little to no PokeStops. Community importance is relative to the community itâs in and itâs not fair to make hasty generalizations. Itâs best to review giving the benefit of the doubt because of this whilst still following the eligibility criteria. For the record, I agree on it not being a place that promotes socialization.
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The point about âthe only social gathering place for miles and milesâ is that thinking this way might allow a wayspot to be accepted in a rural area (or other sparsely-wayspot-populated region), when the exact same POI in a busy area would not be eligible.
This is the exact opposite of what you seem to be thinking 
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I donât see how the mindset of âif it was the only social gathering place for miles and milesâ can be anything but exclusionary. My main point is that the statement basically excludes all small towns/suburbian areaa which is where the majority of âruralâ people live. This pokestop in this thread is clearly in a more sparsely populated area, if this is a local restaurant with community interest, then it meets the explore criterion. If it was in new york city maybe not since thereâs hundreds of restaurants, but for a place with not much in the immediate area, it is a point of interest.
This is my point - you are misunderstanding how this phrase is used
Imagine a small little restaurant that isnât anything special, say 3.5* on google, no amazing awards, no unique dishes.
It exists in a busy city centre surrounded by lots of other restaurants - it will never be accepted as a wayspot.
It exists in a small village with no other restaurants - it may well be accepted as a wayspot because it is the only social gathering place for miles and miles.
It exists in a town with half a dozen other restaurants and existing wayspots - itâs going to be a hard sell.
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Gâday mate
Seems there is some confusion on my part that is going around. Your words were âthe collective mind set of the forumâ. If what was meant only for me only. Then I apologise as in my mind I read âcollective mindset of this forumâ indicating everyone. Clearly my bad.
As for self righteous and condescending.. Ah yeah. Sounds about right 
First thing I think of being when I wake up .. Guilty as charged
As for my going to learn the system. Sure will. But I will say this as - I do to everyone - including myself. Do the hard work. Make it easy for a reviewer. If the nomination is borderline. Double down on making it easy for reviewer. There are many grey areas so I do all I can to strengthen the case for the validity of my nomination and I can ensure the reviewer/s âhave a more informed viewâ to aid in the decision making process.
So lets just agree to disagree on that one
As for bad faith. I never said that so hey that is bit of a call to go deeper into discord. However note. I only responded in an open and transparent way to the words around âcollective mindsetâ. Again I do apologise if the phrase was only targetted at me.
I have to ask though. Have you (or friends) had or are having difficulties in getting nominations through. Or are in an area of low POIs.
If yes. Share the nominations failing. See what the wide range of knowledge, across the globe from highly passionate nominators and reviewers can do to help provide a range of insights that may improve the nomination. Or help decide on next action.
And if in an area of low POIs share the place. You would be surprised at the work a range of people do here actually taking a look and seeing what else may work as potential POIs
As for desolate places to find nominations/existing POIs. Yeah you can go for 100âs of miles round where I am and not see anything. So getting it right for a rural place is important. And thus the nuances of city v rural reviewing and nominating is one I kinda get and is a lever I pull for rural areas.
I am going to bow out of this now. Good luck nominating. Good luck reviewing.