美国人已经在用一些智能手机的应用软件来对他们在各处得到的服务作出评价——从机械维修到零杂服务工到餐饮，不一而足。五星评分表示服务优秀，一星评分则可能意味着糟糕透顶。

现在，美国国务院（U.S. Department of State）正在与非常流行的在线及手机反馈平台Yelp协商，不久，人们将可以对六个护照办事处的服务作出评价——并且得到国务院工作人员的回复。

国务院领事事务局（Bureau of Consular Affairs）的全球数字接触交流顾问凯特琳·特克（Kaitlin Turck）说：“消费者熟悉如何用Yelp给服务评级打分。我们正在探讨利用这个平台来加强我们的操作，为公众提供更好的服务。” https://share.america.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Screen-Shot-2015-08-24-at-4.55.34-PM.png

采取这种做法的宗旨是要让政府对人民负责。美国公众已经在利用新技术手段，评价国家公园、机场安全以及其他联邦政府的服务工作。但是与街头咖啡店不同的是，政府此前不曾利用Yelp或其他相似的平台作出反响。争取难得的五星评级也许会为改进公民与政府之间的互动和改善政府服务发挥关键作用。

所以，你下次前往领事馆或国家公园的时候注意观察：Yelp也许是栏目上的最新内容。

Rate your food — or your government

Online reviews of the State Department? You may already have an app for that.

Americans already use a number of popular smartphone apps to rate services, from mechanics and handymen to restaurants. Five-star ratings signify an amazing experience, while one star can mean a mouse in the stew.

And now the U.S. Department of State is in talks with Yelp, a popular online and mobile review site. Soon customers of six passport agencies will be able to rate the services they receive — and receive replies from department staff.

“Consumers are familiar with using Yelp to rate services; we are looking into using this platform to strengthen our operations and provide even better service to the public,” says Kaitlin Turck, global digital engagement adviser at the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

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It’s about making government more accountable to the people. The public already uses new technology to review national parks, airport security and other U.S. government services. But unlike the cafe down the street, the government has never used Yelp or a competitor to respond, until now. The quest for the elusive five-star rating may prove a key to improving citizen interactions with government, and to improving government services.

Now, the next time you visit the consulate or a national park, take a look: Yelp may be the newest thing on the menu.