Better Not To Know
She wouldn’t clarify why she wouldn’t serve him, either. He did not join the queue for 45-minutes to be handled like this. And so he was undoubtedly not used to people refusing to obey his guidance or having to look at him like this – no one should ever be! She didn’t seem to have any clue as to who he really was or what power he had at his fingertips; it was totally obvious indeed. So he just can’t wait to see her face when she finds out.
Better Not To Know
A Much Needed Day Off
For Alexandria, the VA man, Karl Baker, it was a day off that had been deemed necessary. After working several 12-hour shifts, he was quite fully prepared to relax and unwind. He’d already arranged his day out. He was about to sleep in, eat out, explore the city, and wrap up the day lounging in front of the TV with just a drink in his hand. But circumstances are not about to go as anticipated.
A Much Needed Day Off
Lunch Time
Baker woke up to his dog hopping on his bed, the sun was shining on his face, and it was already lunchtime. He got ready, started pouring himself a cup of coffee, and thought about where he might go to have a good brunch. Decided, he jumped in his car and began to head for a restaurant he hadn’t previously been to on the outskirts of town. That was a choice he would have dreaded afterward.
Lunch Time
Joining The Line
They began to look upon him with absolute disdain. It had been a long time since Baker had been confronted with some utter disregard. His chosen profession normally managed to keep him from being so badly treated, but no one here knew who he really was. Baker walked in and decided to join the line at the restaurant. His hunger began to grow as he looked at the menu on the wall, just like the time he had been waiting in line.
Joining The Line
Bad Choice
His selection has long been limited to two meals. In several aspects, Baker was wonderful, although, in one way, he had always been renowned for just being a picky eater. He was selective, to say the least, so when he decided on a dinner, he had great expectations that his research would actually pay off. He was convinced that it would be good enough to wait in line to justify the 45-minute wait. He was entirely wrong.
Bad Choice
Waiting For A Long Time
Even if it was an unusually long time waiting to make a purchase, Baker was indeed a patient individual. This statement about that characteristic was driven far beyond the boundary, however, and pretty soon. By the time Baker actually arrived behind the till, he was starving and eager to buy. What next occurred, however, would have sent his head spinning.
Waiting For A Long Time
Not A Good Day
Baker respectfully welcomed the cashier, who welcomed him back with an appearance strongly resembling frustration and perhaps irritation. She had been munching gum and obviously looked as if she was not having a decent day. Even so, he insisted on smiling while ordering his meals. He understood that life was not always rainbows and apple drops because Baker absolutely loved making people smile when he could. It was definitely not for this employee, however.
Not A Good Day
Not Available
Baker ordered and then was shocked to hear her tell her that his initial order was impossible to produce. He was unhappy, but there were still some other choices available. He switched to his second option, which was not available once again. Befuddled, he glanced at the list and asked the restaurant for the only other meal he desired. She began to roll her eyes and repeated her previous reply.
Not Available
Poor Attitude
Now it irritated Baker. He was actually only spending so much time queueing up for food highlighted in chalk under today’s special offers. If he had known that these meals were not available, he would not have stood in line. And the situation was not helped by her implacably poor attitude. He also hindered his dissatisfaction and began to ask if there was anything that was not outlined on the list.
Poor Attitude
You Need To Leave
Once again, she began to roll her eyes and began to look at him disapprovingly, as if to claim, telepathically, that maybe the question he was asking was stupid. Now, alongside their misleading advertising, her conduct was just too much. He had plenty to say. However, it was as if she were reading his thoughts before he could even open his mouth. The woman said, “Listen, mister, if you’re not going to order, you need to leave.”
You Need To Leave
Making A Scene
“That’s It!” Baker thought. He stayed in his place, and nonchalantly said, “Can I speak to your manager?” Without a word, she walks sideways and screams at the back of the kitchen. She returns her empty stare at Baker, and then a lady comes out in response to her call. She starts looking at Baker, and then at the queue behind him, “What’s the problem here, sir, you’re holding up the people behind you.”
Making A Scene
The Manager
Baker saw where the worker’s behavior came from. He understands this is not really going to be enjoyable and interesting. He ignored the demeaning accusation that he is the reason for such ridiculous lines and tried to explain to her what had actually happened and how management must fix the issue he observes in her establishment. Her remark was unexpected.
The Manager
They Laughed Instead
After that, a female cook happened to come to the register to notify the manager, pointing to Baker, “You better pull me off the line because I’m not serving him,” He decided to wait for the manager to take action, but she began laughing. Baker managed to keep his cool and informed them respectfully to manage their customers better, or there would indeed be consequences.
They Laughed Instead
Men Like Him
As Baker expected, she didn’t want to listen to his recommendation. The woman scoffed, “I understand that things didn’t go your way today, sir, but that’s life. Now, if you could kindly remove yourself from my establishment. I don’t serve men like you.” In shock, Baker replied, “Men like me?!”. What did she mean by “men like him”?
Men Like Him
Enough Is Enough
Baker has had enough. He was not playing Mr. Nice Guy anymore. In conversing with her, attempting to speak with greater authority, he reaffirmed his goal and assured her that he was saying things for her own benefit. Now, he asked her to clarify what she implied by “men like him.” But what she’s doing next in his thinking will end up resolving any doubts about retaliation.
Enough Is Enough
Don’t Look Down On Me
She seemed to be both cold-faced and arrogant. The woman said, “I don’t need to explain what I meant to anyone. Get on out now before you cause a scene.” He was not used to people who refused to obey this sort of order. And he was certainly not accustomed to others looking down on him.
Don’t Look Down On Me
Without His Uniform
She didn’t seem to have any clue as to who he really was or even what power he had at his fingertips; it was entirely obvious. He often figured strolling around without his uniform was a great way to see what people were really like. And it succeeded in proving this. It really was pretty obvious to Baker that she wasn’t going to talk to him like an older adult. He felt totally mistreated and mocked as bystanders started taking notice.
Without His Uniform
The Audacity
He started looking around at a few of the ears and eyes that paid him interest. As he came to realize, almost everyone was staring at him in the restaurant, his face turning red. He did not even recognize anybody there, but he began to wonder if some of the customers had identified him. They certainly wouldn’t even assume that a restaurant would have the audacity to address him like this if they did.
The Audacity
Won’t Let It Go Unpunished
Without anything more to discuss, Baker decided to leave the restaurant. He was disappointed, angry, and embarrassed by their behavior, behavior that he could not just let go unpunished. He would overlook the disturbing beginning of his day in the uniform that indicates addressing and beginning serving everyone with respect and coming back to terms with this terrible experience tomorrow during normal working hours. How are they then going to respond?
Won’t Let It Go Unpunished
Man In Uniform
The next day, Baker throws on the attire of his police chief and goes back to work. He had so many things to work on. He was worried, but he had promised himself to call the restaurant and reveal his real face. He just can’t sit tight and see them trembling in their boots.
Man In Uniform
With His Uniform On
Baker decided to stop at the restaurant on his way back from some sort of call-out in the area. He pulled his cruiser up and pushed through the doorways, lucky to find the parking lot. His face appeared strict. The entire restaurant was loaded with the aura of his appearance. Baker was indeed a large, big guy, and with his uniform on, he seemed to embody power.
With His Uniform On
All Smiles
They were all looking at him now for all the best reasons. He was approached with a smiling face and with honor. Even the expressions of all the staff and the person at the checkout, who is now somewhat more attentive, suddenly lightened up. She greeted him with a smiling face that began to fade once she had identified him gradually. Disregarding formalities, he looked for the manager.
All Smiles
Where’s The Manager?
The cashier appealed to the manager tentatively. That being said, at this moment, she began to walk to the back kitchen door and screamed. Now she seemed to be mindful of her manners, it seemed. Baker stood with one hand resting on his waist belt and the other carrying a radio device. For obvious reasons, he played the part. Especially as his radio call bleeped with officer notifications, he waited for her to see her show up.
Where’s The Manager?
It Went Viral
At the moment, though, a different manager was working. However, she was quite upset by what Baker tried to tell her and immediately apologized. She also pledged to publish an internal review of her co-actions. Worker’s After bystanders who had been there reporting about the officer’s mismanagement, the story managed to reach social networking sites briefly. The restaurant now had to come out with a declaration.
It Went Viral
They Did Not Deny
When questioned more about the officer’s disturbing treatment, a restaurant representative didn’t attempt to deny the allegations. She told the media that everything had actually happened, as Baker had described. The restaurant was shocked that a law enforcement officer had been shown disrespectful and agreed to look more into the problem. But would it really be adequate?
They Did Not Deny
Discrimination
“I don’t know why the offended officer doesn’t sue for $150,000. This is NO DIFFERENT than the Oregon bakery’s refusing to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Discrimination is discrimination!” one enraged reader decided to write, whereas another took a more rational view. “We are working with the appropriate authorities and local police association representatives to get to the bottom of and resolve this matter as quickly as possible,” added in a statement.
Discrimination
Trying To Save Face
“We have made efforts to reach out to the police officer involved but have not yet spoken with him. We will continue to look into the situation and will take the appropriate actions after this review.” The story quickly started making rounds on Twitter and Facebook, even after the urge of the establishment to save face, to the uproar of thousands of users.
Trying To Save Face
Outraged Responses
“I don’t know why the offended officer doesn’t sue for $150,000. This is awful behavior that can easily be considered a breach of customer rights,” one enraged reader stated, while yet another took a more principled perception. “If I were a cop, I’d be way less concerned about these people who are openly anti-police than I would about what someone quietly harboring resentment and handling my food.”
Outraged Responses
Good Relationship
Although the restaurant was applauded by Representative Pete Feltham of the Alexandria Police Union for its coordination and quick apology, the damage was already done when the restaurant rushed outside the restaurant to place banners attempting to support law enforcement officers. He believed that Baker “handled the situation perfectly” — instead of intensifying the clash, he disconnected. However, he said he was shocked that an event like this took place in Alexandria because the police force usually has a fantastic relationship with citizens and local businesses.
Good Relationship
No Turning Back
However, none of the statements made by Feltham did anything to soothe the outrage of the public. Thousands of comments were left on the restaurant’s Facebook page, grumpily notifying them that they were beginning to be boycotted completely and encouraging other customers to do so as well. There was even debate on social media among individuals about stealing from the restaurant after the incident. Baker decided, nevertheless, to make his stance on this simple.
No Turning Back
Two Wrongs Do Not Make A Right
He said that he is not really in favor of ‘cancel culture’ due to this, and neither does he want to see criminal activity arise in the restaurant. He also discourages anyone from trying to stop supporting the establishment. ” Take an elevated road!” Said he. “The actions of a few do not equate to the actions of many.” Two wrongs, after therefore do not make a right.
Two Wrongs Do Not Make A Right
The Backlash
In responding to the huge amount of criticism, the restaurant focused its efforts on its promise. As per The Washington Post, just under a week afterward, they made an official statement. The source stated, “In a statement, the company said that ‘the views and actions of these individuals’ were ‘inexcusable’ and did not reflect those of the company or the rest of the staff at the Duke Street location,”
The Backlash
Resulted To Dismissal
The establishment started in the follow-up remark, “We have concluded the two team members in question acted inappropriately, and we immediately terminated their employment. We have the utmost respect for law enforcement officials and value the relationship we have built with the local Alexandria Police Department over the years.”
Resulted To Dismissal
Going Out Of Their Way
The night manager and the restaurant tracked Baker to apologize for three staff members’ horrific behavior and attitude and to fully plan to go out of their way to make it clear to anyone and everyone that they support law enforcement. The circumstance even caught the attention of the Mayor of Alexandria, Allison Silberberg. She said she appreciated the “full-throated apology of the company for this unfortunate situation.” But how would this issue be felt by other members of law enforcement?
Going Out Of Their Way
What Did The Others Say?
The head of police responded to the station by saying, “Well, your first response as a police officer is anger.” He continued, “These are very difficult times right now with our relations with everyone, and to have one of my officers treated in that manner unnecessarily – your first response is anger, then you calm down a bit.” When she saw a similar incident taking shape, a waitress decided to step in.
What Did The Others Say?
“Suck It Up”
Britanny can feel the anger that is forming inside her. She just can’t believe that a rude person like that exists. She didn’t ask for it. All along, these people were trying to get her to agree with them. She had gone to the manager but had just been told to suck it up. How could a thing like that happen to her?
“Suck It Up”
The Couple
Brittany Spencer had already been waitressing for the past couple of years, and she figured she had seen everything. Almost every type of person arrived at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, through Fat Joe’s Bar & Grill. But when an elderly couple came through the door, she didn’t think anything about it first.
The Couple
They Looked Around The Diner
When they sat down, their gestures started to change. Immediately, Brittany knew it was going to be really tough. The couple looked all over the restaurant, slapping their faces as if they were stepping into their terrible nightmare with frustration. Reasonably enough, this was not a Michelin star diner, but the food is great.
They Looked Around The Diner
She Smelled Something Awful
Brittany had dismissed her first observations. She thought she might also make them laugh with her charming personality. And yet, she had no clue how entirely wrong she had been. She approached them and also decided to offer the menus. There wasn’t a hello back when she decided to hand them menu options. The lady crinkled her nose as if she had smelled something nasty. This table was going to be a hard one.
She Smelled Something Awful
Laughing At Another Customer
She stepped away, and when she turned around, she could see the pair watching and laughing at yet another client on the edge of the restaurant. The center of their bile was a frequent and also very friendly client.
Laughing At Another Customer
In Deep Discussion
The pair were deep in discussion as well as largely ignorant that Brittany was waiting at another table next to them. Brittany’s ears twitched, and she paid attention to their conversation. She was in complete shock when she heard what they were saying. How could they do something like that to a person they didn’t even know?
In Deep Discussion
Vile Judgment
As Brittany went to them to start taking their request, they decided to ask her what she thought of the “other client” If she thought it was as horrible and disgusting as they obviously did, they questioned Brittany, also asking why anyone like that would be allowed anywhere near the diner. Their old faces were filled with nothing other than disagreeable judgment.
Vile Judgment
“I Can’t Serve You”
She replied to the elderly couple before walking away from them, “Sorry, but I can’t serve you. And I don’t agree with what you said.”. However, she did not simply abandon it and began to ask her manager if the table could otherwise be allocated to some other staff member. But circumstances were just about to become even further tangled.
“I Can’t Serve You”
“Suck It Up Or Go Home”
Her manager continued to refuse, basically having to tell her that she should “suck it up or go home.” Brittany realized that she could not begin serving the table with customers who had such terrible views on a human being, not even considering trying to make one of her regulars feel very uncomfortable. So she picked up her bag and went through the door barging. But the implications of her conduct were just about to unfold.
“Suck It Up Or Go Home”
Everybody Is On Her Side
Brittany decided that night after work to share what had just taken place on Facebook. People responded, praising Brittany for trying to stand up for herself, and many even called the restaurant where the incident occurred. As Brittany turned her laptop off and tucked it into her bed, she let out a breath of relief. She thought that everyone is probably on her side.
Everybody Is On Her Side
She Was Fired
The very next day, management told Brittany that she had been dismissed! Exploding with rage, she snatched her laptop and immediately proceeded to Facebook. She updated everyone on the dreadful development. The reactions were intense. She said, “But I’ll always choose my morals over money. See ya!” But the owners of the restaurant do have very opposing viewpoints.
She Was Fired
Neutral Approach Didn’t Work
The restaurant’s co-owner made a statement that Brittany had been dismissed since she refused to go and do the job she was appointed to do. She said she had a few discussions in the industry throughout her years that she disagreed with herself, but you just get along and do your job. That being said, the stormy waters were not soothed by their neutral approach.
Neutral Approach Didn’t Work
Blind Eye
Brittany and others said that it was turning a blind eye to allow racism to take place with little or no response in your institution, which she perceives to be the same as simply stating one’s own hurtful things. But Brittany still thought she had made the correct call. As for the diner’s current conditions as well as principles?
Blind Eye
Continue The Same Approach
Brittany ended her viral post on Facebook with: “Please feel free to leave a review on their Facebook page, Fat Joe’s Bar and Grill.” They started to get far too much hatred that their Facebook page had to be removed for a while, but it’s up again. Also, not long after the situation made headlines, a handful of in-person demonstrations forced the diner to contact the cops. After all, they declare that the incident has not significantly impacted their daily operations and that they will proceed with much the same moral approach. Yet there was one crucial feature they deliberately missed out on, which was neglected by many people.
Continue The Same Approach
Just Taking The Order
Brittney behaved with enough professional competence to ask politely to change tables, which is not really a huge request. The manager’s initial response (“suck it up”) reveals the mentality towards their staff member’s convenience, and what about being allowed to deny service to customers trying to impose viewpoints on someone who just wants to take their request? And what would they have to say to the owners, both Joe and Whitney Wallander?
Just Taking The Order