davidh777

Sdallnct

Nefarious

I read the full article and you aren't missing anything that would alter your stance.

JasonF

Groucho

Yeah I would complain if a server had a comment about something I was wearing too. Doesn't matter what it is.

Nefarious

It seems somewhat in dispute, though, if that what she was fired for. Management is saying it was related to other things. The server believes it was related to this incident.

I strongly oppose pretty much every Trump policy and I can't imagine saying something to someone wearing a MAGA hat or "Keep America Great" pin unless they were in the act of saying or doing something that was unacceptable. Just eating a meal doesn't meet that threshold.

However, I can appreciate the idea that Trump has so aligned himself with hatred, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, and other hostile representations that are un-American and unacceptable. In that regard, I can somewhat support and understand someone who feels the very representation of Trump (via MAGA hats, pins, etc.) is espousing implicit support for those same things and feels the need/urge to call it out. Trump is responsible for that and it is without question to any rationale human being. For example, would I have an issue with a black waitress losing her smile and becoming visibly upset if a white patron removed their jacket to reveal they were waring a white power or nazi themed shirt? No, I'd understand. There is something to be said for the fact that these items are a representation of hate speech.

I don't know what the server's end goal is here. If it is just to bring awareness and a talking point, fine. If she wants to set up an angle to sue her former employer, no so fine.

Was it petty for the patrons to ask for a refund? Yes. Should the server be fired for that action alone? No.

cultshock

Not that I'd wear that stupid pin, but I probably just would have shot back "Your job is to bring me food, not critique my wardrobe choices." Of course, then I'd worry about my food being spit on (or worse) in the kitchen.

Red Dog

It was more than "losing their smile."

Your article says the server said "I don't appreciate that you're wearing that pin."

I'd be pissed off too as a customer and would certainly complain to the manager.

slop101

Everything is crumbling...
GOP/trump: "We could fix it, but let's build a useless wall instead!"

cungar

That should make a nice campaign ad.

slop101

Or this...

Literally in the fucking hospital and politicking like an asshole.

joeblow69

The customer ASKED her why she lost her smile. Don't ask your server questions like that if you aren't ready to hear the answer.

Sdallnct

Red Dog

Doesn't matter to me.

I have a simple rule for work as an employee. I keep my politics to myself. I expect others to do the same. If you work in customer service, that should go double. Don't like it. Tough shit.

If this was the owner, I'd have no problem with what they did. It's their business.

eXcentris

The America we knew is gone, and it was gone before Trump

America’s afflictions, meanwhile, are chronic and debilitating. They did not begin with Trump, and they will not end after Nov. 3, 2020.
https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ter...e-before-trump


Even our papers are depressing.

cungar

"Hey you know it sucks that these people were physically maimed because of my words but did you catch the rally I had near here? Place was packed and twice the number were waiting outside"

GoVegan

She asked because she already knew the answer. Back when I was a teenage asshole, I had a shirt that said "Jesus" really big and then in small print underneath "protect me from your followers". When you're wearing something like that, you get to notice people's reactions. There's no way she didn't notice her server's eyes drop to the button immediately before the smile went away. She's seen that reaction before, but this time she got to do something about it.

Noonan

Yep. I wouldn't be surprised if she wore it specifically for the looks/comments.

JasonF

sracer

That is part of the job of everyone who works in retail or service. Just because the topic happened to be politics doesn't make it less important.

JasonF

sracer

Hyperbole.... activated. Nobody is saying that the server has to feel super happy chipper for their entire shift. Nobody is saying what the server has to feel anything in particular. But they should present themselves in a professional manner. Responding to a button that a customer is wearing isn't professional. Seems like the server is thinking about themselves and was so fragile that a simple button was enough to alter their countenance.

eXcentris

Considering how many times I bitched about the fake "overly happy to see you!" attitude of servers in US restaurants, it sure as heck seems that they are trained that way.

Red Dog

Not missing the point. As I said before, that's irrelavent. Keep your politcal opinion to yourself as a server. The customer did not insult her. It seems to me that the server was the one who was triggered first. It's a fucking MAGA pin, for pete's sake. Get over it. Not to mention, she's probably faking a smile to begin with to try for bigger tips (aka lying about her own emotions).

Plus we're talking about a server in a Washington DC restuarant. I've lived here for 25 years. There is politics all over the place - in public. As a server, you should fully expect to serve people of all different political stripes. Not to mention it's a tourist hub where you're going to deal with people with a wide range of views. If you can't keep your politics to yourself in such an environment, you probably should not be a server.

maxfisher