The thing is, "some people" don't realize that they're being offensive or that they're acting upon stereotypes. Who knows if that waitress was or wasn't, but that puts another angle to the story. A person in that story could very well not be racist yet use subtle stereotypes.
why should they just not 'understand' that he treated me like crap so I treated him like crap why should I always be the one to 'turn the other cheek'? why should I give a benefit of the doubt that I do not receive? Rocket River
Because you aren't "always" the one who turns the other cheek. You may be surprised by the number of people who put up with you at various times when you don't realize you are acting like a jerk. Obviously you must never realize it, but you indeed get the benefit of the doubt sometimes. Perhaps your memory is selective.
more than likely, she probably had other people go off on her about the price change and was just covering her butt, granted rudely. someone cut me off in traffic...racism?
You might take some people to mean something different. But why should we ignore the history of racism, and current racism that does exist today? Shouldn't that play some factor(even if it is a small one) in making our guesses whether race played an issue. I agree that there isn't enough evidence to convict someone. Anything I think is pure guessing at this point.
We can coexist...gracefully. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NIGbhPLZmjY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NIGbhPLZmjY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
It has never occurred to me that the phrase "some people" used in this type of context could be construed as racist, especially when talking directly to someone as this waitress appears to have done. I use "some people" often when writing or talking and never once has it had racial overtones. It generally is simply stating a fact. Is the title of this BBS thread racist? http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=83982&highlight=some+people
It depends on the context. The waitress saw a fairly well - well dressed African American come into the establishment. She then "warned" the man that the dish he wanted wasn't as cheap as it used to be. If he was well dressed what factors did she use to make the judgement that AB needed to be told about the price change. When he was offended, she then began talking about "some people". It isn't in every context that "some people" would be racist, and it may not be in this context, but it certainly could be.
i get the feeling the unspoken rule is that white people are racist until proven otherwise. however, minorities are not racist until proven racist. Also, a white racist is worse than a non-white racist. I guess thats the tradeoff for years of past discrimination.
the irony factor in this thread just went thru the roof! what do you mean by "some people" another brother? can we automatically assume that you were talking about hispanics when you said "some people", since you made the same assumption regarding the (white) waitress?
Obviously I know absolutely nothing about the waitress and her mind set. That being said, if I went into a chain type of restaurant and ordered one of their items without looking at the menu and a relatively recent price change had occurred, I would definitely appreciate it if the wait person informed me of that price change regardless of how I was dressed.
Not this big of a deal. It was an isolated event that I thought I'd share, not a life-altering confrontation that I'm losing sleep over. What happened really? I thought she used poor judgement in addressing the salad issue. I was disturbed more by how she said it than what she actually said. I didn't call for her firing, but I did share the story with her Manager, who was standing at the door on my way out (I didn't go looking for him). If I had taken the salad for free it would have defeated the purpose of my protest, it would have seemed as if the price of the salad was the problem and not the way the situation was handled. I don't even dislike her! I dislike what she said...not even that...I disliked how she said it. I have a question. Some of you imply that I look for racism - how does that profit me...I mean really? Do I make up racist claims so I can get the attention? I get plenty of attention because of my craft, no need to make up situations. Do I make up racist claims because I am doing poorly? No, I'm happy with my career, and though I could use more money I'm not ashamed of what I earn. Do I make up racist claims because I don't like white people? I like Trader Jorge and RocketFat, all else pales in comparison. The thing about the mere mention of racism is that it brings out the worst in everyone. Things have been said on here about me regarding this situation that the Bennigan's girl probably wouldn't have even said. I may misjudge intent but I never misjudge the way I feel, and that's what I shared here, the way it made me feel. And I can't help the way I feel, whether right or wrong. Thanks for watching, you really do love me don't you.
Especially when it comes to getting into a college. THATS RIGHT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M IM GONNA GET YOU just kidding
The Bennigans story is a great great thread, AB, thank for posting in a really even handed and open minded way; to me, it is a substantive hotbutton issue, difficult to discuss in a civilized way, and you surely did. I have like 3 million things to say, but honestly no time to write them properly. In short, you were in that room, you caught the vibe, you reacted how you reacted, I think very rationally and appropriately - by not patronizing a place that did not make you feel comfortable. Making all customers comfortable is on them, and if they dont., they should not be patronized. I doubt it is "Old Racism" as in she 'thinks blacks should not be allowed into the hallowed halls of Bennigans', but it is "Racism 2K" in that she certainly did not think something through, and took a tone with you in which she appeared to be taking her frustrations with other customers out on you, possibly based on the color of your skin. Whether or not she was thinking it - which by the way, based on the little i know about you, my feeling is that if AB thought she was she probably was - it is up to her to not make you wonder one way or the other. If she could have said - without attitude - "happy to get you the salad - the price went up to $6.99, and sometimes that puts customers off - you still good? Great. Can I get you anything else?" That would be one thing. But by sounding more dickish than helpful, she left herself vulnerable to that interpretation - one I surely would have made had i been in your shoes and skin. If nothing else, it just kills one's appetite and makes it hard to spend $4.99 - wait, $6.99 - of your hard earned $ in their establishment. I mean, based on your cover charge, how many people have to buy tickets to your show to cover that salad? Fifteen or so? I would not hand it over to someone who made me feel uncomfortable either. The one thing i think you did wrong was eat at Bennigans, much less have a regular dish there. I know touring is beat, and decent food is hard to come by, but come ON man, you have an image to uphold.
