Brittany could hear her heart pounding in her chest, she didn't know what to do. Why were they being so rude for no reason? She wished that she could just walk away and never come back, but she needed this job.
The worst of all, her manager wasn't on her side either and told her to get over it already. It got even worse when the guests realized the place wasn't up to their standard.
Brittany Spencer
Brittany Spencer worked as a waitress for over two years and thought she had seen it all. She had dealt with different kinds of customers, some were polite, others not so much.
She was about to be proven wrong, though. What this couple did one day at her restaurant shocked her to the core.
Fat Joe’s Bar & Grill
She worked at Fat Joe’s Bar & Grill in Fond du Lac and welcomed hundreds of customers every day. Brittany had become immune to rudeness and didn't take any negative comments to heart.
So when an elderly couple entered the restaurant, she didn't think anything of it and went to greet them.
They Weren't Feeling It
When Brittany looked at the couple, she could tell they weren't in a good mood.
She had a feeling they were going to be problematic customers. Still, she didn't think much of it and welcomed them with a warm smile. Little did she know that they would ruin her day and career.
They Looked Angry
The couple looked around the restaurant with a disgusted look on their face, like they didn't want to be there at all. Of course, it wasn't a fancy place with five-course meals, but the food was still delicious.
So what was the issue? Brittany couldn't understand what she had possibly done wrong when they didn't even try the food yet.
She Tried Her Best
Despite the dirty looks, Brittany still had to serve them, so she walked up to them and asked what they would like to order.
She figured her positive attitude would brighten their mood, but she couldn't have been more wrong about that. This couple was going to give her a very hard time.
They Started Laughing
Brittany went up to their table and handed them two menus. The couple didn't even bother saying "hello" or "thank you" to her.
As she walked back to the bar, she heard them giggling. Brittany thought it was a good sign, but when she realized why they were laughing, her heart sank.
Something Was Funny To Them
Brittany soon realized the couple was laughing at another customer eating alone at a table next to them. She couldn't understand what was so funny to them.
The man was a regular customer. He was always friendly and sweet to her. She would soon find out why they were laughing at him.
She Listened To Their Conversation
When Brittany went to help another customer sitting next to them, she could hear everything they were saying.
Her stomach was in knots as she listened to their conversation. How could some people be so cruel? They were in a public place, after all!
They Were Judging Him
When Brittany returned to the couple to take their order, they looked at her and asked, “That customer over there, what do you think about them?”
Then, they asked Brittany why they allowed someone like him into the restaurant. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
She Refused To Serve Them
Brittany looked at the judgemental couple and said: “Sorry, but I can’t serve you. And I don’t agree with what you said.”
While Brittany knew that her behavior could cost her her job, she didn't think someone like them should be served. So, she went to talk to her manager to see what could be done. Things were about to get tough for her.
"Suck It Up Or Go Home"
Brittany's manager didn't care in the slightest about what had happened. He didn't want to get involved and told her to "suck it up or go home."
Brittany couldn't believe how someone could be that rude for no reason. That man did nothing wrong and was just enjoying a warm meal. Hurt by their words, she gathered her stuff and walked out of the door. She had no idea what was about to happen next.
She Shared Her Story Online
Brittany decided to share her story on Facebook to see what others thought of the situation.
"I got sent home from work early because I refused to serve a table who were making transphobic remarks about guests at one of my tables. Oh well, at least I stand by my morals and beliefs," she said in her post. So what did other people think of the incident?
They Were On Her Side
The majority of people praised Brittany for her actions, saying she did the right thing. Brittany felt vindicated and headed to bed.
The next day, she learned that she was fired from Fat Joe's Bar and Grill. Not only did the management disagree with what she said, but they took the couple's side and went as far as commenting on her Facebook post.
The Response
The Fat Joe's Bar and Grill commended: "Your friend was dismissed for her job for specifically refusing a task she was hired for. We at Fat Joe's hold a neutral stance towards all points of view regarding sensitive and polar topics."
"We appreciate all patrons who come to visit our business. Thank you for your comment regarding our food, drinks, service, and entertainment." Brittany was bursting with anger as she read the management's response, but this was only the beginning.
The Co-Owner's Opinion
The co-owner of the restaurant explained that she had heard plenty of conversations she disagreed with, but she always kept her opinion to herself.
"You just move on and do your job," she said. Brittany disagreed with what her manager said, claiming they were turning a blind eye.
She Made The Right Decision
Brittany still thought she made the right decision by refusing to serve those arrogant customers. “Please feel free to leave a review on their Facebook page, Fat Joe’s Bar and Grill.” she continued.
The restaurant started receiving so much negative feedback that they had to remove their Facebook page. What did this mean for their business?
They Weren't Affected
The management claims the incident didn't affect their day-to-day business, and they aren't planning on changing their moral approach.
However, there was one important issue that they forgot to address. When Brittany asked her manager if she could switch the table and let another waiter deal with the couple, he told her to "suck it up."
It's Not Fair
This reaction reveals the attitude towards their staff's opinions and comfort. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it shouldn't be forced on others. Brittany was just trying to take their meal order, but instead, she received a lecture on who should be and shouldn't be allowed to eat there.
What did the owners Joe and Whiney Wallander say about this incident?
Their Opinion On The Matter
During an interview with CBS, Whitney Wallander said: "Everybody has their opinions. Everybody is entitled to their opinions."
She also said that the management team didn't fire Brittany; they just sent her home for the day. However, other staff members had taken the screenshots of the management's comment under Brittany's post. Someone wasn't telling the truth.
She Called Them Out
Although Brittany's post didn't mention Fat Joe's, her profile listed the restaurant as her place of work.
This meant that everyone who read her post knew which business she was talking about, and the owners didn't like the fact that they were being publically called out online.
They Believe It's Unprofessional
After all, this post could've damaged the restaurant's reputation. Tad believes what she did was very unprofessional.
When Brittany came to attend the staff meeting, she was immediately fired. “She decided she wanted to post stuff on Facebook about being sent home,” Whitney said.
She Was Fired
"And we just made the business decision that we can't have employees that aren't going to make us look good as an establishment," she continued.
"We should be able to get along as a community. Everyone has different opinions, and I think it's important that we know how to live with people that have different opinions than us". What did other people think of their decision?
Tads' Opinion
“We don’t take a stand on any conversation people have. We’re not going to impose anyone’s political beliefs, moral beliefs, ideals on any single person. We’re just here to serve food and drinks," Tad said.
Even though the management team thinks they did the right thing, other people believe they should've known better.
"Political Battleground"
After Brittany's post, the restaurant's Facebook page became a "political battleground." It got so intense that the owners had to take it down.
They said they didn't want to be associated with Brittany's post. The next day they started receiving a lot of threatening emails.
"Respectful" To Everyone
The owners claim Fat Joe's seeks to be respectful and neutral to all customers. Apparently, the rude couple and the man they were laughing about were regulars.
According to Tad, there had never been an argument between these customers before. What did Brittany have to say about that?
She Wanted To Teach Them A Lesson
“If they felt they were being harassed, if they did, I apologize — that was never my intention,” she said.
"I don't want anyone to be harassed, but they do need to know that what they did was wrong. Letting people say transphobic things is not remaining neutral," she continued.
She Just Wanted To Switch Tables
“I didn’t make a scene. I wasn’t asking for them to be kicked out. I didn’t want to take a table," she said.
However, the restaurant seems to be attracting new customers, thanks to Brittany's post, and the management team isn't planning to make any changes even after being exposed on social media.
She Hoped They Learned Their Lesson
“If you want to walk in our front door and you want to have our food or drinks, watch TV, watch live music we provide, we’re going to serve you as best we can and make you happy to your standards,” the owners told WTMJ.
Brittany doesn't hold any grudges against her managers, but she does hope they learned their lesson and won't allow their customers to treat each other this way again.
Her Thoughts
“I hope this incident will open people’s eyes that hate like this is still occurring in 2019 and the idly standing by and spreading hate is just as bad as spreading it yourself,” Brittany said.
Do you think she did the right thing?