Who to contact if you feel you've been discriminated against in a resturant

Question

Who to contact if you feel you've been discriminated against in a resturant

Answer 1

If it is a national chain, you can call the headquarters. If it is a small one and the management won't do anything, you can always press charges. Or just talk the restaurant down and that will get the message to them.  

Answer 2

It depends.  You can contact the manager if the discrimination came from a waiter or waitress.  Or you can write a formal complaint letter to the manager and to the complaints office if it is a chain retaurant.  If there is a pervasive pattern that occurs with lots of different people (such as was the case with Denny's a few years back or Cracker Barrell)  you can try your local branch of some sort of civil rights organization such as the NAACP - they might be able to point you in the right direction.  And of course, there is always the Better Business Bureau.  

I totally disagree with SaturnMan because he was quick to make assumptions (that you received rude service, that you aren't a white male, etc.) and to say how sick he was of hearing about discrimination.  People don't only discriminate racially, but sometimes because of sexual orientation, class, color (even if people are of the same race), gender, or ethnic background.  He didn't ask any questions about what happened, why you feel discriminated against, etc. and he didn't really answer your question.  Often people who haven't really experienced discrimination on a regular basis have no idea how demoralizing and degrading it is and thus are often flip when they answer questions.

If you feel discriminated against, try to discuss it with the person higher up than the person who discriminated against you.  Be firm but reasonable and open.  Maintaining a professional composure as you make your complaint in person (or writing a formal letter) establishes the fact that you aren't some "rabble rouser" but rather are a paying customer that is about to walk out of the door never to return unless something is changed.  I wish you all the best.

Answer 3

I agree with that guy (i think he's 2nd). I usually go to the different restaurant because nobody is going to listen to me because i'm wite male.

Answer 4

Just go to a different resteraunt unless it was something blatant (being called a racial slur, etc.).  

Answer 5

First of all, discrimination is extremely hard to prove and unless it was extremely blatant or serious, I would say not to bother doing anything. You probably won't get anywhere. Also, you didn't mention any details on this incident so we don't know if you were really discriminated against. Not to say it was the case but you have to remember that many people use the race card and accuse people of discrimination when it's just a simple misunderstanding. I had someone falsely accuse me of discrimination at my former job and, unfortunately, it happens much too often.

On the other hand, if you feel you do have a solid case, I'd probably talk to management first and see if they can do anything for you. Next, I would suggest talking to a legal expert such as a lawyer to see if you should pursue it further.

Answer 6

I honestly would let it go. I feel people take the whole discrimination thing way too war. Unless if it was very obvious. For example the waitress gave everyone GREAT service except you. However, too although this is wrong of the server, but if you were very rude to the server they could have been less attentive to you because of the way you treated them. From being a former server, many many people of different ethnic groups come in and of different sexual preferences. I doubt a server who is against anyone in anyway would ever have a job that is serving the general public.

But, if you feel you have a case, remember the servers name and bring it to the attention of the general manager.  

Answer 7

Start with the manager or owner.  Like any other issue you might encounter at a restaurant, it's important to go through proper channels and the correct process.

Answer 8

Waiters and waitresses are rude to everybody, what makes you so special?

Answer 9

I'm sick of the entire discrimination issue.  It is vastly overblown.  I've been ignored by a waitress many times, but since I am a white male, I have nowhere to complain.  So I just blow it off and do not go there again.

Answer 10

i would go back to that restaurant and demand for the manager. if you dont talk to that person, i dont think you will get a lot done.