Selasa, 24 April 2012

Restaurant racism revealed as 40% of waiters admit they discriminate against black customers because they 'don't tip well'

Restaurant racism revealed as 40% of waiters admit they discriminate against black customers because they 'don't tip well'

By Hugo Gye

PUBLISHED: 18:55 EST, 23 April 2012 | UPDATED: 06:29 EST, 24 April 2012

Most people would like to believe that racial discrimination is becoming increasingly rare and unacceptable in mainstream society.

But a new study suggests that African-Americans still face subtle prejudice in at least one area of life - dining out.

A survey of waiters in North Carolina revealed that nearly two-fifths admitted to treating customers differently depending on their race.

And as many as 90 per cent said they had participated in or overheard racially charged conversations among their co-workers.

Prejudice: African-Americans may be at a disadvantage when they dine out (picture posed by models)

Prejudice: African-Americans may be at a disadvantage when they dine out (picture posed by models)

‘Many people believe that race is no longer a significant issue in the United States,’ says Sarah Rusche, a Ph.D. candidate in sociology at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the study.

‘But the fact that a third of servers admit to varying their quality of service based on customers' race, often giving African-Americans inferior service, shows that race continues to be an issue in our society.’

The article, which is published in the Journal of Black Studies, reported the results of a survey of 200 servers at 18 different restaurants in the state.

Many of the waiters questioned said they perceived African-Americans to be less polite than others, while some added that they thought black diners tipped less generously.

These beliefs led 38.5 per cent of the waiters - a large majority of whom were white - to admit that they adjusted the quality of their service based on the race of their customers.

And 52.8 per cent of those surveyed said they had seen their colleagues discriminate against African-Americans.

In American restaurants, up to a third of servers will serve customers slower simply because they are African-American

In American restaurants, up to a third of servers will serve customers slower simply because they are African-American

Racial discrimination is even more rife behind the scenes at restaurants, according to the study, as most servers reported hearing or joining in with 'racialised discourse'.

Close to 90 per cent said they had experienced co-workers' gossiping about the race of customers.

Sarah Rusche of North Carolina State University, one of the study's authors, commented: '"Tableside racism" is yet another example in which African-Americans are stereotyped and subsequently treated poorly in everyday situations.

'Race continues to be a significant barrier to equal treatment in restaurants and other areas of social life.'

Internet users had mixed reactions to the controversial findings.

One commenter, who claimed to be a black waiter himself, wrote: 'I am embarrassed at the seemingly deliberate ignorance of African-Americans when it comes to tipping.'

However, another warned against stereotyping an entire race based on pre-conceptions, describing the behaviour depicted in the study as 'the definition of racism'.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Best rated
  • Worst rated

whatever is wrong, waiters make 2.13 minimum wage. tips are their only income. stereotypes do hold some truth.

Report abuse

I do not agree with the American custom of tipping a set percentage of the bill as it can amount to gross over remuneration for simply carrying some plates to the table. Waiting staff should be paid a fair wage and the cost should be built into the prices on the menu. It is demeaning to the dignity of waiters and waitresses to send them around the tables begging for loose change.

Report abuse

As an European, living in the US... In the US the tip is 'calculated' in the waiter's pay. It's something that's expected. When in reality it's Gratitude.... it's given for good service and it should be based on good service, not taken for granted! It's really frustrating when you go to a restaurant and they give you a list with pre calculated. expected tips. I leave good tips when given good service, but I don't have a problem leaving a $1 tip when given poor service.

Report abuse

We always tip at least 20%, especially because we tend to eat at the same restaurants. We get much better service because we tip well. If I get poor to so-so service, I 'punish' the server by tipping only 15%. Can't remember the last time I had to do that.

Report abuse

To .........- audreyr, uk and us, 24/4/2012 14:35..... I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make........ I think we get the point you are trying to make...

Report abuse

The problem is that the American restaurant owners don't want to pay the waiters out of their own profits. I wonder how this crazy system has existed for so long. Let the tips be a bonus, not the entire salary.

Report abuse

I would add Europeans and British. I work in the tourist industry and they are cheap.

Report abuse

I understand that waiters basic pay is very low as employers rely on customrs to make up the difference. this is not a good thing. I ran an hotel and restaurant and I paid my staff fairly and any tips were put in a kitty and shared out in front of each dept. and everyone got an equal share. I did this when waiters claimed the lot. wheras the hidden staff got nothing. It was amazing once the kitty box was open in front of each dept. head that they all enjoyed the share out and it created a better spiriit between the departments. '

Report abuse

I understand that waiters basic pay is very low as employers rely on customrs to make up the difference. this is not a good thing. I ran an hotel and restaurant and I paid my staff fairly and any tips were put in a kitty and shared out in front of each dept. and everyone got an equal share. I did this when waiters claimed the lot. wheras the hidden staff got nothing. It was amazing once the kitty box was open in front of each dept. head that they all enjoyed the share out and it created a better spiriit between the departments. '

Report abuse

I understand that waiters basic pay is very low as employers rely on customrs to make up the difference. this is not a good thing. I ran an hotel and restaurant and I paid my staff fairly and any tips were put in a kitty and shared out in front of each dept. and everyone got an equal share. I did this when waiters claimed the lot. wheras the hidden staff got nothing. It was amazing once the kitty box was open in front of each dept. head that they all enjoyed the share out and it created a better spiriit between the departments. '

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Diposting oleh di

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Langganan: Posting Komentar (Atom)