Everyday Racism Or Sensible Business Practices?

[sp1814]

I’m going for the former.

This is clearly prejudiced behaviour (in that the waiter was prejudging the customers based on their race alone).

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43954750

[Deskdiary]

If nobody else was asked to pre-pay, if the other diners were not repeat customers, and if the people concerned were the only black people in the restaurant, then definitely racism.

[ummmm]

Racism. There's no other explanation.

[ToraToraTora]

well, I think we should ask why the outlet found this policy necessary, could it be that they have stats to back up the clear assertion here?

[anotheoldgit]

Perhaps the restaurateur had experienced problems before from persons of a certain race, once again some have to suffer for the actions of others.

[ToraToraTora]

how?

[anotheoldgit]

I wonder whether or not there would have been a case, if instead of being black the diners had been bikers for example?

[jim360]

I wonder if, instead of drawing up a sensible analogy, making a stupid comparison really adds anything worthwhile to the discussion?

[Old_Geezer]

I went to a garage once that wanted payment before dispensing petrol. Never went back again. Some things just aren't to be done.

[woofgang]

nope no case at all for judging anybody by their appearance or assuming that they will behave the same as people who they resemble.

[steg]

//I wonder whether or not there would have been a case, if instead of being black the diners had been bikers for example?// or Martians

[ToraToraTora]

OG that's routine on the continent, right pain in the proverbial.

[jno]

looks like the bog-standard definition of racism to me: treating people differently because of the colour of their skin.

I'd love to see the stats showing that black people don't pay for food, but I suspect they're totally imaginary.

[THECORBYLOON]

As bikers are neither a race nor a religion, I doubt a legal challenge would win in the UK.

[naomi24]

I can only assume they have their reasons for being wary ... but in those circumstances it would be more sensible to ask everyone to pay up front.

[mushroom25]

//I'm sure if they specifically said all bikers had to pay before meals there would also be some kind of response. //

I doubt it. Canada has something of a history with young men who ride motorcycles - google "Quebec Biker Wars"......

[youngmafbog]

Quite possible that this is racism but then again three young men sitting down in a late night eatery may well also be the problem. I strongly suspect the restaurant has had issues with those doing a runner, it may be along race lines it may just be along the lines of a group of blokes . Only the restaurant will know the real truth.

I used to drink a back street bar in Bruxelles. They never asked for a tab even when we supped 40 beers between the tow of us one lumchtime, but a group of french speakers came in and they were asked to pay for each round. I have no doubt it was becasue they knew us but it would be very difficult to prove as if the others had complained the bar did not even know our names to put forward to back their claim.