Veronica C.
Yelp
Yesterday, my colleague & I headed to Acme Bar & Coffee for lunch. A few minutes after we were seated, a male foreigner (Acme's Ops Manager) sat next to our table. Half way through my meal, I experienced bowel discomfort and walked towards the restrooms. I entered the last cubicle.
As I was sitting on the toilet bowl, I heard a male voice. Then, I saw a hand & measuring tape against the glass door. It was at that moment I realized the bottom half of the door was covered with a few flimsy cardboards. To my horror, there was a gap at the top right. Attached are pictures of before & after the cubicle is occupied. I was wearing a green dress. You can see clearly my leg & green dress. (It was taken after the horrifying experience and I was fully dressed when the photo was taken)
When I exited the cubicle, I saw the foreigner talking on his phone & holding a measuring tape. I walked out of the restroom & called the receptionist to enter the restroom with me. I pointed to her that the door was not properly covered & asked, "Who was measuring the door just now?" She kept quiet.
I looked at the man & asked, "Was it you? Did you look inside?" He replied, "No, wasn't me. When I measured the door, it was wide open." I clarified, "No. I was sitting inside & saw the measuring tape & hands. How could you be measuring the door when I am inside? Are you a Peeping Tom?" His facial expression changed. He raised his voice, "I don't have time to take this shit from you."
I was taken aback & said, "I am going to make a complaint to your management." He responded, "What management?! This is a private business. I'm the Operations Manager of this place."
I was shocked. I told him, "You better watch your language. I'm the customer. You shouldn't measure the door when it is occupied." He cursed at me, "Fuck you!"
Immediately, I returned to my seat & related the incident to my colleague. My colleague called the waiter to verify is the foreigner the Operations Manager. Affirmative. She, then, gestured to the manager to come to our table. She asked, "What's your name?". He told her, "Javier Steward".
My colleague told him, "We want a formal apology for the unpleasant incident in the restroom. This is your establishment. You are the manager & she is your customer. My friend is traumatised by the incident. It is impolite to curse at a customer." He refused to apologise and said, "It wasn't me who checked the door. It can be anybody. I can view the CCTV and see who entered the restroom after her." (There were other customers sitting next to our table & they could hear our conversation)
My colleague managed & controlled the conversation well. When Javier finally calmed down he said, "I'm the only one managing the whole restaurant & holding the measuring tape. I don't understand why she is angry." I told him, "I'm a woman. You are a man. In this situation, any woman would be afraid & angry." His answer, "From where I come from, women & men are equal."
While we were footing the bill, my colleague requested the waiter to write the Ops Manager's name on the business card. He wrote, "Javier Alvarez". I was unhappy & walked out of the restaurant for fresh air. Javier conversed with my colleague. Afterwards, he came out to formally apologise for the incident.