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Racism.
That one word is enough to describe our experience at this café.
On this day, despite the strong winds and cold weather, we traveled a long distance to meet at this café known for its beautiful view.
Since we had a small dog with us, sitting indoors was not an option, and on a windy day like this, we were wondering where to sit. Just then, we saw that the high chair table with the best view was available, and we sat there.
We were with a pregnant friend and also had a photo shoot scheduled nearby, so we thought this was a good spot for many reasons.
Until just moments before, three people had been dining at that table. While the staff was clearing it, we waited.
The staff member kindly told us, “This table can seat up to 8 people. It’s okay if other guests sit next to you, and it’s also fine that you sit here first.”
Based on that explanation, we chose to sit at that table.
After ordering our food, tea and bread were served first, and we began our meal.
Then another staff member approached us and said in a blunt tone:
“This table is originally for groups. A group of 12 has arrived. Can you move?”
My friend, caught off guard, answered “Yes,” but I immediately responded, “No,” clearly and firmly.
That was our final answer.
Even so, our plates were already being moved without our permission.
Only then did the staff member ask, “Have you ordered your food?”
When we first sat down, we had been given a clear explanation, and we chose the seat on that basis.
Had she told us from the beginning what she was telling us now, we would have understood.
But asking us to move in the middle of our meal was simply unacceptable, and the new table was one we truly did not want to sit at.
When we expressed this, she said:
“I explained it nicely and clearly earlier, didn’t I?”
We were taken aback.
What hurt even more was the fact that a small group sitting at the same kind of table right next to us continued eating there without any problem.
Why us?
That table was exposed to cold wind and clouds of dust.
Dust kept flying into our faces, eyes, and even onto our food.
There was water pooled on the ground, and our bag fell and got wet.
It was a table that made us feel isolated and trapped.
I still cannot understand why we were asked to move after clearly refusing, while we were already seated and had started our meal.
In more than 10 years of living in Australia, I had never been treated this way.
I had never even written a one-star review before, but this one took me a long time to process and write.
That day remains not as a “café,” but as an “experience.”
I sincerely hope that nothing like this ever happens to anyone else again.
