Kristina M.
Yelp
I'm a regular here. Normally love the place. Quick qualifier: I'm visually impaired. Can't read signs. I had a really negative encounter with one of the bartenders, which really surprised me. Apparently, there's a sign, no idea how big it is because I can't actually see it, that says no cell phone use in line or something. I took a call from my mother who lives out of state and is an invalid. I was trying to wrap it up when the bartender waited on the person behind me while saying "it's ok she's on her phone and won't be served until she gets off it." I was like, "What?" And he said "can't you read signs?" And I'm like no not actually. All he had to do was say to me, "hey we have a no cell phones in line policy" and I would have said "oh sorry, cool." Instead he turned it into an argument. He asked me if I thought it was polite to use a cell phone if I'm in line in other places. The answer is yes. It depends on the etiquette of the location. Not having ever seen the sign, I had no idea that was an important point of etiquette, and I use my phone constantly as a visual aid. Rather than be polite, he said "I take your point but it's still rude and it's a good thing you think you're right, but you're not." He actually said that. Not even exaggerating. Other patrons then came up and said to me "that guys is a prick." Apparently earlier in the night he tellers at someone for throwing a glass bottle in the garbage can when there's no recycle bin around and said "come back! We recycle here" like...how is that helpful? I don't know who he is, didn't catch a name, but that is super rude, equally as rude, if not more so, as me accidentally breaching etiquette by not being able to read a tiny sign. All he has to do is say "hey did you know?" In a tone that's not overbearing or condescending. Instead, he was abrasive, argumentative, and way too forceful for the situation.
Whoever owns this place should give that kid a serious talking to about how to have a service-based job. I have one. It's not difficult to be polite while asking politeness from others. Wish I could be positive, but ableism and rudeness really tick me off. I get dealing with drunk people, but not everyone is one of those, and talking over, being condescending to someone with a disability, and generally being toxic in a public space? That ain't it son.