Service Refused

I can't vouch for this, but a woman I met at a party once told a great story about being a tourist in Rome and wearing typical tourist wear, including a sleeveless blouse, and being kicked out.... of the Vatican!

In the summer of 1972, after stopping in Atlanta during a trip from Florida back to Ohio, my wife and I were refused service in a number of restaurants in downtown Atlanta because we were wearing casual clothing. We kept trying to no avail, and finally in what might be called desperation, we ended up at the airport, which was not far from the motel we'd checked into earlier.

Figuring what the Hell, it's the airport, and you're not going to be refused service there just because you're wearing jeans, we parked and went inside. As it turned out, employees were picketing the restaurant, and I don't cross union picket lines. So, we said what the Hell, and went across the terminal to the bar for a drink. As we got up the the bar the bartender said he couldn't serve us in there because of the way we were dressed. But he offered to pour us drinks in paper cups to take with us.

Giving up, really angry, and saying screw Atlanta, we headed back to the motel. Along the way we spotted something called a Waffle House. Never having heard of it before, I swung into the parking lot and looked in the windows, where I saw people who were dressed as we were. It was love at first sight -- and first bite -- and I've been a Waffle House fan for 34 years.

I've often wondered how your your love affair with WH began.

I had been on occasion refused service ... at first, for really no reason ... then, with some prompting. Here's a reprint of an earlier post I made giving the circumstances ...

When I was a around 12 years old, sometimes a friend and I would walk up to Kresge's and split a sandwich (it was all we could afford). Even though I was polite when I was young, if it was during the day shift, the counter-women at Kresge's would make it quite obvious that they didn't like us taking up their counter space one bit. And so after being the recipient of horrible service and their really nasty attitudes time after time ... we took to leaving the classic "inverted tip".

An inverted tip is where you take your buddy's glass of water and top-off your glass so it is right up to the rim. Then, after dropping in the tip, take a piece of cardboard or stiff paper and hold it firmly over the mouth of the glass, and in one deft move, invert the glass and set it on the counter ... then carefully pull the cardboard out from under the inverted glass. (and then get out fast)
There is no way to get the tip out without lifting the glass and spilling the water.
For added emphasis on at least one occasion we left coins that were completely worthless (a couple Austrian ten-groschen pieces I think).

The afternoon/evening shift which tended to be older teenage girls was always really nice ... but the morning/early afternoon shift were these bitter older women who looked like a pancake makeup factory had exploded near them, and who chain smoked incessantly.
Incredible how I'm actually nostalgic about them now.

It was really just two of the women in particular. Eventually we just wouldn't sit down if the two of them were working.

I guess because I look like the All American boy even at sixty I have never had this problem. Might also be because I can bore holes in plate steel w/ my look if my polite requests are not honored.

I am bringing this thread back to life to post about a news story here in Louisville from over the Derby Weekend...AL

Making the Local News on Louisville TV, O J Simpson was refused service at the local JEFF RUBY'S STEAKHOUSE during a visit Friday Night of the Derby Weekend. The Owner, Jeff Ruby, apparently didn't want to serve him, and told him that "He would Not Be Served". Simpson then left the restaurant without incident (and with his entourage). Mr Ruby is quoted in the TV report & newspaper as saying he felt Simpson was guilty of murder and He (Ruby) would not serve him.

Here is a link to the Louisville Newspaper story of the incident.
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007705091085

Al

Thanks for posting this, I was going to start one about my new culinary hero, Jeff Ruby.

OJ did leave quietly, a blond in entourage got a little loud and obnoxious.

Jeff Ruby has also taken down all the pictures of OJ at his various restaurants. (which he did back when everything first went down)

Here is the Cincinnati coverage of this event, and some raw footage.

http://www.wlwt.com/news/13280170/detail.html



Just a bit of trivia, Who ended up taking OJ's Table at Ruby's that night?????

Michael Jordan and his date.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman
.... the bartender said he couldn't serve us in there because of the way we were dressed. But he offered to pour us drinks in paper cups to take with us......

I wouldn't eat in any restaurant that would have me as a guest.

All kidding aside, Atlanta-Hartsfield has changed greatly in 30 odd years as the last time I was there, I would have sworn there was a ne'er-do-well convention in just about every airport bar.

OJ - No steak for you!

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen
Making the Local News on Louisville TV, O J Simpson was refused service at the local JEFF RUBY'S STEAKHOUSE during a visit Friday Night of the Derby Weekend. The Owner, Jeff Ruby, apparently didn't want to serve him, and told him that "He would Not Be Served". Simpson then left the restaurant without incident (and with his entourage). Mr Ruby is quoted in the TV report & newspaper as saying he felt Simpson was guilty of murder and He (Ruby) would not serve him.

Here's CNN's version. Note the lawyer's comments: http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/05/09/simpson.snub.ap/index.html.

Brad

Judging from Jeff Ruby's picture, OJ probably left because he was afraid he'd get snuffed.

CajunKing,
If Michael Jordan did indeed inherit the table that O J was evicted from...that kinda blows O J's Lawyers Snarky comment about suing based on racist action by Ruby!!

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen
If Michael Jordan did indeed inherit the table that O J was evicted from...that kinda blows O J's Lawyers Snarky comment about suing based on racist action by Ruby!!

Unfortunately I suspect that the race card that the lawyer's playing is "black man, white woman". The blonde was apparently OJ's date...

Friggin' bottomfeeder.

Brad

Bushie -

Shhhhhhh

Ruby owns the Tropicana in Newport. Hint Hint

quote:

Originally posted by Ashphalt

I can't vouch for this, but a woman I met at a party once told a great story about being a tourist in Rome and wearing typical tourist wear, including a sleeveless blouse, and being kicked out.... of the Vatican!

She was probably being truthful. Showing too much skin in a Catholic Church in Italy is definitely frowned upon.

My SO was asked to leave St. Peter's as a result of wearing Bermuda shorts (on a hot summer day), so I would not be at all surprised to hear of someone being escorted out of The Vatican because of a sleeveless blouse and/or other attire that was considered to be inappropriate.

I can still recall several groups of French tourists at St. Peter's who REEKED of the most horrible body odor, and I think that they were far more offensive than anyone whose touristy clothing I observed, but if the church is using visual standards, rather than olfactory ones, then I guess that the people with the scanty clothing are the ones to go!

quote:

Originally posted by Ashphalt

I can't vouch for this, but a woman I met at a party once told a great story about being a tourist in Rome and wearing typical tourist wear, including a sleeveless blouse, and being kicked out.... of the Vatican!

I hope her response was "Hell, I've been thrown out of better places than this."

quote:

Originally posted by CajunKing

Bushie -

Shhhhhhh

Ruby owns the Tropicana in Newport. Hint Hint

I was asked to leave a public mall because I was breastfeeding. Covered with a huge blanket as well. You could only see my sons feet! Needless to say after telling them it was legal then calling a lawyer and refusing to feed my child in a bathroom...(would YOU eat sitting on the toilet?) I got an apology. I didn't go back though. People from the stone age don't need my money.

quote:

Originally posted by chriscubva

A few years back I attended Bear Invasion in Washington, DC. The event ran for three days and its much like a gay pride event only the activities are targeted for the gay-bear community. First day no problems, but the second day I was asked to leave. Reason, because I worked at the time in media and the group who sponsored the event had a rule "no one is allowed to attend if they are employed in radio/TV or newspapers".

Some one at the previous night who saw me remembered watching me on TV a month earlier.

I didn't know they had even had such a rule but at least they refunded me the nearly $200 that I put out to attend.

What did you think of the Bears' first draft choice? Finally, a tight end in the first round. Go Bears!

quote:

Originally posted by BhamBabe

I was asked to leave a public mall because I was breastfeeding. Covered with a huge blanket as well. You could only see my sons feet! Needless to say after telling them it was legal then calling a lawyer and refusing to feed my child in a bathroom...(would YOU eat sitting on the toilet?) I got an apology. I didn't go back though. People from the stone age don't need my money.

At least you DID get the apology, though. That means a lot, the way I look at it. (even though you had to call a lawyer on it)

Let's chalk it up to IGNORANCE on their part...
a MAN probably threw you out, right?! (Or a real mean, bitter woman)

Not too long ago the spokesWOMAN for a "pro-family" group here in WI (Family Research Institute of WI) came out against a proposed bill that would outlaw discrimination against mothers breastfeeding in public. She took a pretty good beating over it, especially in this response column: http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/smith/index.php?ntid=119104&ntpid=32.

Brad

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-Bowen

CajunKing,
If Michael Jordan did indeed inherit the table that O J was evicted from...that kinda blows O J's Lawyers Snarky comment about suing based on racist action by Ruby!!

It was Michael Jordan, his new girl friend and about 28 others in their party.

Let's see a party of 12 or a party of 30???? no race involved there!

quote:

Originally posted by Fieldthistle

Hello All,
Now, my hair is actually longer, and I have no problem
with service. It feels good when I go out on my own or with my wife.
But I have a son that is autistic, and that is a problem for many places. We've never been
denied service, but you know when you're not truly welcomed.

Two items...I somwhow knew you were a "long haired hippie freak" (my Father's first words to me when I returned from college w/ a ponytail and a beard). You just went up a few notches.

A challenged child is often a difficult situation at resturants. My youngest has certain problems but feels comfortable at restaurants she has gone to for many many years. New places often end up w/ either my wife of I eating on the grass outside w/ Brenna. We try to make it special and most times we all eat on the grass. I was quite touched a year or so ago when almost the entire restaurant came out to picnic w/ us and celebrate the meal. My daughter was uncomfortable w/ the restaurant but relaxed sitting in the grass...along w/ thirty or so others...a wonderful moment.

I have been w/ black guys who were refused service in the deep south. Get your food at the back door...BOY...and this was in the seventies. Couldn't do a thing about it as the sheriff was sitting at the counter and we were just passing through. Being a liberal is sometimes a b***h. Funny thing was the kitchen staff was black and our meals were much better than what came to the dining room.

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641


At least you DID get the apology, though. That means a lot, the way I look at it. (even though you had to call a lawyer on it)

Let's chalk it up to IGNORANCE on their part...
a MAN probably threw you out, right?! (Or a real mean, bitter woman)

It was a woman! Though she had a security guard do her dirty work for her.

They changed their tunes real quick like when my friend (the lawyer, who nursed too lol) threatened a nurse in and calling the local news to tape it.

I do understand that the mall itself can't control who shops there and it was a customer who complained. It was their attitude that I would be perfectly willing to go into a nasty bathroom to nurse to solve their problem that prompted me to call the lawyer.

Brad_Olson, that woman is crazy! And yes, the biggest problem out there are other woman who think it shouldn't be done, covered up or not!

One post was deleted as it was a personal attack on another member. Read the posting rules and stay on the thread subject please.

Durn it... missed it again.

quote:

Originally posted by Bushie

Judging from Jeff Ruby's picture, OJ probably left because he was afraid he'd get snuffed.

Nice call, Bushie!

Nah. OJ was bounced because Ruby hadn't been getting his usual share of free publicity from the local media. So he found a news story to create for himself.

jmckee

NO, would Ruby really do that???

He is gonna have bigger probs, the first round of no smoking warning letters went out.

The 3 biggest violators of the new law

#1 Cincinnati Health Department

#2 Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse

#3 Havana Martini Club

Not bad he is two out of the top three violators. I personally thought it was toooooooo funny that the biggest violator of the new smoking ban was the Cincinnati Health Dept.