I WAS RECENTLY pulled aside and asked to write an article on the following incident and the bigger issue. Very recently, a prominent Barbadian and local celebrity accosted a waitress at one of the most reputable hotels by asking her: “What kind of negro are you?” This occurred after he thought his order was taking too long to process.
I stood in shock as I heard the entire story. When I asked what was the response of the waitress, I was told: “Nothing. The guest is always right.”
According to Jay Z: “How we still slaves in 2016?” The guest is not always right. I have heard stories of guests spitting on or slapping employees and employees being told that they have to report the incident to management as management would deal with the matter. In most instances, management does nothing. The great Lord in heaven knows why I do not work directly in the tourism industry.
I know for a fact that nobody could call me a negro, spit on me, shout at me like a dog or slap me and I simply report it to management. You see this mentality of selling our souls just for the sake of a dollar or to say we are providing great service? I am not here for it.
Great service is not staying mum on these types of matters. Bad behaviour should never be rewarded. People cannot continue to believe that this kind of behaviour is acceptable because they are spending a particular amount of money.
A drunken man always reveals the truth
Many of the stories I have heard, the excuse is either “but he or she was drunk” or “she was having a rough day”. Being drunk is not an excuse for any adult. In many instances, when persons are intoxicated, you hear their true sentiments on a matter. I recall being told a story about a young woman being slapped in her face. The storyteller sought my sympathy for the employer. However, I was sympathetic toward to employee’s face.
I would like Barbados to establish a certain level of service. I too, find that we can most certainly improve on our customer service offerings. The lazy attitudes and “you are bothering me” mannerisms when dealing with representatives of companies must cease. Very often, when faced with this behaviour many of us are forced to either offer some level of positivity to the person or some of us get so annoyed that we frustratingly respond by saying: “Wuh nobody ain tell you accept this job!”
We have to take pride in the work that we do every day. If you are cleaning toilets, be the best toilet cleaner. If you are a Government Minister, be the best Government Minister. Take pride in what you wake up to do.
That said, what I do not want for us is that we think that it is acceptable to be treated like less than a human being just for the “almighty dollar”. Whether you are white, black, brown, purple or blue, do not settle for anybody treating you below a certain level. As Iyanla Vanzant highlighted, anytime you allow someone to treat you in a way that makes you feel like less than a human being, you are making that person a thief.
I want us all to demand better for ourselves, especially if we are giving our best selves to a situation.
I do believe in forgiveness and as a result the names of the persons in this article will never be divulged, so please do not write or call to ask me. The offenders must, after reading this article, be given a chance to learn from their actions.
Toni Thorne is a young entrepreneur and World Economic Forum Global Shaper who loves global youth culture, a great debate and living in paradise.
Email: Tonithorne@hotmail.com