The Customer Is Not Always Right
FUCKING BITCH.
Profanity thrown around on a regular basis, meant to demean, humiliate and undermine women. Words that intimate and harass. Words we’ve all been accustomed to hearing.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a modern day Wonder Woman in U.S. politics, was on the receiving end of this verbal assault last week. Misogynist Republican Ted Yoho (who is also both a father and husband) uttered these words on Capitol Hill in front of reporters, as if to punctuate his confrontation with the Congresswoman.
She later addressed this incident on the House floor. “I have encountered men uttering the same words as Mr. Yoho while I was working in restaurants. I have tossed men out of bars that have used language like Mr. Yoho’s… this is not new. And that is the problem.”
We couldn’t agree more. It’s definitely not new to women of recreation, tourism and hospitality. In fact, 94% of our followers indicated they have had this language directed at them at work. In our industry, women are subject to venomous degradation by clients, customers and colleagues on a regular basis. In many cases, it’s permitted. Ask any woman who has worn the apron required of a bartender or cook.
It’s time to take a stand as an industry and call this behaviour out. Every single time. We must shift our perspectives on what we’ve been conditioned to accept. The customer is not always right. Your regulars are not more important than your employees. Channel the strength of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and literally toss abusive guests out of your establishment. You should be empowered to deny service to verbally abusive patrons, or even call the police. Lastly, forget the suggestion that the culture at your work is like ‘one big happy family’. If this language is directed to you or others by your co-workers, you must report it to leadership immediately.
We work in a female-dominated industry, full of women who are fed up. We may love providing hospitality, but we demand at the very least that our guests and colleagues are hospitable.