Tucson, AZ – Rachel, the poised and calm Chick-Fil-A drive-thru worker who was abused by the so-called Chick-Fil-A bully Adam Smith, has forgiven the man for his tirade that went viral on YouTube. Smith followed up by filming an apology video.  Adam Smith wound up getting fired from his job with a local medical device manufacturer, however, as a result of his rude behavior at the drive-thru window.

In an interview with the Fox News Channel, Rachel (who prefers not to release her last name) described her feelings about the incident in which she never lost her composure:

“I do forgive Adam Smith. I think he realizes how bad of a decision it was to make that tape. And I feel really sorry for him and his family and everything that has happened to him since Wednesday …”

“I was glad that he came forward and made a statement because what happened was — when he came to the drive-thru — wasn’t so much about Chick-fil-A but about how one human being should treat another and being in the hospitality industry you deal with difficult customers on a daily basis. And he’s definitely not the first I’ve encountered, but the first that chose to video tape the interaction.”

Rachel added, “I really hope that America will forgive you and treat you with the respect that I chose to treat you with that day.”

Chick-Fil-A’s Rachel also said that she is willing to meet with Smith in person now after rebuffing his initial attempt to apologize in person. “I’d really like to know if he could separate the issue from me and the company,” she said. “The workers have nothing to do with the political beliefs with people in the corporation. I don’t want to be part of that puzzle.”

Despite the national publicity, Rachel describes herself as just a service worker doing her job. Watch Rachel’s first nationally televised interview on Fox about her encounter with Adam Smith:

Rachel Forgives Chick-Fil-A Bully Adam Smith [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Adam Smith, the man who has come to be known as the “Chick-fil-A bully,” has issued an apology to Rachel, the drive thru worker who was on the receiving end of his tirade. Smith posted the apology video on YouTube, Friday evening, August 3, 2012. In the 7 minute 48 second long video, Smith apologizes directly to Rachel and also tries to explain his actions.

Wiping a tear from his eye, Smith addresses Rachel by name, as he begins, “Rachel, I am so very sorry for the way I spoke to you on Wednesday. You handled my frustrating rant with such dignity and composure. Every time I watch the video I’m blown away by, really the beauty in what you did, in your kindness and your patience with me.”

The video continues as Smith tries to explain his actions, “You should know that I never planned to say the things I said to you that day, and how I said them. I planned to peacefully participate in the August 1st YouTube post where Jackson Pearce asked people to simply order a large water to show support for the gay community. But when I got to your window, after seeing all the people in and outside the restaurant that came to support Chick-fil-A, I lost it.”

He then elaborates further and once again takes an opportunity to attack Rachel’s employer, Chick-fil-A, “I just lost it. I couldn’t believe the number of people came out to support a corporation that associates themselves with anti-gay groups, like Exodus International and the American Family Association. And how did I lose it? By making you listen to my frustration and disgust. It wasn’t right, and for that I am so sorry.

While seeming to momentarily forget that he is supposed to be apologizing to Rachel, Smith begins to explain his purpose in making the original video, “When I first thought about participating in this protest, I was really excited. I felt purpose in standing up against Chick-fil-A’s funding of anti-human rights groups. I felt like it was the right thing to do — the human thing to do. After recording the conversation, my enthusiasm in standing up against Chick-fil-A was very high, and in that moment, I decided to post the video. For me, and at that moment, the main goal of supporting the gay community outweighed the collateral damage that Rachel became. And I literally just saw Rachel as collateral damage.”

In the original video that led to his firing,  Smith concluded his rant with a rather obnoxious statement about his own sexuality, “Have a good day… I’m a nice guy by the way, and I’m totally heterosexual.. not a gay [unintelligible] in me, I just can’t stand the hate, you know? It’s gotta stop, guys. Stand up.”

Many viewers were offended and puzzled by Smith’s need to affirm his own straightness, while making a video claiming to support gay rights. He tries to explain why he felt it was so important tell Rachel his sexual preference,’No, I’m not in the closet as many comics suggested, but if I were, I’d be very proud to be. The reason why I said that I wasn’t gay was because I wanted to convey that you don’t have to be gay to be for gay rights. Just because someone is different than me, doesn’t mean that I can’t have empathy on their unique struggles. You don’t have to be gay to want to help the gay community. That’s a stigma, I’m trying to stop that.”

Unlike Smith’s original video, which received almost 500,000 views, his apology video on YouTube has only received 2547 views since it was posted on Friday. The new video has received 25 likes and 279 dislikes. If we are to judge by the viewer comments, people are just not buying Smith’s apology. One YouTube user, PantyCrickets, spoke for many, when they posted response to Smith’s new video, “How does someone who can make such a monumentally stupid decision get a job like the one he had? i feel worse for this guy’s family, friends and neighbors……this wasn’t an apology, either.”

The public will form its own opinions about Adam Smith’s attempt to apologize to Rachel, but it does seem that the man is still basically clueless about the whole situation. Several comments have been made that suggest that when someone wants to apologize, they should simply do just that, instead of adding a long winded justification of their behavior. What do you think? Is Adam Smith sincere in his apology or is he just trying to reduce the criticism of his actions, while justifying his rude behavior?

Adam Smith AKA The Chick-fil-A Bully Apologizes to Rachel is a post from: The Inquisitr

Adam Smith, who has become known across America as the Chick-fil-A bully, has been fired from his job at Vante in Tuscon, Arizona. Mr. Smith was the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Tuscon based, medical device manufacturer. The company reacted quickly to Smith’s conduct, which they stated did not reflect corporate values. After Smith’s firing, Vante issued the following press release on Thursday evening, August 2, 2012:

“Vante regrets the unfortunate events that transpired yesterday in Tucson between our former CFO/Treasurer Adam Smith and an employee at Chick-fil-A. Effective immediately, Mr. Smith is no longer an employee of our company.”

“The actions of Mr. Smith do not reflect our corporate values in any manner. Vante is an equal opportunity company with a diverse workforce, which holds diverse opinions. We respect the right of our employees and all Americans to hold and express their personal opinions, however, we also expect our company officers to behave in a manner commensurate with their position and in a respectful fashion that conveys these values of civility with others.”

“We hope that the general population does not hold Mr. Smith’s actions against Vante and its employees.”

On Thursday, August 2, Smith posted his self made video on YouTube. In the video, he mercilessly bullied a polite, young, drive-through window attendant named Rachel, at a local, Tuscon area Chick-fil-A.  Smith starts the video before he even arrives at the window. He brags to the camera how he will ask for a free water, while denigrating Chick-fil-A. He then drives up, after complaining about the long lines, and asks for his free water. He launches into a tirade against the company and criticizes the incredibly patient and polite young woman for working at the fast food restaurant. In one particularly offensive and smug comment, Smith demands of the worker, “”I don’t know how you live with yourself and work here. I don’t understand it. This is a horrible corporation with horrible values. You deserve better.”
 
 
Here is a transcript of the conversation between Smith and the young woman:
 
Smith: “You know why I’m getting my free water, right?”
Worker: “No.”
S: “Because Chick-fil-A is a hateful corporation.”
W: “I disagree. We don’t treat any of our customers differently..”
S: “I know, but the corporation gives money to hate groups. Hate groups. Just because people want to kiss another guy.”
W: “I’m staying neutral on this subject… my personal beliefs don’t belong in the workplace.”
S: “Yeah I believe that too, I don’t believe corporations should be giving money to hateful groups.. I’ll take my water”
W: “I’m really uncomfortable that you’re videotaping this..”
W: “It’s my pleasure to serve you, always.”
S: “Oh of course, I’m glad that I can take a little bit of money from Chick-fil-A, and maybe less money to hate groups.”
W: “Well we’re always happy to serve all our guests.”
S: “I don’t know how you live with yourself and work here. I don’t understand it. This is a horrible corporation with horrible values. You deserve better.”
W: “I hope you have a really nice day, and..”
S: “I will, I just did something really good, I feel purposeful, thank you so much.”
S: “Have a good day… I’m a nice guy by the way, and I’m totally heterosexual.. not a gay [unintelligible] in me, I just can’t stand the hate, you know? It’s gotta stop, guys. Stand up.”
 
 
The video (see footnote) has gone viral on YouTube and it has been viewed 437,362 times as of 6:30 PM CST Friday. The video has received 587 likes and 8767 dislikes, which means that 94% of the viewers disapprove of the video. The viewer comments, which come from supporters of traditional marriage and from supporters of Gay marriage, reflect a non-partisan rejection of Mr. Smith and his abusive attitude. Reports on the incident were also picked up by the television and print media, which led to a substantial national backlash against Mr.Smith’s behavior.

Yesterday. when Smith had Rachel about ready to burst into tears, he came across like a stereotypical, big shot executive, who is impressed with his own position. He showed no respect for another person’s need to take whatever job may be available, so they can pay the rent and put food on the table. Perhaps, now that Smith is unemployed, he will have a bit more respect for anyone who works long hours for low wages. He might even consider applying for a hands on job making chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-A.
 
 
Update 8:30 PM CST:

We continue our earlier report on Adam Smith, the man known as the Chick-fil-A bully. Smith, who lost his job for posting a self made video on Youtube, in which he verbally attacked a Chick-fil-A worker named Rachel, has apparently reached out to Mike Opelka at the Blaze to give his side of the story.

Smith has made several statements about the incident, his firing and his current personal situation.

He claims he was not allowed to properly explain his conduct prior to being fired.

He claims his family is receiving death threats and vulgar, threatening emails.

He claims that his home address was made public and he was forced to leave his home as a result. He stressed that he is a married, father of 4, with 2 adopted, special needs children.

Inquisitr will continue to update as new information becomes available.
 
 
Footnote: There are 2 versions of the video on YouTube. Totals are based on adding the 2 together.

Chick-Fil-A Bully Fired From His Job is a post from: The Inquisitr

UPDATE – Business Insider has verified that Chick-Fil-A  free water customer Adam Smith has been fired from his position as the CFO and treasurer of Vante, a medical supplies manufacturer. A press release from Vante notes the actions of Smith do not reflect their company’s corporate values, which include respecting diverse opinions. The Vante press release about Adam Smith goes on to state that employees are expected to behave “in a manner commensurate with their position and in a respectful fashion that conveys these values of civility to others.” The Vante press release about the “Chick-Fil-A video concluded by stating the company hopes the “general population” does not hold Smith’s action against the medical supply manufacturer.

A man being dubbed the “Chick-Fil-A Bully” shot a cell phone video of himself waiting in line for a free water and chastising a young woman who had the misfortune of becoming an unwitting participant in a one of the day’s top watched YouTube videos. The video creator is allegedly named Adam Smith,  and has now pulled the Chick-Fil-A “bullying” video, but copies quickly sprang but up online, Liberty News reports.

The Chick-Fil-A video begins as the amateur videographer waits in line for a free water, making fun of other customers in the long line, noting they must think “breakfast tastes better when it is filled with hate.” The Chick-Fil-A video commentary also notes the man’s excitement at getting his free water and sharing his opinion with the restaurant drive-thru window worker – before going to join what he hopes is a “sit in” by college students forming nearby.

The drive-thru worker, with a name tag that reads, Rachel, remains polite throughout the encounter with the man behind the cell phone camera, which was reportedly not visible. After asking if she knows why he waited in line for a free water he proceeds to tell her how horrible her company is and informs her she should not work there.

Rachel, the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru window employee calmly lets the free water customer know the restaurant “does not treat anyone differently” and offers several other kind statements which may have been her own thoughts or a response suggested by management. Rachel also notes she needs to stay neutral on the subject and does not feel her personal beliefs belong in the workplace.

Before pulling away with his free water, the Chick-Fil-A drive-thru “bully” tells the young employee he does not know how she can live with herself and work there. The Chick-Fil-A “bully” does tell Rachel she deserves better than working at the restaurant and emphatically notes several times that he is both a nice guy and heterosexual.

Chick-Fil-A ‘Bully’ Chastises Young Woman Working Drive Thru Window is a post from: The Inquisitr