U.K. Restaurant Defends Autistic Waiter After A Table Shuns Him – Grenache Urges Customers With Such Attitude ‘To Stay Away’


Grenache, a restaurant in U.K., strongly defended an autistic waiter after one of the tables shunned him. The restaurant’s strong rebuke to such customers on social media sites has gone viral, with the online community applauding the establishment’s passion to stand by its staff.

A restaurant in the United Kingdom is getting a lot of praise for defending a staff member, who suffers from autism. After displaying their support to their staff, the restaurant turned to social media to post a message, confirming their commitment towards their qualified and courteous staff. In a general response to all those who might think of disrespecting or degrading anyone who suffers a manageable physical condition.

“We do not discriminate!”

The restaurant owner rushed to the defense of one of his waiters after some customers said they did not want to be served by him because he was autistic, reported The Independent. The restaurant’s owner, Mike Jennings, took to Facebook after being “horrified” at the way a table of customers treated one of his staff member just because he was autistic.

Jennings owns and operates Grenache in Walkden, Manchester. He said he was “astonished” when a table of customers shunned one of his waiters, identified as Andy Foster. Andy, 45, has been diagnosed with autism.

While Andy manages his autism well, he is a registered caregiver to his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. He juggles his time between taking care of his aging mother and working at the restaurant to ensure the family is has some financial liquidity. He had joined the restaurant three weeks ago, and has been an excellent employee, confirmed Jennings.

https://www.facebook.com/Resultcare/photos/a.279091828955232.1073741828.150990988431984/480882228776190/?type=3

However, one of the tables Andy was serving had a problem with his condition. Apparently, the customers asked not to be served by an autistic staff member. One of the customers even asked Jennings why he would employ him in such a restaurant.

“The customers seemed to have a problem with him, even though his service was good. I explained that he suffered from autism and their response was that they didn’t want to be served by him. They asked me why I would give him a job in a restaurant like ours. I couldn’t believe it.”

Completely shocked by the attitude of the customers, Jennings took to the restaurant’s Facebook account to ask anyone with a similar attitude not to book a table there, reported Manchester Evening News. He confirmed that he and his partner, Karen, were so upset about the customer’s behavior that they felt they “had to make a stand” in defense of their staff member.

https://www.facebook.com/grenacherestaurant/posts/1078876725510619:0

Jennings posted his views about the issue with absolute clarity. He has asked anyone with a similar attitude to avoid the restaurant, reported Unilad. Andy was diagnosed with autism seven years ago and has become accustomed to such treatment, but his current’s owner’s stand has been a confidence booster,

“I try not to take it personally because it has happened so many times in the past I have just got used to it. I’ve been in this situation a few times in the past on a reasonably regular basis and I’ve always felt that it was my fault and I needed to apologize. And with Karen’s and Mike’s support they have shown me that that is not the case. Mike and Kaz have been so supportive saying it’s not my fault. I shouldn’t be treated different to any other member of staff.”

Jennings noted that discrimination is a curse and no one should be allowed to judge a person based on their condition.

“In our eyes nobody should be discriminated in any industry and we feel that sometimes you’re served by people and you have no idea anything about that person. You shouldn’t have the right to judge that person or treat them any differently.”

Grenache’s stance is refreshing in comparison to some other restaurant employment situations, reported Eater.

[Photo by Fred Dufour/Getty Images]

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