Just like working with the IRS was the most diverse, I have found that fast food has been–relatively speaking–the most supportive when it comes to people making fools of themselves and expecting employees to comply. So many white-collar bosses and employees have gotten into the bad habit of saying that people are required to just “put up with” a certain level of nonsense. This happens for many reasons, but mainly because not only are some people just toxic but because they have no leadership skills despite being given that responsibility. Only in fast food has bigoted behavior been shut down immediately without hesitation, and this is why collectives of “poor people” are generally more effective than those of the “elites.”
There was an unhoused individual who came into the restaurant, and I generally do not care about someone else’s circumstances, so I was aware without being overly watchful. As I was trying to clean up the dining area, the person proceeded to order a lot of food, and make a mess, while eventually taking over two tables. The evening manager had been aware of this individual coming in before, but like me, had been fine if a bit watchful because of the lack of respect for the surroundings. However, at one point the customer ordered again, and instead of going back to wait for the food, the customer proceeded to lean over the counter where the crew was working, even though there was food dripping down the front of the individual. I asked the customer to respect our space, but the individual refused to take, “No” for an answer, which put all of us on alert.
I happened to be working the next time this individual decided to come in, and I was more assertive about demanding that our space be respected. The individual said, “No, because this is America, not whatever backward country you’re from.” My puzzlement was obvious, and I stated that the individual needed to back off, and they stated, “Bullshit, or I’m getting my money back!” I needed the manager to offer a refund, so I was unable to call off the customer, but then the manager said, “Then let’s get you a refund, and get out of here, and don’t come back.” The customer was shocked, called us all psychotic, and immediately left. All the other managers were informed about this individual, and he is no longer invited back to our location.
So many times in my life when surrounded my people who call themselves “progressive liberals,” people have tried to gaslight me into submission when managing bigots. There has never been anyone who told classmates or colleagues to knock off the bullying, even when I worked for the IRS. The only antiracist bosses I have continue to be fast food managers, because I have no evidence that anyone else knows that their staff will eventually be harassed and need to be respected.
Chasing A Dying Empire 