Red Lobster did a good thing!

[LJC1861]

So, Lisa and I and 10 of our friends ( all lesbian couples BTW) went to Red Lobster Saturday night to celebrate several birthdays. We were seated in their back room which had the large table for us and two smaller tables.

We were enjoying appetizers and drinks when both of the other tables were seated. Shortly afterward we noticed that we were receiving obvious stares from one of the tables...an older man, his wife and teenaged girl. A bit later his phone rings and he says loudly " I can't hear you...there is a table full of Lezzies yelling!" Several from out group turned to look at him and we kept talking and he kept trying to hear on the phone. We all decided to let his comment slide.....

The two servers serving us were wonderful and very prompt and efficient in keeping things moving along. I noticed that there was suddenly a lot of hushed whispering at that table and it involved one of our two servers. A minute later the manager came over to that table and voices were raised. Then the group got up, took their drinks and left.

Then the same thing happened at the other table which was also 3 women. They called the server over, the manager came over and as their entrees were brought to the table that group got up and left as well. We kept right on having fun. Now, we weren't being overly loud, and we were in the back room and the main restaurant was much much louder.

We proceeded to have a wonderful meal with great service from our serving duo two other tables were seated with us, without incident. When it came time for the checks to be delivered the manager came over and told us that our meal was on the house. He said that he was mortified at what the first table that moved had said and on the off chance that we had heard such talk he was comping our meal!!!! He stated that there is no place for such discrimination in his restaurant and he wanted to make sure that we were not offended in any way and would come back. Needless to say we tipped our servers handsomely and will definitely be back.

The manager said that he told the other table that if they moved they would be put on the end of a very long wait to get in and the man put up such a stink that he moved them anyway. The guest's language was very inappropriate ( I read lips and caught almost every word...LOL) and the manager was very conscious of the fact that we may have overheard and been upset as well. In all honesty only two members of our party who were sitting closest to the tirade heard anything at all and I was able to read his lips and get it all, but couldn't hear it.

I thought it was an extremely nice and generous gesture on the part of the management.

Linda

 

[isyt]

Wow. It was nice to see them step up when they really can't control their patrons. Glad you guys had a nice celebration.

 

[mickeyfan1]

That is amazing. So sad that ignorant people are still out there. And influencing their kids.

See here is what dumoleme would do. I see a table full of women and think, hey, it's nice that a group of friends are out enjoying a celebration. I think the same thing if it's a table full of men. I have no idea if it's a group of nun out of uniform or if it's the soccer moms, or if it's a group of lesbians. I don't see a table of guys as anything but that. WTH is wrong with people?

And how excellent of the manager to step up and take charge of the situation with out causing any of you any embarrassment. I would have asked the diners to please leave and not return. But that is just me.

PS, happy birthday to all those that were celebrating.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

What a neat story! I hate that your group was subjected to such ugly behavior from other patrons, but I am so pleased that the manager went above and beyond to fix it!
I have always been very fond of Red Lobster, and I am happy to hear they feel it is important to treat everyone equally!

 

[ScuttleMeTimbers]

Just when I thought intelligence and compassion were dead! What an awesome experience! Glad you didn't let them spoil your celebration, and big kudos to the manager for doing the right thing, you should call the corporate office of RL and give your compliments at the corporate level.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Good manager. I've had a couple of very nice experiences with Red Lobster management myself. One involved my DPs Mom who had some serious car trouble there and they went way out their way for her.

Another time there was something wrong with my salad and they wisked it away and offered me anything on their menu on them.

Very good.

It's really sad that people are still so filthy minded, isn't it?

My DPs Mom and her friends were at lunch recently and the server asked them if they were nuns! They all had a good laugh (one of them was a former nun)!

In a Middle Eastern restaurant a server asked a group of us (all women) how we could be having so much fun without any men. We roared!

So, all that to say I guess a group (what does consistute a group anyway) of all women having a good time does draw notice. No matter. Enjoy yourselves, and I too wish a happy birthday to those who were celebrating!

Thanks for sharing the story!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

awesome story, glad to hear it, happy birthday girls

 

[Tigger&Belle]

What great customer service from Red Lobster! Hard to believe there's still such homophobic people in the world.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Sad it had to start, but I glad the manager did the right thing.

Have you thought about sending an email to corporate to let them know?

 

[npmommie]

That is a great story to hear! I am glad to hear of this manager at Red Lobster! and shame shame on those people, what a terrible example to set for their child. and yeah, wth is up with people, I never think twice when I see a table full of celebrating women or men. geez.
I am still flabbergasted that things like this happen today. what is wrong with people?????

 

[LJC1861]

Asheville NC has a fairly large lesbian community, in fact it is often referred to as Aa-SHE-Ville, LOL.

We did all take the time to send an e-mail off to the corporate offices. I believe wholeheartedly in saying thank you and complimenting when it is due. This manager and our service team went out of their way to insure that we had a good experience. The manager said that he would much rather have our return business than the business from both of the tables that he sat in other locations.

Linda