SERVICE: Red Hen's red herring

Should we be concerned about the food served if we eat out?

We have gays in our families and have been a part of the industry for years. We owned two restaurants, and the gay couple who worked for me back 25 years ago, were personable, creative and smart. That said, I would never have asked their opinion as to serving or not serving a customer. We had certain rules already in place for customers we would not serve: no shoes, drunk, profanity.

The Red Hen made a dangerous management decision, and the gay workers based their judgment on emotions, not the owner, responsible for the success of the restaurant. Here’s my concern: What if the next manager doesn’t respect the staff’s demands or even ask their help in deciding if someone is to leave? Does that mean the gays have a right to take it upon themselves and make a judgment call? Their only course of action would be to provide bad service or, God forbid, alter the food being served.

The restaurant industry has to condemn the Red Hen aggressively and make a strong statement to prevent this from going any further.

PHIL COLOZZI

Post Falls