Fast-food fury over service
A POPULAR fast-food restaurant in Far North Queensland has been forced to deny claims of racism after an online rant which went viral.
Cairns woman Cassandra Pajor said while she was entering the McDonald’s store after a night out with friends, she was approached by a small group of indigenous girls, who asked her if she could buy them some ice creams.
What followed next made her “blood boil”, she said.
“My Saturday night started with dinner and drinks in town celebrating a mate’s 21st and I ended it with a cheeseburger and a taxi,” the mum-of-two said.
“So when a small group (of girls) asked if I’d get them some ice creams, I happily obliged.
“These girls were well dressed, wearing shoes and were not lurking, smoking, drinking, jeering or presenting in a way that would insinuate they were up to mischief,” she said.
“They look like they’d just finished at the movies and wanted something to eat.”
Ms Pajor said the girls ex- plained they had been told by McDonald’s staff that under-18s could not be served after 10pm.
“So off I went, across the street to the get some ice cream cones and my cheeseburger.”
While Ms Pajor was waiting for her order, she said she watched staff serve another group of teenagers, who then sat at a table in the restaurant “in clear sight” of a staff member.
“No one had produced ID or had been asked their age,” she said. “I approached the table, and had a confused exchange with them. Yes, the group were 16 and 17 years of age, dressed casually as though they’d been to movies or the beach (and) no, they were not asked for ID. This was a double standard.”
When she asked one of the indigenous girls to try to order an ice cream cone to “test the theory”, Ms Pajor said the girl was refused service.
McDonald’s licensee Christine Vincent said she welcomed everyone into her restaurants and there was no policy to refuse service to anyone late at night, regardless of age or cultural background, unless they were displaying bad behaviour.
“I’ve owned and operated restaurants in Cairns for almost 15 years and we welcome everyone in our local community,” Ms Vincent said.
“We have no such policy, and I am very proud to employ people of all ethnicities and backgrounds.
“I don’t tolerate racism in my restaurants and I’d love to speak with this customer directly to allow me to look in to this further. When necessary, in co-operation with local police, we will deny service to people exhibiting anti-social behaviour, or being disruptive to other customers – this is regardless of their age or background.”