See how far we've moved from our old Colonialist ways?
Liam Send a noteboard - 26/04/2010 03:14:37 AM
A swanky hotel is being sued for believing the customer is always right, even when the customer makes racist demands.
A British family checking into a Florida hotel demanded they be served by whites only, a federal lawsuit filed this week claims -- and the hotel allegedly agreed to meet their bigoted demands, the News-Press reports.
When the Morgan family checked into The Ritz-Carlton in Naples on Feb. 28, the lawsuit charges a note was put in the hotel's computer that "this couple is very, very prejudice," the newspaper reports, and refused to be served by people of color or with a foreign accent.
Two weeks later, Wadner Tranchant, a Haitian-American waiter and 15-year employee of the hotel, claimed his supervisors forbade him from serving the Morgans. He's now suing the Ritz-Carlton chain and an executive at the Naples establishment for more than $75,000.
The hotel's vice president and director, Edward Staros, the executive named in the lawsuit, is regarded as an ethics authority within the company, the News-Press reports.
"That’s one of his main jobs," Sherie Brezina, director of Florida Gulf Coast University's Hospitality Management program, told the newspaper. She added that he often travels to other hotels to help employees address such matters.
"The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company does not tolerate discrimination from our employees or our guests," a spokeswoman for Ritz-Carlton told the News-Press. She declined to discuss the lawsuit with the newspaper, saying to do so would violate the company's policy on discussing pending litigation
LMAO. They demanded they not be served by people of color, or anyone with an accent? They are friggin British! they are the ones with the accent in this country! and technically wouldnt any white person who is American have an American accent? the ritz should have said that they cant accommodate them because everyone in the hotel has an American accent or something along those lines. although the Haitian waiter is being ridiculous claiming he had to get medical help to deal with his treatment, he still has a point. Shame on the Ritz Carlton for not telling that family they couldnt be accommodated, and they should find another hotel. How do some people even have the nerve to demand such things in this day and age. I don't want any blacks, or Jews, or people with accents replying to this post.
A British family checking into a Florida hotel demanded they be served by whites only, a federal lawsuit filed this week claims -- and the hotel allegedly agreed to meet their bigoted demands, the News-Press reports.
When the Morgan family checked into The Ritz-Carlton in Naples on Feb. 28, the lawsuit charges a note was put in the hotel's computer that "this couple is very, very prejudice," the newspaper reports, and refused to be served by people of color or with a foreign accent.
Two weeks later, Wadner Tranchant, a Haitian-American waiter and 15-year employee of the hotel, claimed his supervisors forbade him from serving the Morgans. He's now suing the Ritz-Carlton chain and an executive at the Naples establishment for more than $75,000.
The hotel's vice president and director, Edward Staros, the executive named in the lawsuit, is regarded as an ethics authority within the company, the News-Press reports.
"That’s one of his main jobs," Sherie Brezina, director of Florida Gulf Coast University's Hospitality Management program, told the newspaper. She added that he often travels to other hotels to help employees address such matters.
"The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company does not tolerate discrimination from our employees or our guests," a spokeswoman for Ritz-Carlton told the News-Press. She declined to discuss the lawsuit with the newspaper, saying to do so would violate the company's policy on discussing pending litigation
LMAO. They demanded they not be served by people of color, or anyone with an accent? They are friggin British! they are the ones with the accent in this country! and technically wouldnt any white person who is American have an American accent? the ritz should have said that they cant accommodate them because everyone in the hotel has an American accent or something along those lines. although the Haitian waiter is being ridiculous claiming he had to get medical help to deal with his treatment, he still has a point. Shame on the Ritz Carlton for not telling that family they couldnt be accommodated, and they should find another hotel. How do some people even have the nerve to demand such things in this day and age. I don't want any blacks, or Jews, or people with accents replying to this post.
In the old days any decent Brit would have expected those serving them to be anything but white. Progress!
All joking aside, this is just really very bizarre behaviour from all parties involved. Saddening.
---
Oh, how simply grand it is to be travelling by dirigible again. Direct us to the west good sir, tonight we will remember what it is to live.
Oh, how simply grand it is to be travelling by dirigible again. Direct us to the west good sir, tonight we will remember what it is to live.
British family tells US hotel they 'do not want to deal with black staff'
- 26/04/2010 12:35:55 AM
1435 Views
They should've told them to take a hike, but the claim for 75k disgusts me too.
- 26/04/2010 12:48:45 AM
678 Views
yeah seriously
- 26/04/2010 01:13:54 AM
680 Views
What sort of tips do you think a racist would give a black waiter?
- 26/04/2010 04:45:15 AM
914 Views
Nonsense. The hotel should refuse to do so, and people who disagree can go elsewhere.
- 26/04/2010 05:03:22 AM
712 Views
I think 75k is fine
- 26/04/2010 08:25:51 AM
701 Views
This is a good point. And it's unlikely he'll be continuing to work there, so... *NM*
- 26/04/2010 08:46:30 AM
273 Views
I disagree. Those ridiculous claims are a major problem in America.
- 26/04/2010 10:31:46 AM
695 Views
I would agree if he was demanding a million or 200k. *NM*
- 26/04/2010 05:46:53 PM
263 Views
Why is 75k all right, but 200k not? Where do you draw the line, and why? *NM*
- 26/04/2010 05:48:18 PM
273 Views
The line is arbitrary, I agree. Yet Legolas was against the mere idea of financial recompense
- 26/04/2010 11:41:52 PM
648 Views
See how far we've moved from our old Colonialist ways?
- 26/04/2010 03:14:37 AM
651 Views
So you support the right of a hotel to deny lodgings or service to a black person?
- 26/04/2010 04:35:04 AM
881 Views
say what?
- 26/04/2010 05:16:52 AM
784 Views
Re: say what?
- 26/04/2010 06:09:48 AM
627 Views
if thats the case, then they can go to hell
- 26/04/2010 06:12:21 AM
635 Views
Yes, I'm sure the press will pull out all the stops
- 26/04/2010 06:33:48 AM
666 Views
If it isn't a money issue, I'd go - this shows how far they will accomodate their guests.
- 26/04/2010 11:25:46 AM
667 Views
But it's the same principle - kicking someone out for something you don't like about them.
- 26/04/2010 11:34:55 AM
820 Views
Re: So you support the right of a hotel to deny lodgings or service to a black person?
- 26/04/2010 04:12:57 PM
784 Views
"Sorry, but you'll have to leave. We don't let people with really bad teeth stay here." 
*NM*
- 26/04/2010 05:47:00 AM
269 Views
*NM*
- 26/04/2010 05:47:00 AM
269 Views
Have any of you stayed at a Ritz-Carlton?
- 26/04/2010 06:09:25 PM
831 Views
