This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Blacks receive poor service due to racial discrimination
I felt slighted, but I wasn’t upset. I politely asked if they could please take my order, and they finally did (several minutes later, even though they weren’t busy), and with less enthusiasm than energy, they gave the two white males.
Like what?
Why Does My Skin Color Affect The Service I Receive?
According to theconversation.com, when Black diners get poorer service from wait staff and bartenders than white customers, it’s more likely because of racial bias [..].
The color of my skin, my gender, and my appearance should never affect the service I receive. And it definitely should not determine if I receive service before or after two white males, but in this case, it did.
No, I wasn’t rushing to receive my food, but neither were they, and they only ordered drinks!
It’s difficult not to presume there was a lack of respect for my customer experience versus the white males. Do you agree or disagree?
Why Am I Seated In The Back More Often?
There have been other moments when I visited restaurants, and the service I received was sketchy.
I’ve even experienced moments where I was on the way to being seated all the way in the back of the restaurant or a less attractive location before I let them know that wouldn’t work for me and recommended a better seating location.
Do people realize they do this or are they completely ignorant of it? Some people don’t realize it due to unconscious bias, but many do.
It is not my job to educate people on this but to share my experience so that fewer of these moments happen to other black individuals without awareness of what is happening.
Why Am I Vigilantly Observed When I Shop?
I would feel more comfortable being vigilantly watched if everyone else in the store was experiencing the same level of observation, but that’s often not the case – especially in smaller stores.
How can we eliminate the stigma that not all black people are thieves, dangerous, or criminals? Any person can be a thief. Blacks are regular people who often have the means to buy things.
How I Tackle These Poor Experiences
I usually don’t call people out for poor service, but I don’t become anyone’s doormat either. If I am a paying or non-paying customer, treat me with respect. I always tip the recommended percentage and often more for good service.
Assertive and respectful kindness is often how I tackle these poor experiences, but if it is blatant disrespect, I will have a quick conversation or some feedback to offer you.
Society can’t continually treat black people like sh*t. We are human beings. We deserve the same service that any white person is likely to receive.
Share your experiences with poor or exceptional service in the past. It’s good to hear about the bad, but it’s also critical to hear about the good to ensure we progress as a society.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.