Waiter Refuses to Serve Customer Who Insults Boy with Down Syndrome

Michael Garcia, a waiter at the Houston restaurant Laurenzo’s Prime Rib, refused to serve a customer who had just insulted a 5-year-old boy with Down syndrome.  Milo Castillo, the boy, and his parents were dining at the restaurant when a few of the waiters came to his table to chat with the young boy.  Milo, who has a speech impediment, told the waiters some of his new words he’d learn.  The chatter apparently displeased a fellow customer who reportedly said: “Special needs children need to be special somewhere else.” 

Upon hearing those comments Garcia told the rude customer: “I’m not going to be able to serve you, Sir.  How could you say that?  How could you say that about a beautiful 5-year-old angel?” The waiter was willing to risk his job because he couldn’t serve this customer who lacked compassion.

Milo’s mother took to her blog to describe the event.  She says:

“Was he loud? Maybe a little in the moment, but honestly, the adults at our table were three times louder than he was…If he had been obnoxious, which like any other 5-year-old he can be, I wouldn’t have thought twice about the family asking to move.”

This poses the question.  Should the waiter have said anything to the customer?  I think the customer was very rude.  The owner of the restaurant however should be the one telling the customer that either someone else would serve him or ask him to leave the restaurant.  I think that would have been more appropriate and professional.  However, I will say that sometimes you can’t really control your emotions.

What do you think?

Should the waiter or the owner spoken to the rude customer?

Or do you think nothing should have been said because the customer hadn’t directly spoken to the family?

Email: realtalkdebate2012@gmail.com

Twitter: @adrakontaidis & @talkrealdebate