What, in your opinion, are offenses worthy of a firing for a waitress? Making out in the cooler? Calling a customer's child the Antichrist? Underwhelming flair? Apparently, some misguided manager out there thinks that not wearing makeup is a fireable offense, because that's how Shenoa Vild got fired from her serving gig.Click here to keep reading...
Vild worked at a Trophy's restaurant in Mission Valley, San Diego, for five flippin' years when new management bought the place and started requiring waitresses to wear makeup in an effort to class up the joint. (Because nothing says classy like pancake makeup and six coats of mascara.) Well, Shenoa's not a big fan of makeup and said no. Whoopsies! Management asked her to take her natural, glowing complexion elsewhere.
Since it is technically legal to fire an employee for not wearing makeup (we hope the same holds true for men), so Shenoa had no recourse for retaliation. (She's since found another gig with less offensive management.)
May we suggest that the next time you're in San Diego, you dine someplace where people don't get fired for liking the way they look -- and oh, their civil rights.
The Most Annoying Customers
The Very Important Person
Some charmers can't even take 30 seconds to place an order without taking a cell phone call. "I can't say how many times I want to take that phone and drop it in their water glass," says Steve Dublanica of waiterrant.net and writer of the best-selling book: "Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip -- Confessions of a Cynical Waiter."
Brian Indrelunas, Flickr
The Finger-Snapper
Let's get one thing straight: A server is not the same thing as a servant. The immediate neediness the act displays alone is enough. "Don't make your waitress run around like you're the only people in the restaurant!" says "Bitter" of bitterwaitress.com. Ali of ev-boulevard.blogspot.com has even had customers whistle to get her attention.
CarbonNYC, Flickr
The Mind Readee
The person who is ready to order but continues to read the menu and is annoyed when it takes the waitress longer to check in. This is the same person who is likely to be offended if you check in on them too soon.
radiospike photography, Flickr
The Square Peg
Strict vegans who are angry when a steakhouse can't accommodate them are barking up the wrong tree. "Let's put the shoe on the other foot," Dublanica says. "I walk into a vegan restaurant and I say I want a porterhouse." Doesn't work so much, does it?
ckpicker, Flickr
The Caste-Off
This snob blatantly talks down to their waiter or waitress or becomes aggressive when something is wrong. "Seriously, getting on like someone has just shat in your lap isn't going to make the waiter move with any greater urgency," says Manuel of welldonefillet.blogspot.com. If it's a bad idea to bite the hand that feeds you, it's equally dumb to insult the hand that brings you the plate.
MBIMOTMOG, Flickr
The Dieter
It's one thing to be a picky eater, but put the brakes on unreasonable requests. Greens instead of the side of roast parsnips? Probably fine. But the chef can't magically extract the cream and olive oil from the alfredo sauce that was pre-made for the night.
malias, Flickr
The Potlucker
Customers who bring their own food really shouldn't even be called customers. As one Insane Waiter (allprowaiter.blogspot.com) blogger states, "A customer spends money." You don't go to a boutique to try on your own clothes, so don't go to cafe to eat your tuna fish sandwich. There are park benches just begging for your company.
dannybirchall, Flickr
The Breeder
Kids can be cute, but pair noisy or rambunctious ones with oblivious parents and you've got a recipe for angry patrons. Especially when it's a Saturday night. The restaurant is rife with people who are hoping to get laid later -- they don't need have the mood killed by a screaming, sauce-smeared reminder of the consequences.
wakkysweet, Flickr
The Delicate Flower
We feel sorry for people who have terrible allergies, but not when they fail to communicate that fact until after the food has been served. "Don't say, 'I'm allergic to pine nuts,' after you start eating the pesto," says Dublanica.
justpat, Flickr
The Lingerer
Catching up with your friends? Fun. Sitting around long after you've finished, even though it's the height of the dinner rush? Jerk move. "If there's no one in the restaurant and you're making goo-goo eyes at your boyfriend, that's fine," says Dublanica. But if there's a wait at the door, you're keeping others from their meal and your server from her next chance to make money.
Becca Bandit, Flickr
13 Things to Do Before You Quit
Daring Summer Makeup Trends (in case you do wear the stuff)
Cool Waitresses Who Blog
Why You Should Quit if Your Boss is a Creep












Comments:
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Friday 22 May
By Kathy
Are you kidding me???? I can't beleive you can be fired for not wearing make up. Men aren't required to wear make up. This is truly discrimination!!!
Reply
Friday 22 May
By MrDoughnut
Many supervisors are either ignorant of the law or they pretend to be but either way their still guilty as there is no excuse for ignorance of the law. The assume the reponsibility to follow the law when they take the position they have taken. The woman should just file Equal Opportunity charges with the EOC an she can do that Online. She'll win hands down an the boss may be half way out the door by the time the judge makes his decision.
Reply
Friday 22 May
By cat1864
While the employer has certain rights (within limits) to require employees to conform to certain standards, sometimes I think they really need to think about what it is that they want.
What was this young lady's work ethic, were her customers happy with the service that she gave them, any complaints, etc.? Did they keep wait staff that put on make-up but were poor performers and had stacks of complaints?
On a side note, since she doesn't wear make-up normally, on her taxes could she deduct the expense as "business related" ?
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Charlotte
Makeup, if applied tastefully, can help bring forth a happy, pleasant face. It is sad that men seem to look OK without it, but this may be due to shaving. That takes away dead skin and the skin is constantly replenishing itself. This may be why most men have a better color. MOST women do not shave and their skin can take on a sullen look. I always feel better when I look in the mirror and I have a little color. It affects my whole day. When I look at myself without makeup, I look pale and drab. I hate to have a server ,or anyone else help me with stringy hair and no makeup. Tasteful makeup, that is a clean face, a little coverup, blush and tinted lipgloss. can make or break a sale. Come on, real women wear makeup, that is tastefully applied. Tell her to get off her but, put on some makeup, and go apply for her old position
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Brenda Dishon
It absolutely should be a requirement that women wear make-up and that they have a descent hairdo and have clean, ironed clothing. I have worked in places where women have come in looking like they just crawled out of bed. If they have no pride in their appearance it reflects badly on them and the business. They should care enough about themselves to try to look good even if they aren't at work.
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Ken
What a crook of crap.. she's just beautiful without makeup.. I always say "If your beautiful you don't need makeup, but if you need help use it", and she doesn't need it. That's why we all need to get Union's involved in all our workplace. If she had a Union they wouldn't have done this to her. Union unite the workers and server's and hotel workers need to be United alongside with all the other workers.
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Michael
This is no ground for any legal action in regards to what was reported and has no relation to men or women. In this case, the business sold. There was a new regulation made or rule in that to improve their appearance or bring up the appearance of the female employees then that is that. If the employees were advised in writing besides verbal, had been warned and the employee refused, then since virtually 100% of employees today are hired "at will", then the woman deserves termination. It has nothing to do with sexual discrimination. It is normal for women to wear some form of makeup. It is the exception when a woman does not when going out or working in public. Still, those commenting here in this case are wrong. She was advised, refused and got what she was told would be the result. She had the choice, she made the choice and thus terminated her own employment by her own will. Period ! Now we have to find a way to fire Obummer since he is so corrupt, but all the media are sucking off him as well as the stupid country. Obummer belongs in jail........between what is going on at and with GE and Acorn, he should be in jail.
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Ken
Your as stupid as her employer.. Have you not read or heard of discrimination? This is a true discrimination action if she takes it to court.. If she had a Union, this bullshit would have never happened, the grievance would be won in a matter of days. Union have to get involved in the workplace, and President Obama hopeful will make it happen sooner then latter.
Friday 22 May
By simons9876
Michael - you are just plain wrong - and that is that -- most women do NOT wear makeup - and as for improving their appearance ???? next you will want them to get botox and tummy tucks - and breast implants -- you are sick
Friday 22 May
By russelhammond
With a name like TROPHY should we be surprised that it is superficial. do the guys have to wear make-up??
I like wearing make-up, doing the girly thing, BUT as my choice. Not because I am being told to!! that takes the fun out of it.
does clown make-up count? LOL
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Naomi
For all of the non locals reading this story, the establishment's full name is
Trophy's Sports Grill......What's so superficial about that? And no one should be terminated for refusing to wear makeup.
Friday 22 May
By dennis m.hassett
a woman comes in looking for a job all fixed up and pretty and now she doesn't what to look pretty, let her go. see what kind of job she will get when she doesn't put any make up on.
Reply
Friday 22 May
By michelle
To those of you who say it's the owners decision...give me a break! If it was the owners decision to fire you because he/she didn't like the way you look or the way you dress, I'll bet you'd be the first person complaining. No employer should have the right to fire someone based on their make-up. That is akin to firing an employee because they don't like the colour of their shoes. If it's not in her employment contract to wear make-up, or a certain colour of shoes, it's her personal preference, no the employers decision.
Reply
Friday 22 May
By MrDoughnut
Unless there is a real good reason to be forced to wear makeup like to block glare from a TV camera Mr big shot can be taken to the cleaners and then some. Perhaps he'll need makeup when somebody clocks him in the county jail?
Reply
Friday 22 May
By surfca2
To all those who are blathering about lawsuits.....the US Court of Appeal has already ruled this LEGAL years ago.
It is NOT discriminatory because there are appearance standards for males and females and they are enforced equally.
I guess some of you think that the Hooters chain should be forced to hire 500 lb behemoths too huh?
Reply
Friday 22 May
By simons9876
well surfca, you're a real sweetheart,m I can tell - 500 lb behemoths? - male or female? -- send us a photo of yourself
Friday 22 May
By simons9876
you're nuts too - bet you are a partner in that restaurant
Reply
Friday 22 May
By Lara
It is the right of the business owner to require certain things relating to dress and grooming of their employees in order to portray the business in the light intended. If the employee doesn't like it, or isn't able to comply for some reason (preference, allergies, cost, whatever) then it's time to move on. When that employee has busted his or her butt to become a business owner, then he/she can make the rules.
Reply
Friday 22 May
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Friday 22 May
By OneDollarBill
For those saying the business should provide you ladies makeup give me a break. I don't expect my employer to provide me with razors and shaving cream. Nor do I expect them to pay for my dry cleaning to keep my work clothes looking their best. My employee handbook specifies that I come to work clean shaven and my clothes me pressed and in clean condition. These are the terms of employment. If I choose not to met those terms and the business and warned me and/or asked me to comply then the business is fully with in their legal right to terminate my employment.
The simple fact remain the business makes the rules. if you choose not to follow them they will replace you with someone who will.
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