I was accused of being racist?

Question

and it hurt a lot. I work in a hotel and we were full tonight. An older black couple came in at 4am and asked if we had any rooms. We didn't and I knew that without having to look it up on the computer because I do all of the paperwork for the hotel. Anyways I apologized and explained that we are the only hotel this far west in Omaha and without missing a beat they said they were going to call a lawyer and he would be calling us in the morning because we discriminate. And then they walked out. I for one enjoy making money so I wouldn't turn away any paying customer unless it looked like they were wasted and they were going to trash the place, so why would they just jump to the conclusion that I was discriminating? Is there a mentality that midwest men are racist or something? Our part of town is not predominately white, in fact there are blacks and latinos that work here at the hotel too and I have never come experienced this kind of situation before. What do you think?

Answer 1

They only assumed that, because you didn't bother to check to see if there were any rooms available. They didn't know you already knew that there weren't any rooms left. Simple misunderstanding.

EDIT: By reading some of these comments, it's clear how most of you people are racist! Every black person doesn't scream racism, whenever something doesn't go right.

Answer 2

Well, maybe they experienced the condition where they deal with racist so they suspicious to everyone, white people in particular. I dont think you should be worry, it just misunderstanding. but they really call a lawyer, without strong evidence, a smart lawyer know there's no case. and if they hire a stupid lawyer, you could show them the proof that you said the truth when you tell this couple the hotel is full, and as an addition, your co-worker who happen to be blacks or latinos can testify that you're not a racist

Answer 3

They were being racist, it may have been a misunderstanding but what they did was mean and insulting to you.

They seem to be making racism into a joke. People doing things like this gives people who truly are being discriminated because of their race a bad name.

Hire a lawyer and just tell the truth. You'll do fine. I live in the Uk but I've been to the states. Why is race such an issue over there? The uk has a higher percentage of caucasians than the US but there is less emphasis on race in general.

Answer 4

Just as there are some white people who ARE racist, there are some black people (as well as people from other nationalities) who assume any white person that doesn't give them what they want is racist.

However, I think that telling them you were booked without at least looking at the computer (even if you knew this was the case) could come across as you simply dismissing them because you don't want to serve them.

For future reference, the more tactful way to handle that kind of situation would be to start by saying something like "We're pretty full tonight. I'll check the computer, but I don't think we have anything available".

If you book up frequently, it would also be a good customer service move to have the numbers of some near by bed and breakfasts that might have rooms or at least the number for the nearest motels. Anything you can do to make it look like you are honestly trying to help will make them more likely to come back to you next time.

Answer 5

Have you ever heard of the song "everyones a little bit racist?" if not go to youtube and type that in the search menu itll give you a laugh...other than that...I think the older you get the more insecure you feel..I know my grandma is 60 she is puetro rican she looks black and people mistaken her for a hawaiian. (we do live in hawaii btw) and everytime she sees someone staring at her she thinks automatically that someone hates her cause she is black...and I get sad at the fact that she thinks that but its in peoples mind.
I think people in general tend to make jokes that are "racist" and not realize how bad it can hurt when they dont even realize it was racist until they think about what they have said.
A lot of locals in hawaii are racist...I say this because I was born and raised on this island of oahu and the last time I went to the beach (I am white can mistaken for a mainlander) someone threw food at me from their car and said "stupid haole (white person in hawaiian) go back to the mother f'er mainland" and I was mad cause I was raised here. I think people need to realize that this is 2007...everyone should respect one another and just cause you didnt have any rooms open tell them to relax its their fault for not booking a room a day or two in advance! people need to have plans incase something goes wrong! lol sorry but the racist topic I get into when people talk about it. anyways...If they do send you to court...have someone at the hotel print a copy of the time the couple came in and show proof that the rooms were not leased. :) good luck and dont feel bad that they called you a racist....just ignore cause you know the truth that you are not a racist. :) take it easy!

Answer 6

I don't think you were being racist, but more importantly, deep down, neither do you. So let them call a lawyer. They were just grumpy and tired, it was not personal. Next time, you can diffuse the situation away from yourself by offering to get the manager. If you are the manager, give them the number to corporate and encourage them to let corporate know that they need to make a set number of rooms available for walk in customers. I personally think you handled the situation alright.

Answer 7

I live in the midwest now, but am from Mississippi! You just met the militant side of some people tonight! I don't see it as racist, if you do the night auditing and know what's what! But, and I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt, they were probably very tired and cranky from driving! Let it roll off your back like water off a duck! And hope that there's no militant black lawyer still stuck in the civil rights era in his/her head to give your company grief!

Answer 8

sorry to hear that.I I was acuuse being racsist bc I asked to check a recipt when a couple was walking out the door
with a huge object

I think some people do it bc they are just jerk and get mad when they dont get thier way other just have a victom mentality
and thinkthat people are out to get them.I seen people all of races use the race card when it has nothing to do with the
cicustance which is bad bc it delute the time when people are really discriamated agaist

If you didnt do anything wrong I would worry.I hope you told your boss what happened after they left.If not you should let mangament know ASAP to protect yourself.I doubt
they will call a lawer Most of the time people just make
empty threat to frighten or make people mad but you never know..Just let your boss know ad let him handle it bc he is
trained and paid to handle issues like this

Answer 9

Sounds to me like you did everything right customer service wise - I think these people are bluffing and are just generally angry with the world - I know it can be hurtful to be accused of something you didnt do but try to brush it off - even if they did take it further they wouldnt win as you could provide all paperwork showing the hotel was in fact full

Answer 10

I have found in my lifetime, and this is only my opinion, that there is just as many (if not more) racist black people than white. I grew up in Georgia, there is a lot of racism there. It goes both ways. The man was probably irritated and perhaps a bit racist himself and he jumped to conclusions and did not hold his feelings away. I doubt anything will come of this. I would just let it go. Some people just enjoy making a scene also.