Image Credit: Screengrab of incident at Richmond McDonald’s

By Mel Rothenburger

Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Fast-food workers need our understanding during COVID

May 12, 2021 | 4:23 AM

FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS are tough places to work these days.

One would think we’d have worked out our angst over mask wearing by now. Yet incidents of confrontation occur every day between employees and customers.

There was, for example, the video this week of a man berating and belittling staff at a Richmond McDonald’s. He first refused their request that he adjust his mask, then unleashed a series of F-bombs, demanding his food and finally stalking out — but not before dumping a cup of coffee on the floor.

That sort of thing is not unusual during this pandemic. Recently, there was a confrontation between pro- and anti-mask customers at a Burnaby outlet. In another incident, a customer walked behind the counter and snatched off the mask of an employee.

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Sometimes, ugly racist taunts and even assaults come into play.

McDonald’s isn’t alone. Other hamburger places, pizza takeout restaurants and coffee shops have likewise been subjected to such behaviour. And we all know about retail stores having the same problem.

The employees subjected to such disgraceful mistreatment deserve better. They’re often earning some money after school, or after their career has finished up, or need an extra income to support their families.

But some people think it’s OK to disrespect them, to ruin their day when all they’re trying to do is go by the rules, and that’s not right. Let’s not forget they’re frontline workers at risk of COVID themselves, as one Kamloops McDonald’s employee sadly discovered.

How often have you seen a drive-thru customer wear a mask even though they’re just a couple of feet from the window? Hardly ever. No respect.

There’s another side to it, of course — stores are sometimes over-zealous, refusing customers even if they have valid reasons for not masking.

So there’s fault on both sides but most of the problem is with the customers. As Rodney King once said, “Can we all get along?”

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.