Michael Melvin Odoemene, who is half-Nigerian and half-Filipino, shared on social media his experience of what he perceived as “racism” at a restaurant in Quezon City.
The customer said he was surprised upon receiving the receipt for the food they had eaten, as it included a note that described his appearance as “Black Jack.”
Racist Note on Customer’s Receipt Elicits Reactions
Customer Dismayed Over Racist Note on Receipt
DISCRIMINATION – A customer took to social media to express his dismay over what he perceived as racist remarks on the receipt he received from a restaurant.
Michael Melvin Odoemene, a half-Nigerian and half-Filipino, shared a concerning experience on Facebook that quickly went viral. He recounted an incident at North Park restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, where he encountered what he perceived as a racist remark on his receipt. The note described him as “the curly-haired man dressed in black, resembling Black Jack,” which he found unnecessary and discriminatory based on his racial background.
Michael’s post details how he visited the restaurant around midnight on April 30, 2024, with friends for dinner. After dining, he was shocked to see the racial comment printed on his receipt. He immediately brought the issue to the attention of the assistant manager, but was dissatisfied with the response. The manager initially refused to return the original receipt, offering excuses like it had been thrown away or was lost. However, Michael insisted on getting it back to keep as evidence, which he eventually did.
The incident left Michael feeling that the simple reprimand promised to the waitress who wrote the note was insufficient. He believes this approach does not adequately address the need for a culture of inclusivity and respect within the establishment. This prompted him to post about his experience publicly, aiming to raise awareness against racism and judgments against strangers, particularly customers. He expressed concern about how often such judgments might be silently endorsed within the service industry.
In an exclusive interview with Balita, Michael mentioned he is considering legal action against the restaurant, seeking advice from lawyers. His story has sparked a significant reaction on social media, with many supporting his call for accountability and urging him to pursue the issue with the restaurant’s top management. Meanwhile, the restaurant has yet to respond officially to the incident. Michael hopes that sharing his experience will highlight the importance of respecting all customers and prevent similar incidents in the future.
