A teenager and his grandparents were kicked out of 'the UK's rudest restaurant' - after he called the waitress a 'FAT SL*G' because she branded him a 'p*ssy' for mumbling.
Jack Keith had travelled two hours to visit the Manchester branch of Karen's Diner on Friday [March 17] but they were ordered to leave after just ten minutes. Viral footage shows the in-character waitress hear the 17-year-old calling her a 'whore' under his breath as part of what appears to be the restaurant's accepted customer-vs-staff banter.
She tells him 'not to mumble it because you're a p**sy' and when he says it more clearly she hits back to say 'you can't pronunciate [sic], that's embarrassing'. However the exchange quickly turned sour when she asks his age and he quips back 'how old are you, you fat sl*g?'.
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The angry waiter immediately tells another member of staff and then returns to the table to declare 'you're out, all of you, it's in the rules. He's ruined it'. Stunned Jack and his family were forced to pay the £25 drinks bill and leave because rules given to customers upon entry tell them banter doesn't extend to 'body shaming'.
Despite admitting he's not proud of the comments, he's since hit back at the famous chain questioning why staff 'can give [abuse] but can't take it'. His mum Jane Keith, who was also at the meal, insists the 'house rules' need to be made clearer before the experience begins to avoid customers getting 'caught in the moment'.
However, Karen's Diners firmly hit back at the family and said it is 'sad that a minority of customers need reminding as to how to behave' but they have 'no choice but to cater to the minority' by putting up house rules. The diner confirmed that if 'give it but not take it' referred to 'body shaming' then the family were correct - the chain would act upon such 'unacceptable behaviour'.
The chain condemned the footage as a 'sour clip' and sarcastically said they accept the possibility that some people 'struggle to read the 'house rules' handed to them on arrival. Jack, from Ulverston, Cumbria, said: "I agree that if you can't take it don't give it. I was shocked when she told us we had to leave. We thought they'd tell us to pay for the drinks then to sit back down.
"She brought it on herself really because I wasn't going to say anything after she said about my pronunciation. I'm not going to say something then not be able to take it and start crying about it. I'd take it on the chin, have just laughed about it and say something back.
"It was just in the moment and that came to my head so I thought I'd throw that at her. I understand that they think it's against the rules. It said 'no body shaming' but I couldn't think of anything [my insult] would have come under because she wasn't fat. She was your average female build so I don't know why she took it to heart.
"We didn't have time to read the rules. They just threw them at us and it was a really loud atmosphere. There was a lot going on. Some of the insults they gave to my grandparents were pretty next-level. Karen's Diner is a crazy idea and I probably wouldn't go back."
The family left Karen's Diner without issue and chose to eat at a nearby cafe instead where they discussed the incident. Jane says a staff member threw the rules on the floor upon entry and made her pick them up before showing them to a table.
She admits they didn't read the rules and is keen emphasise the importance of making sure customers do before the experience begins. Jane said: "When you're there and you see the way they speak to you it leaves you quite shell-shocked.
"She was quite in his face and Jack doesn't like that really. He doesn't go out looking for trouble and he's quite a quiet lad. Before you sit down they should show you the rules and make you read them in front of you. They don't make it clear enough."
Jack's brother Josh Keith, who was also at the meal, posted the video on TikTok where it's been viewed more than half-a-million times.
Jack commented on his 19-year-old brother's post and said: "Please let me state that I'm not proud of this. It was just [said] in the moment and I'm not a bad person."
Social media users are split on whether the teen is out of order with his abuse or if the waitress should accept it as par for the course. One commented: "Just because they're supposed to be rude waitresses doesn't mean you can call them a fat s**g. They're still people at the end of the day."
Another agreed and said: "They take the p**s but avoid using things like that as it could genuinely hurt somebody's feelings. Hey ho lol."
A third said: "To be fair calling her a fat s**g is taking it to a whole new level." A fourth added: "How are you saying stuff like that in front of your grandparents? Some weird family."
However, one replied saying: "Because it's a joke but she's sensitive and can't take a joke." Another said: "Turns out she is actually a Karen. As if you're not allowed to say anything back."
Karen's Diner offers its 'rude' experience in more than 15 locations across the world, with six being in the UK. And a pop-up venue is coming to Bristol on several dates this year.
A spokesman for Karen's Diner said: "[In response] to the allegation that Karen’s staff can 'give it, but not take it'. If the 'Take it' referred to is simple 'body abuse', then the statement is quite correct.
"Karen's Diners will not condone seriously offensive abuse either 'given' (which can be grounds for dismissal as all our staff are obliged to work within strict behavioural guidelines) or 'take it' as we will always take every stance to protect our staff from unacceptable behaviour.
"It is sad that a minority of customers need reminding as to how to behave.
"We have no choice but to cater for this minority and accept that it is always possible that they struggle to understand how to click onto the front bar of our website ('rules'), and perhaps struggle to read the cards ('House rules') handed to them on arrival, which state specifically what we consider to be unacceptable behaviour.
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"Sadly we are unable to personally explain to every customer that calling a waitress a 'fat sl*g' is very directly 'body shaming' and that is why we hand out the House Rule cards.
"I accept that there is a distinct possibility that some people perhaps need an explanation as to the meaning of 'body shaming!' Perhaps this is what they mean when they say 'It needs to be made clearer!?'
"We spend days teaching our staff how to be rude and funny. Offending anyone is never funny. When you trawl through the thousands of video clips showing customers enjoying Karen's dining experience, it will take you some time to find other clips with content similar to the sour clip presented.
"We have loved being rude to over 50,000 people in Manchester and we thank 99% of them for being such fun."
KAREN'S DINER HOUSE RULES (as listed on the company's website)
- Karen's Diner is a unique, interactive dining experience. But in order to maintain a shred of sanity here, we have some rules.
- Breaking these rules will result in the table being asked to pay the bill and leave the venue. You will also be banned from returning to the venue.
- We want both staff and customers to feel as safe as possible in our venues.
- No racist, sexist, homophobic or ableist comments or slurs will be tolerated.
- No body shaming.
- No sexual harassment.
- Any damage or vandalism of the venue will lead to instant removal from the venue. (Charges may also apply)
- Keep your food and drink on your tables, don't throw them, its not fun.
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