I will summarize my side of the story here, while I await reply from White Castle Systems, Inc. of Saint Louis.
On Sunday, June 5, 2011 when temperatures in Saint Louis were breaking 100 year-old records, I witnessed an act of inhumanity at the White Caste at Devonshire and Kingshighway. A young man I met at a bus stop, who identified himself as a homeless vet told me he had asked for a cup of ice water at the White Castle. He was denied the water unless he would make a purchase. To comply, he asked someone in the drive-through, if they were making a purchase, would they get him a cup of ice water. Happy to help, the drive-through customer stopped on their way out of the driveway to pass a cup of water to the young man. Immediately, thereafter, an employee of the Castle ran to the middle of the parking lot and told him to leave. I spoke up and told her she was wrong. She responded to me with the words: “Mind your own business.” I told her, I was minding my business, the business of looking after my fellow human being. Prior to her running out yell, first at the young man, and then at me, I had planned to take him inside to buy him a meal. I told her that was my intent, but that I had certainly changed my mind after witnessing her degrading and inhumane response to the young man. She then proceeded to mock me by holding her hands up by her face and motioning a quack of a duck (the universal sign of “yackity yack”).
I reported this incident on Twitter and got many responses from followers who were abhorred by the employee’s abominable behavior. I vowed to contact the corporate offices in Saint Louis early on Monday morning (the day of this post) and to report my findings. I spoke to a District Manager whose response did not satisfy me. So I called back and spoke to the Area Manager. Also, not satisfying. Though both assured me they would investigate the matter. Both also assured me of the many good things White Castle does for our community, etc. I inquired about a written policy regarding treatment of citizens asking for water. I was told by the District Manager, they did not have one. I was told that many customers complain about people begging in the parking lots of WC and that at times, customers have told them they won’t be back. I told them both that if the actions of this employee represented White Castle “policy”, I would not be back. I was also told that some of these beggars are trouble makers and must be removed from the restaurant. In conclusion (for now) I was assured by both the District Manager and the Area Manager that I would receive a follow-up phone call regarding the incident.
In the meantime, gentle readers, I would ask that if you are bothered by the decision of the Castle employee to scold, degrade and inhumanely treat a fellow citizen, that you let your voice be heard. If you would rather put up with begging than denying a man a cup of cold water, please call or tweet. The local number for White Castle Systems is: 314-535-7430. Please ask for either Brad or Benita (sp?) and let them know what you think. You can also tweet them at @WhiteCastle. Thanks for your civic participation on behalf of a fellow human being.
Peace,
Mike Baldwin
314-974-7432
Saint Louis, MO
