Minneapolis restaurants ask: Would you please use gender-neutral pronouns when addressing the staff?

citypages.com ^ | November 8, 2017 | Emily Cassel

[lowbridge]

It’s why, at Powderhorn’s May Day Cafe, a small sign taped to the counter bears a polite request: “The May Day Cafe asks that you use gender-neutral language when addressing its employees. Thank you.” A similar note, modeled after May Day’s, went up next to the cash register at Taco Cat’s Midtown Global Market stall in September: “Please use gender-neutral language when addressing our staff. Thanks for being a pal.”

“I think gendered language is pretty integrated in restaurant culture,” says Taco Cat co-owner Tristan Jimerson. “I’ve been working in restaurants for a long time, and sir-ing and ma’am-ing people, that’s just how you’re taught.”

For Jimerson, who in interviews asks potential hires their preferred pronouns right after asking their name, it just made sense to extend that same courtesy to customer interactions. Following May Day’s lead, the bike delivery taco joint became one of the newest practitioners of this emerging language movement in the service industry.

That movement got its start in the Twin Cities at Cafe SouthSide. More a community gathering hub than just somewhere to hunker down and suck up the free WiFi, the Powderhorn cafe was a place of radical hospitality, one that actively welcomed LGBTQ+ customers and served as a safe space for trans and non-binary folks. Co-owners Roxanne Anderson and Anna Mayer intentionally created that trans-friendly environment—it was always as connected to their mission as brewing coffee or selling sandwiches.

[ameribbean expat]

Used to take my grandfather out for breakfast on Sundays. Always had to get the same waitress, a redhead, and while she was pouring the coffee he’d ask “How ya doin’ Toots?”.

[I want the USA back]

Or maybe I’ll go in and ask what the f*ck is a gender-neutral pronoun? (flips around in grammar book. Oh, then I have to use IT or THING.)
Hey, thing! would you bring some more coffee! Oh, and please tell it over there that I would like some dessert.
Also, tell the cook that it did a good job cooking the capon. I’ll just call you “gelding.”

[Scrambler Bob]

Hey, You...

[teletech]

I’d do them one better. I would take my business elsewhere.GENDER NEUTRAL THIS!!

[HamiltonJay]

Eff No... my relationship with pronouns doesn’t change because of your mental illness

[Nifster]

I don’t refer to the waiters at any restaurant by any gender pronoun anyway

[Rastus]

“he”, “she” or “it” ... my call to make.

There’s a song that says, “You can be any way that you want to be. How I’ll be, that’s up to me.” I think it must suck to be a liberal and find out you can’t control everyone.

[TigersEye]

I’d be happy to. As I turn and leave I’ll say “So long, aholes!”

[Lou L]

This policy guarantees (though I could be wrong) they will have servers who are not warm, friendly or gracious.

Although not stated as a primary goal, the erosion of civility as a result of political correctness is clearly an outcome. If you were on the waitstaff, why would you tolerate this treatment?

[Oatka]

I'd be nervous if this thing served me - you don't know what it has handled.

[Pilated]

Don’t worry I would never frequent your establishment if it was the last one on earth. No I will not use your language style, mine is just fine.

[MortMan]

“Okay. Goodbye!”

[Zeneta]

Don’t Let It Bring You Down

It’s only Castles Burning

Find someone that’s turning

and you will come around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7letrMf_nE

[Dr. Sivana]

This policy guarantees (though I could be wrong) they will have servers who are not warm, friendly or gracious.

I know that good waitresses put aside their problems and I really appreciate warmth and a pleasant demeanor when I am in the middle of a busy work day and take lunch on my own, on my terms.

There is something very relaxing about a sweet waitress with a pleasant smile that enhances the whole dining experience. (I do NOT mean in a sexual way. It could be a 60 year old grandma or a gawky teenager with acne.) I'll tip guys who provide good service, too, but a pleasant woman who does her job well makes the whole dining experience better, and can even help set the tone for the rest of the day. If restaurant-wide policies change the environment, it attracts some customers and repels others. (Same goes for choice of muzak and availability of WIFI)

[outofsalt]

Let me get this straight (pun intended).
A transgender person is not happy being what they were born as. Let’s assume that was female and now they are male, but they will be upset to be called sir? Aren’t they trying to be thought of as, “sir” or even mister or dude?
Of course, the pictures at the link are freaks which I believe is a gender neutral term.

[windsorknot]

I won’t have to be concerned about it because I wouldn’t stop in even if the restaurant were right across the street.

[gov_bean_ counter]

How about Good Bye. Is that gender neutral enough for you???

[PhiloBedo]

Yep!

[Batman11]

“Can you tell “it” I’ll have another cup of coffee?”

In college my then girlfriend, who was working the concession stand at a basketball game, was approached by a black man who said: “Yo, gi me a hot dog bitts!” She proceeded to let him know she was not his bitts! Loved that girl!

So, I would just say: “Gi me another cup o coffee bitts!”

[cincinnati65]

If you require that of me, a customer, then, I’ll just find another place to eat.