Ohio Woman’s Restaurant Rant Results in Job Loss
A seemingly ordinary dining experience in Columbus, Ohio, turned controversial when a patron’s response to a restaurant’s coupon policy went viral, resulting in significant personal and professional repercussions.
Stephanie Lovins, formerly a real estate agent with a 27-year tenure at Century 21, found herself at the center of social media uproar following an incident at Cazuelas Mexican Cantina. On March 2, Lovins was informed of the restaurant’s policy allowing only one coupon per table, a policy conveyed to her by a server named Ricardo. Her dissatisfaction was captured in a note on her bill, which stated, “I hope Trump deports you.”
The message, perceived as racially insensitive, was photographed by another server and shared on Facebook, quickly gaining traction online. As a result, Lovins faced public backlash and was subsequently dismissed from her position at Century 21. A company spokesperson confirmed, “Hate has no place within the CENTURY 21 brand, and we are taking this very seriously.”
Initially, Lovins denied the allegations, claiming her credit card had been lost or stolen, a statement that was later disproved by CCTV footage showing her at the restaurant. Her social media accounts have since been deleted.
In the aftermath, a GoFundMe page was created to support Ricardo, the server, which raised over $8,800 by Wednesday. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page reportedly started for Lovins was removed from the platform.
This incident is among several recent cases where individuals have faced significant consequences for behavior perceived as discriminatory. In separate instances, a Florida man lost his job for making threats on TikTok, and a public official resigned following a controversial hand gesture at an inauguration.
For more details, visit the New York Post and Newsweek.
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