Life
Rude diner complains about special needs worker so pizza shop hangs the perfect sign
The restaurant owner clapped back by putting a sign on the door for everyone to see.
Cherie Gozon
03.17.23

Kindness always wins, no matter how many rude people would try to ruin that.

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Unsplash - Kelli McClintock
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In a world where we often hear about conflict and disrespect all the time, itโ€™s easy to lose hope.

But despite all the dark days, we know that a bit of kindness always wins and will create a ripple towards others to do the same.

Thatโ€™s exactly what Pizza Innโ€™s owner did when people disrespected her staff.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

Amanda Cartagine treats her staff like family and, as their โ€œmatriarch,โ€ she feels it is her role to protect them, especially when customers are disrespectful and rude.

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When a customer complained about her staff with special needs, she knew she had to step up.

That customer asked one of the staff to refill the salad bowl, but he didnโ€™t do as asked.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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The customer called the managerโ€™s attention to complain, but he did not get the response he had hoped for.

The manager explained that the staff he called, Ryan Mosley, has Down Syndrome, and while he works in the restaurant, that wasnโ€™t his role by the salad bar and that he was trained for something else.

Irked, the customer said that the restaurant should put a sign outside to make customers aware.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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Aware of what exactly? Weโ€™re not sure, but Amanda got angry when she learned about this.

She said she treats her staff like her children, and she felt compelled to protect them.

So, she thought of doing exactly what the customer suggested as retaliation, but she wanted to do it kindly but still get the message across.

This was the sign by her door: โ€œWe are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and hire ALL of Godโ€™s children.โ€

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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A perfect clap back, isnโ€™t it? Amanda was and is proud to welcome people of all colors, backgrounds, and walks of life as part of her team.

She said 63% of her kitchen staff have special needs, and she ensured to encourage them to reach their full potential despite their limitations.

She told WYFF News 4:

โ€œIf you have the patience to let them take their time and learn at their pace, when the light bulb comes on, they are unstoppable.โ€

Angie Mosley, Ryanโ€™s mother, was disappointed when she heard about the complaint but was glad Amanda stood up for her son.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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She shared how Ryan loved having a job and seeing money in his bank account from his paycheck, which he planned to buy his video games.

Only a few establishments welcome and employ people with special needs in their workplace, so it was disheartening to hear customers complaining about it.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

She added that itโ€™s always been a challenge for them as parents of children with special needs to try and let people understand that they are just as capable as anyone.

Every barrier or stigma they break is an achievement, like how Ryan got his job at Pizza Inn.

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As for losing customers? Amanda doesnโ€™t mind losing that one.

YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4
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YouTube Screenshot - WYFF News 4

โ€œIf he is not OK with that, then Iโ€™m OK with him not coming back. Thatโ€™s a dollar that I donโ€™t need,โ€ she said.

Watch the video below, learn about Amandaโ€™s kindness, and let it resonate in you!

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