In a bizarre twist of events, a restaurant in Vancouver is finding itself at the center of a human rights hearing, all due to a dispute over high chairs. The establishment, known as Earls Kitchen and Bar, is being sued by a father named Mark Thompson, who claims he experienced discrimination when dining out with his one-year-old child.
Mark alleges that during two separate visits to different Earls locations, he was informed that high chairs were not available. According to court documents obtained by a local news outlet, he was told that providing high chairs was not part of their policy. Frustrated, Mark decided to take this matter to the courts, arguing that the restaurant’s lack of high chairs discriminated against families with young children.
In response, representatives from Earls have refuted the claim, stating that there is no official policy against providing high chairs. Cate Johnson, a spokesperson for the restaurant chain, explained that while many locations are equipped with high chairs and booster seats, some do not offer them due to the specific clientele in those areas. “Requests for high chairs at certain locations are uncommon,” Johnson clarified.
Moreover, Earls claims they offered Mark a spacious booth so he could comfortably manage his child. Mark, however, reportedly declined the offer, suggesting that it would be “stressful” and “less enjoyable” for him. Let’s face it—bringing a one-year-old to a restaurant is a challenge in itself, regardless of the accommodations.
While it’s understandable that parents expect certain amenities, especially if they are available at other locations, labeling this situation as discrimination seems a stretch. Restaurants have the right to decide what they can provide, and if a particular establishment doesn’t meet your needs, it’s best to simply choose another place to eat.
Parenting comes with its own set of hurdles, and it’s tough when some venues can’t cater to our specific requirements. But let’s be real—high chairs are handy, but they aren’t a human right.
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In summary, while it’s frustrating when restaurants don’t meet our expectations, pursuing legal action for something like high chair availability seems excessive. Let’s focus on finding solutions that work for our families without resorting to the courtroom.
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