YOURSAY 'This is a wake-up call for all public places to educate their staff on special needs for the disabled.'

Pizza Hut admits mistake, apologises to PJ councillor

Ferdtan: Some blamed Petaling Jaya councillor Anthony Thanasayan for being arrogant in demanding his rights when they knew nothing of the whole situation.

Even if he was loud (assumingly), what has happened to the cliché "Customer is always right?" The Pizza Hut management did mention at all of his ‘unbecoming' behaviour (if any) and yet there are some people here passing judgement on him.

Without proof, to throw aspersions on him based on surmise is cruel. You often find many such anonymous people texting sick and cruel messages blaming the murdered victims and their families of impropriety.

Overall, this episode reminds us that we should be sensitive to people with special needs.

My Opinion: Pizza Hut should be smart enough to immediately pacify this noise-maker with an apology and a few discount vouchers. Otherwise he will make this petty issue into some kind of a political agenda.

Anonymous #039163649: This is not a petty issue, it is human cruelty of the highest kind.

Oldman57: Simple, change your diet and eat more local food. After all, what so great about some Italian food made in Malaysia. Why pay so much to be abused?

Anonymous #039163649: There is nothing wrong with Italian food, and nothing basically wrong with Pizza Hut too, just the heartless low-class staff in that particular outlet.

Just as security companies are asked to vet their guards before hiring them, Pizza Hut too should ensure that the barbaric sort are not selected as staff. They must select staff with decorum, civilised and with a touch of humanity in them.

Devsingh74: It's sad to see this type of attitude is so prevalent in Malaysia. Clearly, compassion, equal rights and morals are not embedded in our way of life.

I have no disabilities, but try living as a disabled person for a week and your outlook will change. Often, unless one is affected personally or through family or friends, this sort of attitude continues.

My Opinion: Devsingh74 and Anonymous#69304074, if you have read my comments elsewhere, you will find I call for a law to create facilities for the disabled. However, I also remind those disabled not to think that they are there to be served.

Their disability is not a privilege and there is no need to whine about it. For your information, I was born with very bad eyesight. Hence, I didn't received the right education in my foundation years.

My family was poor and I never studied full-time in a university. No scholarship, no qualification. But I studied by myself while working full-time - all the way from 'A' level to PhD.

I gave free tuition to the orphans in shelter homes. So, if you are handicapped, don't whine.

2zzzxxx: As a wheelchair bound customer, you are in the minority which means you are dispensable. If it weren't for the publicity Thanasayan got, do you think Pizza Hut would even be bothered?

Disabled people are badly treated in this country at all levels. Look at parking lots reserved for the disabled, this is always abused by the able-bodied.

Anonymous #30879322: The Pizza Hut outlet manager, as in most cases, does not know his job, and under this circumstance, sided with his rude staff.

It only requires a little common sense to deal with a situation like that. A little understanding and compassion is all that is required, which, of course is lacking in this human being.

Justice Pao: The damage is already done when Pizza Hut tried to lie and wiggle its way out. The waitresses and the outlet manager should be reprimanded immediately and apologise.

We must not support this type of establishment ever again. No more Pizza Hut for me and my family and I will be asking my relatives and friends never to go to Pizza Hut in Malaysia.

Bianca Lee: This is a wake-up call for all public places, not just Pizza Hut, in ensuring that policies are in place for the disabled and to educate their staff on special needs for the disabled.

On the other hand, our government has never placed emphasis on making life easier for the disabled in this country. They spent billions of ringgit on big infrastructure projects 'for the benefit of the people' but when it comes to the disabled, they ignore their basic needs.

Headhunter: Sometimes it's not the policies that's the cause of misunderstanding. It's more to do with dumb, rude and downright lazy waiters and management staff.

And it reflects very badly on the company itself. Some businesses just don't deserve success. They don't even train their staff on basic discipline like being polite and humble when serving customers.

How often do waiters and waitresses or salesperson say thank you to you even though you say thank you to them? These days, one is more likely to find them more interested in texting on their mobile phones than serving customers.

We all have bad experience with them. It's so much different from western countries, Japan and South Korea, where politeness is demanded and not just a routine.

MfM: It's not just Pizza Hut, many restaurants and fast food chains don't cater for the disabled.

Having endured temporary disability myself and being bound to a wheelchair, I understand exactly what it's like.

The problem isn't limited to restaurants, the worst offenders are hotels and resorts and these are so-called five-star hotels and resorts. No wheelchair access whatsoever.

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