When French Flair Meets Vancouver’s Hot Service Rules
Guillaume Rey, a waiter from Hainan, Canada, recently found himself in a heated debate after getting let go from a Vancouver restaurant. He claims he was fired because the spat was less about the food and more than about his French temperament.
The Classic Accusation
The restaurant, owned by Cara Operations, grounded the dismissal on three words that most folks would imagine associated with a disgruntled hotel room: aggressive, rude, and disrespectful. According to their records, the waiter did not meet the expected code of conduct, a claim bolstered by verbal and written warnings.
Rey’s Counterpoint
His response? “Yep, I’m French. It’s just that French culture tends to be more direct and expressive.” He argues that his candor, which French hospitality training instilled, accidentally ticked the wrong boxes in the eyes of the management.
- French Directness: Honesty with no sugarcoating.
- Expressive Service: Bold gestures that can appear overwhelming.
- Professional Personality: A bit too lively in the kitchen.
Did Rey Really Lose His Job?
Both sides agree that Guillaume’s performance in terms of service quality was solid. The problem, as far as the restaurant sees it, was the perceived style of his interactions, not his ability to serve food.
The Tribunal’s Role
British Columbia’s Human Rights Tribunal reviewed the case. A tribunal member, Devyn Cousineau, denied the restaurant’s attempt to dismiss the complaint, allowing the matter to move forward into a yet-unset hearing.
In the decision, Cousineau warned that the denial was not a waiver of the case’s outcome. She left a clear message to the waiter: “You will have to explain what it is about your French heritage that might lead people to misinterpret your behavior as a violation of our workplace standards.”
What’s Next?
The story is still unfolding. If Rey can convince a panel that his “French personal vibe” isn’t a crime and that the restaurant’s expectations were a mismatch, he might regain his footing—or at least keep his French pride intact. Meanwhile, the restaurant might learn to polish its cultural compass or start putting up missingbaggage signs for all the travelers it’s serving.
