Racist note left instead of a tip at Kentucky Applebee’s

RADCLIFF, KY (WAVE) - A Hardin County waitress said instead of a tip, a customer left her a racist message.

Written on the back of a paper napkin was a handwritten note that read, “We don’t tip black people.”

“You took the time to write a note, ‘We don’t tip black people’ -- but you couldn’t take a second to say hello or thank you?” Regina Boone, the server’s mother said.

Boone said her daughter, Jasmine Brewer, waited on a party of four at the Radcliff Applebee’s in mid-September. Afterward, the two men and two women departed, leaving only the handwritten note and no tip.

Boone, who is also a teacher and president of the Hardin County Education Association, posted a picture of the hateful words to Facebook with a passionate message saying in part, “You think racism does not exist, IT DOES!”

The post has been shared hundreds of times, receiving hundreds of supportive comments.

The social media outrage prompted some people to send Jasmine the tip she should have received that night. Her mother said supporters have given her $175.

“What it says is there’s good in this world,” Boone said. “Not everyone believes there’s racism. Not everyone sees color as the first thing they see when they meet someone.”

A spokesman for Applebee’s released this statement Monday:

“All restaurant team members deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The remarks directed at one of our franchisee’s employees are unacceptable and inconsistent with Applebee’s values as a brand.”

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