Some of the fine dining restaurants require their customers to follow their specific dress code.
For casual restaurants, however, people generally wear whatever they want to.
One restaurant called the Kabuto Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been getting attention not because of its food, but because of this controversial sign.
Even though this particular sign has been up for almost three years, it only recently began to garner a lot of reaction from people when the original sign was replaced with a larger version.
The sign reads:
Take your hood down.
Pull your pants up.
Finish your phone conversation.
Marijuana smell not allowed.
We will be glad to assist you.
When interviewed, the restaurant owner, Martin Tanaka, said that he’s simply looking out for his diners.
“Our regular customers are families, and we count on a lot of small children to come to this restaurant,” said Tanaka.
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Since the restaurant serves hibachi-style food, Tanaka added that this kind of dress code is a must. With customers sometimes sharing the table with strangers, Tanaka believed that everyone should be dressed in the way that doesn’t make others uncomfortable.
Tanaka thinks that such dress code would ensure mutual respect, which would allow everyone to be satisfied with the restaurant experience.
He also said, ” I believe our society is lacking on respect, and I think we’re falling behind on it.”
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And, apparently, the response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.
But, some people are concerned.
In fact, according to the local news media WSOTV, one customer who asked not to be named said that “it looks like they are trying to say something about some kind of race.”
However, Tanaka denies that the sign is racially motivated. He argues that he turns away anyone who doesn’t follow the rules – regardless of their race.
He also stated that he doesn’t automatically kick out customers who don’t follow the rules. Rather, Tanaka says that he gives them a second chance to abide by the rules.
However, if they refuse to do so, then Tanaka politely asks them to leave.
Still, some people who read the sign says that it could have been worded a little bit more carefully.
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What do you think of the sign?
Does it bother you?