In all the years of being a student and later, an employee of Boise State University, this Jacksons gas station has been the destination for overworked employees looking for a chance to get some hot coffee along with some delicious snack foods to get us through our day. Not only is it convenient, but we have always had a great time interacting with the staff, whom a majority of the time express professionalism and respect, as all service employees should do.
However, one morning stop at this gas station effectively ended my common visits to this particular stop.
One morning my coworkers and I went inside for our daily ritual of morning coffee, smokes, and donuts. It was a typical day, and were greeted by the manager Curt, who always amuses us with politicial opinions and other news of the day. Normally I try to avoid expressing my political opinions to avoid any fights, but we all felt we could have a decent debate with Curt without fear of offending or causing a fight.
This particular morning, I was the last in our small group to check out with my coffee and he started giving his poltiical opinions. I disagreed, but I accepted that he was entitled to his opinion, as everyone else is entitled to. He was also a Air Force veteran, and I have tremendous respect for all active and former members of our military and civilians who choose to protect and serve this great nation.
All of a sudden Curt says, "It's people like you that want this country to fall into socialism." Feeling a bit perturbed, I answered back saying that I did not believe that we were heading in that direction. He then asks me if I served in the military, to which I replied that I have not.
His response was something to the effect of, "Oh, right that's what I thought. It's Jews like you that always like to live off of others."
Stunned at such a shocking comment, and trying to hold back tremendous anger, I replied with, "All right, that is your opinion. It is also my opinion that you have just lost a customer," and proceeded out the door for the last time.
It is one thing for one to state their opinions, but it is another thing to bring hate speech into the mix. I am not Jewish, but I have friends that are. I was completely appalled that this comment came from of the manager of all people, who is supposed to set the example of professionalism and respect to employees and especially customers who patronize their services.
I have never had a problem with a Jacksons gas station before, but will never return to that Jacksons location, even if my car happens to run out of gas nearby. read more