Michael Lugo, who works at Michael's Tasting Room, was upset about a customer's complaint about the Christmas music playing in the restaurant. Photo / Michael Lugo Facebook
Michael Lugo, who works at Michael's Tasting Room, was upset about a customer's complaint about the Christmas music playing in the restaurant. Photo / Michael Lugo Facebook
A chef was outraged when a customer left a note on the back of a receipt calling the Christmas music inside the Florida restaurant "offensive".
Michael Lugo, who works at Michael's Tasting Room in Saint Augustine, Florida, shared the customer's note, which read: "Christmas music was offensive. Consider playing 'holiday'music or less religious themed."
Lugo posted a photo of the handwritten note on Facebook and pushed back against the customer's criticism, saying Christmas was a celebration of family.
Lugo, who works as both the chef and the manager at the restaurant, said one of the servers showed him the note, which he shared with the caption: "Really...what's wrong with people?"
"It's all about celebration of family and gathering with friends and people and it's a tradition. It's not about a religion it's not about anything else. I am a Christian but I don't push that as my agenda. I think that Christmas is Christmas," Lugo told the First Coast News.
Lugo revealed it was actually the second time in the same week he received a complaint about the holiday music.
He wrote: "We will continue to be us, it's worked well for ten years, but it is sad that two times in one week basic Christmas music has angered our patrons...is this what we've become in America?"
The Facebook post attracted more than 500 reactions, and some supporters rallied against "politically correct" culture, while others vowed to stop by the restaurant for a meal.
Bethany Walter wrote: "That's crazy! Were they also offended by the Christmas lights decorating the city?"
Joe Saviak wrote: "We are a pluralistic nation and a free society - part of the deal of life in America is we see, hear, and experience all kinds of different speech, art, culture, etc.
"It's not fatal to hear something with which you may not personally agree - it's tolerable - in fact, we can respect it, find value in it, and even enjoy it."
Julie Wesling urged people to show empathy, writing: "Not everyone celebrates Christmas. Most who don't seem happy to support those who do.
"But sometimes the ever presence of music, ads, displays etc is overwhelming.
"Maybe this person is really hurting because they lost a loved one during Christmastime. Maybe they were having a really hard day.
Michael Lugo is both the manager and a chef at the restaurant. Photo / Michael Lugo Facebook
"I don't think they should be condemned to hell for making a suggestion! I think Jesus would have compassion."
Lugo thanked people for their support, and said complaints like the one written on the back of the receipt puts his staff under "unfair" stress.
He wrote: "Between social media and review sites I swear they are under constant pressure that someone is going to write something bad about us."
