Offensive name for sandwich

[Sighs]

So... I wondered into a cafe in my small town - no particular theme to the cafe - to find that on the menu board along with things like a BLT was a sandwich named Pearl Harbour. Some kind of fish with Japanese mayonnaise.

I couldn't help it. Had to ask for the manager. Asked him if he would name a sandwich 9/11. Got a blank look. Gestured to the menu board. Asked him if he knew nearly 2500 Americans were killed at Pearl Harbour. He said yes. (!?) Asked him if he knew the attack was declared a war crime. He said he did. (!?). Asked him if he thought perhaps it was offensive to Americans and Japanese. (We are a tourist town.) He said he was not here to ruffle feathers. I told him I was offended by it and suggested he change it. Again, he said he was not here to ruffle feathers.
Did I overreact? Does anyone else think this is outrageous?

 

[Friday]

Oh oh oh! Can we rewrite his menu???

The Dachau Grinder
The Auschweitz Bean Burrito
The Ethiopean Diet (small) Plate
The Darfur Diet (small) Plate
The 9/11 Club
The Infidel Bourbon BBQ Pork
The Pearl Harbor Sushi Roll
The Tet Offensive Bahn Mi
The Troubles Potato Salad

 

[Jen93]

I do not think that you overreacted. I think you gave him something to think about. He probably thought it was a clever name.... it's really a fine line between being offensive and being a marketing tactic/clever name. I don't think you were wrong; you told him you were offended by it, brought up some good points.

If you screamed it at him; that'd be another matter, but you stuck to the issue (the name) and did not attack him. That was within your rights as a customer to offer feedback; now it's up to him whether to change it or not, and you as to whether to go back there or not (in my opinion).

 

[Sighs]

No, I didn't raise my voice. I did tell him I was sure the sandwich was delicious but that he should change the name. :)

 

[anthony]

Sounds funny...

 

[The Albatross]

It's fine as a patron to voice an opinion, and you did that. Me personally... I'm not big on offenses at a restaurant or café unless there's an issue with the food itself. They could call it whatever they wish... and as long as it's prepared in a clean kitchen on a clean plate with clean utensils and there's no hair in my food or something else unsavory... I'm good.

 

[The Albatross]

"Did I overreact? Does anyone else think this is outrageous?

Overreact? Nope. You're response was appropriate for you and you expressed yourself in line with your personal character. His response was appropriate as well. If offended you can choose now to either continue to be a patron of his business or decide not to and be okay with it.

Outrageous? Nope. But I used to frequent the Road Kill Café - I expect the proprietor was only trying to highlight the Japanese Sauce on his fish sandwich. Personally, I'm itching now to know what's in it though it's probably a sriracha/mayo blend instead of Kewpie (the real Japanese mayo).

Damn it now I want a fish sandwich and it's only 7 am... with wasabi mayo.

 

[The Albatross]

Hmmmm. Okay now I'm probably overthinking... Sighs did you even WANT a fish sandwich or were you just scanning for things to be offended by?

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Personally, I take more offense at what the fish (and other animals and products) had to go through to get to the menu in the first place, as well as wondering which toxic body of water it may have been previously marinating in, and for what it did to break down my body for nearly half a century than I do at the names and titles of things, but that's just me.

I don't think heightening awareness of how things make us feel when done as kindly as possible is ever a bad thing. It may be highly unwanted and unwelcomed by those we share it with, but they're equally as free to also express themselves.

 

[FireSign8]

I stopped eating in restaurants years ago. I once worked in the food industry, so I KNOW what can happen to food before it gets to your fork! That said, you have every right to be offended, yet no right to tell the owner of an establishment what to name his menu dishes. We call it freedom of speech here in America & yes, much of it IS offensive...but that is how the marketing agencies keep a thought going in the heads of the consumer...I like to call it shake & bake thinking.

When I was a kid, there was a dish that was very popular. It was called "Shit On A Shingle". Fancy words that can never be misunderstood by the waitress calling it out to the cook. It meant hot chipped beef on toast. On the ticket, the waitress only needed to write SOS & the cashier knew how to price that dish. So, my friends, what so many might feel is vulgar slang, is just an easy way for management to lessen their load of mistakes in the food industry.

Pearl Harbor. My Dad was there & I'm not offended. He was also in the Korean War. He hated "Nips" until his dying day & was never silent when any person of Asian descent was in his midst. If I saw a dish on a menu with that name, this is what I would think about it...Dead fish who fed on the souls of the dead before becoming a sandwich that is slathered in hot wasabi mayo on crappy bread. No thanks! The sign above the door generally says "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone". So, think before you speak unless you have a B plan in place for your next meal!

 

[Justmehere]

The name was in very poor taste. I think it was reasonable to ask the manager about and express a opinion of concern. I would find it offensive, just really stupid. It doesn't sell a sandwich well.

It's a very poor business decision to name a sandwich after such an event. There are other places to go. Competition.

Have you gone back to see if they thought it through and re-named it?

 

[Sighs]

No I didn't want a fish sandwich. But I don't think I'm easily offended. Perhaps a little sensitive about the average Australian's indifference and ignorance about war in general. I maintain that people would be offended if he named a charcoal grill dish 9/11. I don't see much of a difference between the two attacks other than time. (All of the Americans killed at Pearl Harbour were technically non-combatants because Japan had not declared war on the USA.)