This letter was sent anonymously to the Mirror. It echoes so of the reason people have left Cape Charles, and why others refuse to shop there. We don’t mean to single out the business in question here, but it seems like a legit teachable moment for everyone in this town, and on the Shore in general.
How the owner of Table & Tonic chose to “communicate” their mask requirement to me this past weekend, thus losing our business forever:
*I walk into the store and begin to look at items on a table, without touching anything.*
Store owner: “Uh!” (Trying to get my attention) Do you have a mask?”
Me: “No-“
Owner: “No! UH-UH.” *Gestures towards door*
The owner of Table & Tonic may benefit from a course in dialogue or communication, as well as taking breaks from wearing her mask and allowing for more oxygen to reach the brain. In a matter of 5 seconds, in her choice to react in such a spiteful manner, she lost local customers- for life. First impressions are everything in business. I’m stunned that a business owner could make it this far with an attitude like this.
It’s probably important to note that I have nothing against those businesses who have chosen to implement mask regulations. We must have missed seeing a sign at Table & Tonic, but for those establishments where we noticed a sign stating their mask requirement, we simply skipped them during this outing. I would never walk into an establishment that was asking their customers to wear a mask and berate them for their decision. What I WOULD do is ask for the same respect and dignity with which they would wish to be treated. Especially considering the fact that I had no idea that a rule was in place. But in every cloud there is a silver lining. At least we got a teachable moment out of this for our children. Lesson: How NOT to treat people. Especially if you want your business to thrive.
For reference below, if store owners would like to keep these in mind, a list of appropriate and POLITE responses to a customer who may not be wearing a mask when you’ve implemented a mask requirement. Please remember that some people may wish they COULD wear a mask, but cannot, simply for medical reasons.
– Hi, we currently have mask restrictions and are only allowing customers in if they are wearing them. I’m sorry!
– Hello, thank you for stopping in! Unfortunately we are only allowing in customers who are wearing a mask. Do you happen to have one with you?
– Hi there, I understand that some customers may have medical reasons which hinder them from wearing a mask. However, we are strictly allowing only those customers who are wearing a mask at this time. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Please… do not respond with:
“NO. UH-UH.”
Sara says
Weird, isn’t it. People all over struggling to keep businesses open. Then you run into a business owner that you step back and think..really….we are here to help your business. You wonder, were they that rude before. Sad.
BB King says
It is hard enough for small business owners right now to even get any business at all. The guidelines and restrictions that are required by the CDC are forced on the businesses and then when the small businesses try to enforce these guidelines they get criticized by customers. There is a sign clearly posted that is located in walking path by the front door.
chuck says
A sign can be easily missed. Signs don’t replace manners.
Publius Americanus says
Um, The CDC can require NOTHING. They can suggest but have no authority to demand squat.
TWANLOC’s love the CDC.
Note: Very true. Science was once something other than a fetish item for dumb people.
Cape Charles Business Owner says
I’m so sorry to see this. I know the owner of this business and this description seems way out of character for her. Perhaps it was an employee and not the business owner? I own a business that requires a mask, we do have a sign, we offer free masks and I do realize that some people can not where masks due to health issues. We have even brought things outside for them to look at. We do not like wearing these, they are uncomfortable and hot; however, we are trying to do everything we can to keep our customers and ourselves safe. Again, I’m sorry this happened, just in case it wasn’t the owner, please contact her to let her know what happened. Everyone is struggling to adapt to this “new norm”, we are being fed fear while trying to save our businesses and follow required guidelines. Please give Table & Tonic another chance, most every business in town is worth a second chance and the owners deserve to know about these situations so we can attempt to remedy and prevent the same scenario from a replay. Once again, I am so, so, sorry this happened to you, it should not have.
Doug Luther says
I too refuse to spend my money in any business that requires me to wear a mask.
Recently, I was yelled at by a receptionist that I had to leave because I didn’t have a mask on. This receptionist, calls me once a week to confirm my appointment. She never told me about wearing a mask nor was there any sign on the door.
Any business that wants me to spend my money in their establishment will treat me with respect or I go somewhere else. You need my business to survive. I don’t need your business to survive.
Economics 101
Geneva says
It seems selfish and selfserving for individuals that refuse to wear a mask during a “pandemic” that has claimed the lives of millions globally. Do people really believe they are truly that important in the grander scheme of things? Wear the mask to not only protect people you don’t care about, but to protect the ones you do. How arrogant and foolish the human family is. And to the writer of the article; why would you need to be told that a mask was required when the whole country is doing so? Do u need to be told to use an oven mitt when removing a hot pot from the stove? Would you be offended if a firefighter didn’t tell u nicely to get out of a burning building?
Leigh says
Killed millions globally? To say you are reading fake news somewhere is an understatement. 347,000 killed globally in over five months out of 7.5 billion people is hardly a mass extinction event. It’s up to a business if they want you to wear a mask while in their established. It’s up to me if I don’t want to be a patron of a business that caters to mass hysteria and fear.
Joseph Francis Corcoran says
Almost 100,000 of those deaths were in the USA . A reasonable person may conclude that we need to change out behavior .
Paul Plante says
A reasonable person?
We are talking about America here, Mr. Corcoran – we have a very serious deficit of reasonable persons in this country, and the time to change our ways is in the rearview mirror.
As to deaths in America, 100,000 is a mere drop in the bucket when you consider we have a population of around 326 million.
According to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2017 Emergency Department Summary Tables, which are readily available on-line, in that year the number of visits to emergency departments with pneumonia as the primary diagnosis was 1.3 million, while as of today, the Coronavirus Cases in America was 1,735,360, not that much bigger a number, actually, but we get all freaked out about COVID, and say ho hum to pneumonia as if those deaths don’t count for anything.
According to the Final Data for 2017 published by the CDC, the number of deaths from pneumonia for that year was 49,157, with deaths per 100,000 population equal to 15.1.
In 2018, the Commonwealth of Virginia, according to the CDC, had 1283 deaths from pneumonia equal to 13.1 deaths per 100,000.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, as of today, there are 40,249 cases of COVID with 1281 deaths.
So why do we get all freaked out about the people dying from COVID, while we don’t even bother to consider those people who die from pneumonia?
Why are the people dying from pneumonia so less equal than the people dying from COVID?
Or why are the people dying from COVID so much more important than the people who die of pneumonia?
Paul Plante says
Carrying that out a bit further, Mr. Corcoran, as of May 27, 2020, 19:49 GMT, in the United States, there were 1,739,391 COVID cases with 101,716 deaths, which is 5.85 percent versus about 3% estimated by the CDC on 10 April 2020.
However, there were also 483,092 recoveries, which means that the immune systems of those people who recovered were strong enough to defeat COVID, which is nothing more than a mutated corona virus, of which there are many in nature, including corona viruses which cause what is known as the “common cold,” which itself can lead to pneumonia.
Other statistics have 359,926 cases in New York state, including 29,031 deaths, or 8.7%, with 63,292 recovered, and 5,309,698 worldwide, including 342,078 deaths, or 6.44%, with 2,112,096 recovered.
So this is hardly the end of the world for humanity.
As to this particular mutation, which comes to us from nature, for nature’s own purposes, the gene encoding this coronavirus’s spike protein has 12 extra RNA building blocks, or nucleotides, stuck in it, as compared to other variations of corona virus.
This spike protein protrudes from the virus’ surface and allows the virus to latch onto and enter human cells.
That insertion of RNA building blocks adds four amino acids to the spike protein, and creates a site in the protein for an enzyme called furin to cut.
Furin is made in human cells, and cleaves proteins only at spots where a particular combination of amino acids is found, like the one created by the insertion.
SARS and other SARS-like viruses don’t have those cutting sites.
Finding the furin cutting site was a surprise according to Robert Garry, a virologist at Tulane University in New Orleans.
When bird influenza viruses acquire the ability to be cut by furin, the viruses often become more easily transmissible.
The insertion also created places where sugar molecules could be fastened to the spike protein, creating a shield to protect the virus from the immune system.
The COVID-19 virus’ spike protein also binds more tightly to a protein on human cells called ACE2 than SARS does.
Tighter binding may allow SARS-CoV-2 to more easily infect cells.
So what does that tell you, Mr. Corcoran?
Doesn’t it sound very much like nature itself decided there are too many weak people on earth, and it is time to weed them out to make room for new arrivals?
It does to me, anyway, and yes, I am over 70, and so am in what is the “at risk” category, so that one day, nature is going to reclaim me as well and convert me back into some essential elements for worms and other things to feed on, like an oak tree.
People in America seem to have become fixed on this silly idea that life is owed to them and has to be guaranteed by the government, without them having to do a thing themselves to maintain their own health.
“Just give me the pills, doc, because I’m not interested in that exercise crap, I want to sit and watch TV all day long and get as fat as a Poland China hog!”
That from a cardiac specialist up this way I used to do martial arts with, complaining about all the fat loads who would come to him for meds.
Does nature need those people?
Does nature want those people?
With this mutated corona virus, which is why it is called “novel,” for something new, seems not.
Karen G Gay says
Geneva, the letter writer said they weren’t aware of the policy. There may have been a sign there but I know I don’t always look before I head into a store. Those of us not in nursing homes have a 99.8% chance of surviving this pandemic just as we did in past flu seasons. You can see where lockdown got those elderly residents. There is no requirement to wear masks in public (yet) and wearing one is like putting up a split rail fence to keep out mosquitos. Viruses are nanoparticles. Read this article about masks: https://www.citizensforfreespeech.org/blaylock_face_masks_pose_serious_risks_to_the_healthy?fbclid=IwAR0x8UM6M4jBi_–91d7pV7goXHo15APQjuLD9jizNeWaJSE3d6Gp7kFm1A
Those who don’t wear masks do so for a variety of reasons. They could have asthma or COPD. I know I can’t breathe in one and it’s hard to stop touching your face because it is uncomfortable. The letter writer said they would be happy to wear a mask, had she known. Tarring all non-mask wearing people as selfish, self-serving, arrogant and foolish is really judgmental as I’m sure you don’t know all the facts. Turns out I happened to see the letter writer right after the event and I could see how shaken this person was.
Now if I were the owner of the referenced store, I would simply post an apology in the Mirror. We all understand fear, but rudeness tends to stay with us.
Publius Americanus says
Jawhol, do zese fools not realize zat behfel zu behfel?
Fur ihre sichereit?
Now, please follow Geneva to zee trains, ve haff nice showers for your……..disinfecting……yah, disinfecting……….at ze ‘terminal’.
Max says
Walking into a business without a mask during a viral pneumonia pandemic seems less than polite as well. “A viral pneumonia pandemic.” That’s heavy. We should look past our feelings of personal offense, and as customers lead by example of being courteous and easygoing during these hard days.
Mag says
Customers should not look past offenses. Every one should be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
Jim says
You say that but you also probably vote republican, and are anti-choice, and say you want smaller government but only when it’s in your favor. When you want farm subsidies to keep your food flowing, you gladly take the government handout. But when there is a health reason for everyone to just shut up and listen for once in their lives, you lash out like your personal liberties are something you thought about before you heard some rambling on fox news.
You “liberty” and “freedom” idiots have no concept that, just like you, everyone else has freedom and liberty to do exactly the opposite of you without having to listen to you gripe cause it’s “encroaching on my freedom.”
All you right wing people should move to the flyover states and start your own bad government and stop ruining ours.
Note: As an aside, it’s kind of nice that liberals are wearing masks these days. It makes them so much easier to identify; then we can steer clear and avoid the Karenism.
Stuart Bell says
Freedom is not free,
but the U.S. Marine Corps
will pay most of your share, you Liberal POS.
Todd Holden says
We the People will see you and those like you ‘moved to the flyover states’ before we budge an inch. You are obviously talking out of your a$$ because your mouth knows better.
What on Earth would you people do if civil war broke out? Call the UN for help?
Stuart Bell says
https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2020/05/25/pittsburgh-war-memorial-vandalized-red-paint/
It just would not be Memorial Day without democrats desecrating the graves and memorials of Veterans.
Joseph Francis Corcoran says
Where did this happen ?
Steve says
This ignorant writer claims stupidity that she must have missed the sign? Every store has a mask requirement. How about respecting the store that is struggling to survive. Shop at home you I’m sure they won’t miss your browsing anyway
Howie says
When reading these posts, it seems many have missed the ever swinging pendulum of “mask should be worn” and “masks are ineffective “. If you haven’t seen it , wait a minute it will change again.Sign or no sign ,there are so many inconsistencies in Covid 19 policy. Cape Charles beach closed while Va Beach open comes to mind. If we ever face this situation again, I hope people other than politicians will be allowed to determine what is an “essential Business.”
Paul Reid says
Look at the bright side…those mask are showing most of you all just how bad you breathe is, on a regular basis and how desperately they need to call or find a dentist.
Those dentist offices should be overwhelmed with patients well in to next year.
BayDreamin' says
I know this shop and have shopped in this establishment since she opened. I find this very out of character for her and wonder if this is an exaggerated version of what may have happened. She is kind, gentle and loves this town and her patrons…. I would encourage you to give her and her store another chance. This is a strange time and its hard for anyone to know how to navigate the waters. Let’s try and support our local business owners without always thinking the worst.
MJM says
“We don’t mean to single out any business here” and then this business is singled out. Sometimes the Mirror sure has a way of negatively broadcasting things that hurt the whole town, all under the guise of helping the town. Bass ackwards, convoluted, ignorant and sad. Mean too. So can we believe anything in this article when it starts out with this attitude and deliberate destructive force? It looks to me like The Mirror simply forgot to use the slogan “We are all in this together” to sell this agenda more while they threw rocks at this shop window and urinated in the doorway.
I simply cannot believe this Post ever should have been written.
Business owners have a right to be respectful of, or afraid of, the corona virus the last time I checked. They do not have to run their shop the way the way the local bully editor of the paper or a customer who refuses to follow posted health norms say to.
This article infers that the original complaint was a local customer. If that’s true then the local knows the beach is closed and covid19 cases are way up on The Shore. The Shore isn’t completely open, and this is Phase 1. Public health directions for this situation abound but The Mirror disagrees so this business is ridiculed and an agenda is pushed by The Mirror. Sounds and looks like something The Washington Post and Mr. Bezos does.
There’s a reply here that states this store clearly does display a sign, It is all over the t.v. that wearing a mask is a great idea and a wag or two of a finger is nowhere near as spiteful as many other things I read in The Mirror that are accepted here. I’ve been told F.U. here in print, and to go away because of a disagreement of opinion. If that’s an acceptable business practice why is the wag of a finger a spiteful no no ? Then what is an F.U ? What kind of balance is that ? Or is there a double standard that is sometimes used here, a la The Washngton Post ?
The adage that “the customer is always right” (not stated, but inferred in this post) is total nonsense. Sometimes customers are completely rude and know nothing of the way a business needs to run, (that’s why the customer doesn’t have a business) and while an owner certainly hates to lose a customer, or many, sometimes the health of the business is better off if the negative influences are dismissed. That’s how you get to stay in business and outlive those incapable of making correct and hard decisions.
There is also the other side of the equation where some may think the maskless customer is recklessly attempting to murder the shop owner. In that case is the wag of a finger more rude or spiteful than spreading this disease ? Some may disagree with the need of a mask, but the shop owner has a right to their opinion. I have no problem with this shop wanting masks worn. I’m not a shopper, nor am I in Cape Charles every day. I’ll be there within a week or so and go in this shop, wear a mask, and buy something. It’s called supporting, not degrading, local business.
Susan says
My point if reference is a liitle different. I like to stay in Cpe Charles overnight before heading to OBX to visit family. I have nothing but respect for the small business owners. I understand their struggle with compliance with CDC. I live on Long Island we are still not opened. The anonymous letter appears petty to me.
Paul Plante says
Susan, small business owners in Cape Charles are not “struggling” with compliance to CDC precisely because the CDC has no authority in Cape Charles, being a federal agency, and the CDC has not “ordered” people to wear masks in Cape Charles.
The CDC made a recommendation about masks, which is precisely that, a recommendation.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Recommendations for Cloth Face Covers
Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States.
We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.
This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.
In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus.
CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.
Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
Page last reviewed: April 3, 2020
Julie says
Thank you for the heads up! I respect this owner’s decision and will go out of my way to throw her some business.
Baydreamin’ says
THIS! Thank you. I’m going to tomorrow to support her.
Note: As you should, as is your right as a citizen.
Shelly says
Have you been living under a rock?? Wearing a mask is for the safety of others, not about your preference. The store owner should not have to ask you to wear one. You should have the basic consideration to have one on. I can’t wait to shop at her store and glad to know she is ensuring it is safe for all!
Note: But, if the shop keeper’s, and other’s masks work so well, why doe the patron have to wear one?
Geneva Smith says
This far into the pandemic I don’t see anything wrong with what they said.
Ricky says
Wearing a mask is a sign of respect for your fellow earthlings.
Unfortunately not wearing one has become a dog whistle for those who don’t believe ANYTHING the government says.
If you don’t want to wear a mask,
STAY HOME!!
Note: If your mask works so great, why does this guy have to wear one? Just a logic question.
David Muir says
“Note: If your mask works so great, why does this guy have to wear one? Just a logic question.”
Perhaps this will help: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/05/masks-covid-19-infections-would-plummet-new-study-says
I know it features a study done by a computer scientist and other academics, so many Mirror readers will probably discount it immediately. I mean, why believe them when you can put your trust in a self-appointed genius in Cape Charles whose main qualification appears to be a bar stool at Kelly’s?
Peter Helck says
I too love idiots (some anyway), although I find I have a little less love for the antics of intelligent people who choose to behave like idiots. Well, at least sometimes they can be amusing, there is that small compensation.
For example, citing a crackpot conspiracy theorist such as Russell Blaylock as a reason not to wear face masks is funny, or at least it would be funny if it didn’t involve putting people’s heath at risk. And this example, showing a researcher in a full lab suit, as though it were some sort of evidence to discredit the Vanity Fair article. That is funny, it warmed my heart and made me laugh (OK, I chuckled anyway).
Am I some kind of expert? Absolutely not, but I have been around long enough to be skeptical of extraordinary claims, and to question the intentions and conclusions of contrarian thinkers, especially one’s whose arguments are no more logical or persuasive than the claims of Erich Von Daniken.
For the present I will continue to wear my mask on public, and quite frankly I will shun those who do not do so as well.
PS: Thumbs up to Paul Plante for a comment that was to the point and mercifully SHORT! (I have a limited attention span)
Note: Karen, this is what people who really work in virology labs wear to work: https://www.honeywellsafety.com/Products/Protective_Clothing/BSL_4.aspx?site=/europe. Like everything, it’s all about the gear. Wearing a surgical mask may help you feel safer, but in CA some feel a bandanna is an appropriate helmet. If you are old and overweight, you are at risk, the mask won’t help you. Just stay at home. But in the end, we’re all gonna get it, and it will be up to your immune system, which all you Karens have pretty compromised with your lockdowns, shelter in place, germphobia, and masks. The other day in Target, this lady was coughing up a lung over by the Mex food aisle, and I stopped to see if she were okay…she was, but her mask, like almost everyone I see did not fit at all–openings around the cheeks, near the nose, and probably under the chin…she and her mask was spewing Covid all over the refried beans. Awesome! At that point, I was thinking, these morons should go to the Autozone and purchase a pro-grade auto paint ventilator…that may be legit. This is a boomer pandemic, so do what makes you feel alive. Once this baby mutates and comes back next fall, y’all may be in the NFL…not for long. For myself, I try and get as much into the body as possible, like this old brother I saw in Home Depot. Must have been at least 70, pushing a pallet with some lumber on it, and no mask baby. He be like, “Come and get me Conrona, I got something for your ass you little bitch.” There are still some men left with a set of balls. The rest of you cowering, craven dogs should just go hunker down with some Melba toast. Karens.
Publius Americanus says
Minimum size stopped by highest rated N95 mask = .3 microns.
Size of Corona virus = .125 microns.
The masks do NOTHING but show us who the Nazi is.
Very effectively.
TWANLOC.
Oh, btw? Until NO ONE EVER ANYWHERE drowns, Cape Charles Beaches will remain closed.
TWANLOC
Note: Team Apocalypse:
Wrong about infection fatality rate.
Wrong about overrun hospitals.
Wrong about wait two weeks.
Wrong about the end of lockdowns.
Wrong about the need for tests.
Wrong about Japan.
But hey, maybe they’re right about masks – there’s a first time for everything!
Ricky says
Everyone who believes not wearing a mask is a sign of their “rugged individualism ” should all get together for a BIG PARTY so they can find out just how smart and strong they are! And if anyone attending gets the virus gets sick…please stay home and pass away in silence.
Sorin Varzaru says
“Note: If your mask works so great, why does this guy have to wear one? Just a logic question”
The mask doesn’t protect the person who wears it, it protects everyone else, what planet do you live on?
Note: So the mask does not indeed work?? If a person wears a mask, they can’t infect the other person, and vice-versa. It has pretty much been confirmed that the pathogen is passed person to person, not via surfaces. So, the only person at risk is the one that chooses not to wear one, which is a choice based on individual risk analysis. As a side note, people that work with pathogens in a lab, where specialized lab suits…not surgical gear.
Brian McCade says
Your ignorance is indeed dangerous, pleas stop commenting.
Brian McCade says
Dear cement head, most folks don’t have access to the kind of PPE that protects them from close contact with infected persons; those are needed by the front line health providers. And, are not needed or readily available to the general public. The logic is: face coverings by the general public will greatly reduce the transmission of the virus by restricting the aerosolized infection route from sneezing, coughing and close contact. Wear a mask or stay away from me.
Publius Americanus says
Actually, if you force a .125 micron particle through a .3 micron hole, you strip away the larger water droplet, aerosolizing the virus in a GREATER MANNER than if it had the larger, HEAVIER water droplet on it. Physics ya know.
But hey, you be sciencey mister I love my chains.
TWANLOC
Kayla says
This is nothing more than a glorified Yelp review. True journalism on this situation would have included a response and review of events from the owner.
The entitlement from this customer is outrageous and makes it very obvious they aren’t concerned about the businesses of their town, much less the safety of those around them.
Perhaps a more polite response from the offended customer might be to communicate their feelings to the business owner themselves, rather than trying to blast the business’ name on the internet to the local community.
Note: This is an opinion piece from a local, we run them like this all the time. We found it refreshing that someone finally stood up and said something about people like this. Or as a reader just sent in over the transom, “The most chauvinistic racist area I sailed to. My experience in Cape Charles was the worst I received in my trip down the Chesapeake Bay. Awful representation. I will never return there. I’m sure that is why the mayor is oblivious to the lack of tourism. They are the first to spend money.”
Shelly says
So you should be the only one who doesn’t have to wear one???
Note: You know you’re wearing the wrong gear, right? Virologists that work with deadly pathogens wear specializes suits, like this: https://www.honeywellsafety.com/Products/Protective_Clothing/BSL_4.aspx?site=/europe. Your mask does not do anything except show you off in a bad intellectual light. Also, logically, if the mask works, which it doesn’t, the wearer is protected from getting or giving disease. The only one really at risk is the one not wearing one…right? So why worry? I really think those masks are cutting off oxygen to the brain, and making people loopy on Co2.
Brian McCade says
Please stop, lives are in the balance here. Your snarky ignorant logic may have a deadly result.
Note: Lives are in the balance? You really just said that? Correction: Boomer lives are in the balance. Karma.
karma says
Wow, ignorance and evil.
Note: Hey boomer! You scared, bro? When will dishonest Karens like you begin to investigate the lack of science behind masks, “6 feet apart,” lockdowns, closing schools, communities, and the effect it has had on our entire society. Maybe, Karen, you should stay your pathetic, frightened little ass in the house. You can watch re-runs of the Golden Girls and have some Melba toast with your tea. Don’t worry though, we got this for you.
Leigh Greer says
As the owner of Table & Tonic I would like to make a statement concerning the letter from an anonymous customer. This person clearly was unable to hear my muffled voice under my own mask. My hand gesture pointing to the door was to offer this customer a free mask which were provided by a city council member. These masks were on the same table with the large bottle of sanitizer. It was directly below the Cape Charles Cares sign provided by Cape Charles Main Street. I was in no way pointing to the door telling him to leave. I was simply offering him a free mask. My shop door is always open. If I point to the door it’s for a complimentary mask and a squirt of hand sanitizer. Hope to see everyone soon at T & T.
Karen Gay says
Looking over the lovely replies here I see people calling the letter writer such names as entitled, selfish, arrogant, inconsiderate, ignorant and impolite. All I can think is that fearful people quickly lose their good nature and manners. I’m good with different perspectives on the effectiveness of masks, but there’s no need for name calling.
That said, I appreciate Cape Charles Business Owner’s reply. It was appropriate and expressed regret. The reply of the Table and Tonic owner leaves a lot to be desired. First of all it does not coincide with the story I heard from the shaken and upset letter writer minutes after the event. Intelligent business owners know that when there is a complaint you apologize no matter who is at fault and consider a way to make it up to the person. Her reply is an excuse, not an apology. Let me help this business owner with an appropriate reply: Dear Customer, you were right, I lost my cool. Recent news has gotten me so fearful as I have several pre-existing conditions, and I’m worried about the success of my business. Please accept my apologies and if you’d like to return to my store (with a mask 😉 I’ll have a special gift for you. Sincerely …..
And to those of you who are not local, I want you to be aware that I know many of the business owners in town and they are the most welcoming people you could want. I do all of my birthday and holiday shopping here, and will continue to do so.
Karen Gay says
Yikes! Now it’s my turn to apologize! I left out an edit to the word “intelligent”. I am profoundly sorry about this. I meant to revise the word to say “a wiser business owner.” As you may have guessed, I must apologize often and have honed these skills. With a little practice anyone can do this!
Mag says
Because if the patron is a carrier, it is possible that the droplets could remain in the air for a period of time.
Ray Otton says
Man, what a thread.
I’m happy Rayfield’s is on the edge of town so I don’t have to venture too far into the morass.
end quotes.
Paul Plante says
Raymond, I know you stood up on your 16th birthday and said to your 6th grade teacher, “teach, I’m out of here, I’m quitting, this fancy book learning is for fools,” and you have never once looked back, and I’m cool with that.
Quitting school at 16 was your God-given right as an American citizen, and I would be the first to admit that, but Raymond, your lack of education really shows when you use the words “end quotes” after something you yourself have written.
If the words are yours, then you are not quoting anything, so that it is superfluous and a bit silly, actually, to follow up your own words with “end quotes” as if you were really quoting somebody else, as I so often do in my posts in here, which I realize you can’t read because I use multi-syballic words.
You would use the words “end quotes” if you actually did quote somebody else to let the reader know the words are not yours, and that you are not plagiarizing, which is defined as taking the work of someone else and pass it off as your own.
But as I say, while it might make you look erudite to the uninformed, adding “end quotes” after your own words only makes you look uninformed to those who know better.
And Raymond, we are not talking something you had to go to collitch to learn.
I think I learned all of that by the ninth or tenth grade, in fact.
Geneva smith says
I find it odd that the store owner has spoken and there is still dialogue about this. I would think if you don’t have the courage to write your name on a complaint then this blog shouldn’t allow the business name to be mentioned. Maybe even an apology should come from some people.
Note: It was the Mirror’s decision to keep the author’s name anonymous. We do this routinely to protect people when they want to come forward. Otherwise, on the Shore, nobody would ever say anything.
Geneva Smith says
Curious, why did you name the business then?
Geneva Smith says
Your first sentence says, “This letter was sent anonymously to the Mirror.” Then you go on to say you don’t mean to”single” out the business, but then that is exactly what you do. The Cape Charles Mirror owes that business an apology in print.
Note: Go pack sand. The Mirror apologizes to no one.
Kathleen Terry says
She can’t. Democrats closed the beach!
Reader says
That’s laughable. You want the Mirror to apologize for exposing the truth while you accept and even attempt to justify the business’ behavior. Meanwhile, the business has yet to even hint at an apology. What backwards thinking. A business knows from the beginning that it will be in the public eye. It also decides how it handles its interactions with customers. With that, it accepts the fact that if they decide to be rude for no reason other than being fearful of an unmasked individual, they can and will be talked about. Fear is understandable and acceptable. Rudeness is not. It is a choice. And apparently this was not the only customer that this store owner was rude to. One person speaks up and the rest might gain courage. That’s what I count on the Mirror for.
Deb Lewis says
Go to the source of your problem for an apology. That would be the store staff and owner. A wise man once told me that customer service skills are not taught, your born with it. And 99% of your business is CUSTOMER SERVICE. ALWAYS!
So if you don’t have that skill, not only will you fail, your hurting other businesses in your area.