The Mancunian Way: Going too far

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Hello,

Who could have predicted that a teenage boy would be kicked out of Karen’s Diner for saying something off-colour?

The concept restaurant chain, first opened in Sydney, presents you with waiting staff who are purposely rude, unhelpful, dismissive and offensive. It’s a weird concept but, as has been proved by the chain’s massive success, there are plenty of people who want a cup of piping hot T with their burger and fries.

Even so, there are house rules, including ‘no body shaming’. Which is why 17-year-old Jack Keith and his family were kicked out when the teenager called a waitress at the Manchester branch, a 'fat sl*g'. The group were ordered to pay up and leave after just 10 minutes.

Jack says he is not proud of the comments, but has since questioned why staff 'can give [abuse] but can't take it'. “Some of the insults they gave to my grandparents were pretty next-level. Karen's Diner is a crazy idea and I probably wouldn't go back,” he has said since.

While his mum - who says the house rules were thrown on the floor in front of them when they entered the restaurant - says customers should be made aware before the experience begins.

"When you're there and you see the way they speak to you it leaves you quite shell-shocked,” she said. "She was quite in his face and Jack doesn't like that really. He doesn't go out looking for trouble and he's quite a quiet lad.”

Bosses insist the behaviour was 'unacceptable’ and say they ‘spend days’ teaching staff how to be rude and funny.