Chick-fil-A video ranter uploads YouTube apology: 'It wasn't right'

[Ptah]

Source: Arizona Daily Star (Tucson)

A former Tucson executive who lost his job after filming himself berating a Chick-fil-A
employee last week has made a new video - this one an apology to the young worker.

Adam Smith shot a video apologizing for his behavior while attempting to explain his reasons
for verbally attacking the young woman who served him Wednesday with a constant but
uncomfortable smile and ever-polite language as he insulted her employer. The incident
took place at the Chick-fil-A, 3605 E. Broadway.

Smith, who was chief financial officer at Vante, a medical manufacturing firm, waited in
line for a free cup of water on what conservative commentator Mike Huckabee dubbed
"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." Huckabee encouraged customers to eat there to show
support for the chain after its president, Dan Cathy, said the company supports efforts to block gay marriage.

Smith filmed his visit to the restaurant and then uploaded it to YouTube.
The video went viral, leading to his exit from Vante.

Read more: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/chick-fil-a-video-ranter-uploads-youtube-apology-it-wasn/article_783de891-a4f9-5542-87ab-eca234088a46.html

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[twizzler]

1. Too little, too late

he showed poor judgement berating that young lady who has nothing to do with what the owner of the company said. On top of that, this asshat is (was) an officer of the company and as such, it is incumbent upon him not to bring embarrassment to himself or the company whether on or off the job.
And, just speculating here, but when you get that high up in a company, execs are usually assigned a company vehicle, he was on his lunch time so I wonder if he was in a company car when he pulled that asshole stunt.

[Ptah]

3. I wonder what else he could do for you to accept his apology.

[twizzler]

6. Oh I accept his apology with a caveat.

It's just too little too late as far as his job is concerned.
He wouldn't be apologizing if he hadn't pulled such a boneheaded stunt and he would still be employed.

[man4allcats]

20. Re: "berating that young lady who has nothing to do with what the owner of the company said."

I don't think I ever watched the original video until now. Of course I read the news reports, but having just viewed the video it doesn't seem to me that he was actually berating the woman in the drive-thru window. He certainly did berate the company, but I didn't get the impression he was taking issue with the server personally. There is one point where I admit he comes close to crossing the line when he tells her that he doesn't know how she can live with herself working for such a company, but again I think that could be taken more as an intellectual question on the possibility of cognitive dissonance rather than an actual insult, and my impression is that's how he meant it.

As for the company that employed him, if he was off duty and wearing no corporate identification including but not limited to driving a company vehicle, then I really don't see that his employer's views have any relevance. To hell with his employer! If in fact he displayed no corporate identification at all, he should probably be looking into suing to get his job back rather than spending time making unnecessary apologies for calling out a bigoted company.

[Xipe Totec]

27. Well...

Just from reading your reply, I get the feeling that there is some cognitive dissonance at play....

"he comes close to crossing the line when he tells her that he doesn't know how she can live with herself working for such a company"

He comes close to crossing the line? Really? Just close?

Let's be honest.

He crossed the line.

[man4allcats]

36. You have your opinion.

I have mine. Don't insinuate that I'm being dishonest. You may disagree with my opinion, and that's okay, but I believe my post was honestly rendered. I don't agree with you anymore than you agree with me, but I'm not questioning your honest intent - merely your interpretation.

[Xipe Totec]

37. I see from your reply that I ofended you. I apologize.

My reply was meant to be more lighthearted than how it came across.

No excuses, no quibbles.

I am sorry I offended you.

Peace.

[marshall]

35. She asked him to stop filming her

That is my main issue with him. After he started his rant, she politely told him she was not comfortable being filmed. Hee not only continued to film her, he increased her discomfort by uploading the film to the Internet. He had no respect at all for this young woman's privacy. He should have had the camera turned on HIMSELF the entire time, rather than invading this woman's workplace.

[MADem]

2. Andy Warhol must be spinning like a top. nt

[Ptah]

4. Well, his two videos total about ten minutes.

So he has five minutes left.

[ejbr]

11. +1

[onpatrol98]

34. LOL

[Mortos]

5. The difference between liberals and conservatives

I have never seen a conservative sincerely apologize for doing something wrong like I have seen liberals take responsibility and offer heartfelt contrition. I still don't like what this guy did but I like the way he is trying to make amends. Good Luck Adam, I hope you can find another job and someday meet with Rachel to tell her in person

[zellie]

7. Everyone does something stupid

once in their lives.

Seemed like a heartfelt apology

[Iggo]

15. "Seemed like a heartfelt apology..."

Yeah, for about a minute. Then it got weird.

I made this video for you, Rachel, because when I went back to your work to see you, Rachel, you wouldn't talk to me, Rachel...

So gross.

[slackmaster]

8. Mr. Smith, I hope you think before taking rash actions next time you feel an impulse to do so.

[twizzler]

9. I'm guessing he learned a valuable

life lesson here and will think twice about how to protest a wrongdoing.

[Moltisanti]

10. an expensive lesson n/t

[Zoeisright]

12. Oh so what?

Why is this a big deal? That disgusting corporation has bloody hands on this issue, since gay people DIE because of bigotry. THAT is the big picture. I don't give a flying fuck about someone being rude to a fast food worker.

[slackmaster]

13. I think we're better than that

Being rude to that young woman did no good for anyone.

[AlbertCat]

24. I think we're better than that

"We're" only human....


even though we want to destroy Christianity and the world as we know it...

[4th law of robotics]

16. That's kind of the same mentality terrorists use

This (large entity) is causing me grief therefore I'm going to take it out on this (small insignificant cog likely unaware of the total situation) because he/she is somehow involved.

[former9thward]

18. " I don't give a flying fuck about someone being rude to a fast food worker."

We know what side of life you are on.

[Inkfreak]

19. Indeed

[cordelia]

22. No kidding.

[The Green Manalishi]

21. " I don't give a flying fuck about someone being rude to a fast food worker.

That is a disgusting and vile attitude to have. You should be ashamed. Only a loathsome individual could write or think something like that, regardless of context.

[AlbertCat]

14. His 1st mistake was going to Chick-fil-a

Last edited Sun Aug 5, 2012, 04:23 PM - Edit history (1)

Obviously, these weeks have proven that there's too much baggage as well as too many calories and saturated schmaltz at Chick-fil-a. Just go somewhere else. There's literally nothing at Chick-fil-a worth any of this effort.

[naaman fletcher]

17. He ordered a free water.

Still, he's a douche.

[IndyJones]

23. The amount of grief his wife is giving him now far outweighs the social grief. He lost

his job supporting his family over his immature actions, and now he's unemployed. I hope he got a good severence package or has a good savings. May be difficult for him to find another job quickly.

[FBaggins]

33. Severance rarely applies if you're fired for cause.

Perhaps as CFO he had a special package... but I wouldn't bet on it.

[JI7]

26. he seems like an attention whore

[Iggo]

29. Yes, he does.

It wasn't enough for him to give her shit at the drive-thru window, he had to have people SEE him giving her shit.

And it wasn't enough for him to apologize to her, he had to have people SEE him apologizing.

Look at me. Look at me. Look at me.

[loli phabay]

38. next up will be the video of him either killing himself or going on a rampage after her

i get a vibe from this guy that hes not finished with this yet.

[LanternWaste]

28. So long as we breathe, there is an opportunity for redemption.

So long as we breathe, there is an opportunity for redemption-- if done sincerely and with honesty and grace.

[snooper2]

30. Now that he has ruined his image, he may just end up working alongside Rachel

wouldn't that be ironic

[-..__...]

31. Dude... get rid of the mental institution hair cut!

[RZM]

32. If genuine, the whole stunt was a huge miscalculation

Lost his job and had to apologize. Lesson learned, I guess . . . unless that was the point all along. Maybe the intent was to be such a dick that he went viral and got famous. Probably not, but you never know.

Stranger things have happened.

[jsr]

39. Asshole got fired for being himself

Cry me a river.

[Great Caesars Ghost]

40. If you work at Chik Fil a, you become part of the problem

It doesn't matter if Rudy need tve job or not. The key thing is to learn about the company before you shop or apply there. The employee chose to work there.

[christx30]

41. Yes

The employee chose to be employed and have money. It's easy to have a principled stand when you don't have to worry about paying the rent or a car payment. If everyone quit their jobs because of unpopular stands the CEO's of their company made, no one would work. You just keep your head down, do your job, and try to make it through another day.

[Pterodactyl]

42. He should have stopped talking at 3:58.

The dude should have said sorry and then shut the hell up.