Does a business owner have a right to say, "Don't come back?"

I'm asking this question because we have had a local business fall into trouble based on a charge of discrimination. Now, I can understand the owners concern, which is that a specific group of people were patronizing his business and, if I understand his position correctly, affected his business negatively. Now, there seems to be a claim that this group of people was wild and unruly, which chased away other patrons, but I suspect it had more to do with this groups' peculiarities. In my opinion, I think it was specifically because of their peculiarities, and the fear that their peculiarities made other patrons uncomfortable.

Why should anti-discrimination laws trump the livelihood of a business? If the presence of one group effectively drains your business of paying customers, shouldn't you have the right to ask them not to return?

 

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This reminds me of an article I read about an "all you can eat" buffet in England banning two guys who, the business owner claims, ate too much and never tipped, never bought any other entree off the menu, and never ordered anything to drink other than water.

 

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Just to be clear: In my opinion, this is discrimination...or so I suspect. But on the other hand, the guy is trying to run a profitable business. It's quite a quandary.

 

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What came of it?

 

I see little difference in this and the fact that casino's in Vegas and Atlantic City (and all other casinos, I suppose) have a right to ban any individuals they choose. They also spread the word among themselves about card-counters and such - and that results in people being barred from places they've never even visited yet.

 

Generally speaking, yes. You couldn't ban someone for being black or gay or something, but you could ban them for refusing to take off their hat, for example.

 

...and for failure to wear shirt/shoes.

 

so nice to see prejudice and discrimination alive and kicking in the 21st century due to ancient superstitions and inane whatnots

unless there are definitive safety issues, stay the fuck outta mah closet

 

What are YOU raving about?? Where's any proof of prejudice/discrimination? We haven't even seen any details yet and YOU are jumping straight to THAT conclusion. Based on what, exactly? Is it because YOU yourself choose to discriminate perhaps???

 

No, our friend is one of those types who sees racism and discrimination everywhere. There isn't even an actual "for instance" here, and he's already crying about prejudice.

 

Yep, I can buy that.

 

The business owner should be able to ban anyone for any reason he or she chooses from entering his private property and the local community should act accordingly to this. I would not patron a shop, as an example, if they were a known racist. This of course means the competition would begin to take business away (beginning with me). The racist would quickly change his attitude (voluntarily) or go broke.

See how simple this is, and no force used at all.

 

A business isn't "private property". It's licensed by the local community and must operate according to the standards of the local community, not vice versa.

 

Well here is the article I read. I thought I had come across this in a thread here on SF but I could be wrong.

George Dalmon, Andy Miles, Banned From All-You-Can-Eat Restaurant For Eating Too Much

I haven't seen any follow up to it.

 

Hmm, I just can't see the guy being required to take the high road in this situation when it might cause his business to suffer. On the other hand...

 

Banning individuals for bad behavior is reasonable and legal everywhere. Presumed membership in an arbitrarily defined sociological group is not bad behavior.

 

Does the owner have the right you ask. I say Yes.

 

That's not quite correct - a business IS private property regardless of the rest of what you said.

 

It's not clear to me whether he asked them not to return or told them not to return. I'm thinking the later since it's become a discrimination issue.

Whoops! I misunderstood your last statement. Sorry.

 

Huh? The business is most certainly private property. The business must comply with laws on the books that apply to that business, but they can refuse service to anyone. Just like some night clubs that refuse to let some people enter because they aren't good looking or well dressed enough.

Although, if you put up a sign that says "We don't serve niggers", you'll probably end up with some sort of civil lawsuit.