Charlotte Varcoe
A MOUNT Gambier/Berrin woman has called for the end of derogatory comments against a local hospitality manager after a pizza video went viral.
Katherine Pickles filmed a heated argument between herself and a Dominoes Mount Gambier manager after she attempted to return a pizza.
After posting the video to social media, it soon became viral with mainstream media outlets around the country picking up the story.
Now, Ms Pickles is calling for the broader and local community to cease derogatory comments towards the manager and herself – something which she said has affected her mental health.
Ms Pickles stated she received a pizza over the weekend which she claimed looked like two different pizzas put together.
“It looked like there were a couple of pieces put together so I rang up to complain and get another pizza,” Ms Pickles said.
From there, Ms Pickles visited the store the next day, where she filmed the video.
It went viral with Ms Pickles stating she never expected it to reach so many.
“I have copped a lot of flak online since posting the video including a fake profile harassing me,” Ms Pickles said.
“I do not condone what is being said on social media,” she said, in reference to deportation and racist remarks.
Ms Pickles said the incident left her in shock and she could not believe it had happened.
“I never thought the video would go viral, I uploaded it to social media thinking only my friends and family would see it but it has since gone viral,” she said.
“I have no idea how it did; I am not up with all that, I just live my life but I have copped a lot from the comments saying I planted the other half of the pizza or I have no teeth to eat the pizza with and that is just really hurtful as well.”
Ms Pickles stated the incident felt “degrading and humiliating” with her initial intentions to show her close family and friends.
“Ultimately I wish the best for him but I also want people to stop being racist about the situation.
“I do not appreciate people’s bad comments and some people were saying I should shut my mouth but it is this kind of behaviour that stops victims from speaking out.”
Ms Pickles said she did not want “bad blood” or people to approach the manager personally nor abuse him; she just wanted to see more training and better customer service awareness.
“I also find it disgusting how I have had to face ridicule about myself as a person,” she said.
Dominoes Australia had approached Ms Pickles and refunded the meal, stating it was sorry the incident occurred, she said.
“I want people to stop being racist towards him, the way he treated me has nothing to do with his nationality and we need to remember that,” she said.
“I seem to have bad luck – my last name is Pickle and I am always in a pickle – but this is the first time I have done anything like this and I was going in there alone, I just wanted a bit of proof if something went bad and it did.”
Dominoes Australia was contacted for comment yet did not respond prior to deadline.
