Dunkin' — Restaurant in Arlington

This is my second entry on incidents with concerning undertones at this Dunkin Donuts located at 369 Mass Ave, Arlington. (The first incident occurred in 2019 - a description of it follows below this one.)

On March 1, 2022, about the lunchtime, the female clerk rang up the orders of older white patrons with the benefit of a senior discount. Not so when I placed an order and asked for the senior discount.

She doubted that I was a senior. I might have taken it for a compliment except it went on. My gray hair was not an indicator because she also had gray hair, she said, and refused the discount. She did not bother to ask for ID - which I would have shown if asked - it was based on her personal perceptions!

Finally a male employee came to my assistance. He informed her that I was a regular senior patron. She continued to question things when giving the discount. It all kind of left me feeling low over a very petty issue.

It was one of microaggression episodes that the small Black community can be exposed to in suburban towns. They come out of left field and turn a good day sour - even innocent miscommunications can go awry? So commenting on them may help raise awareness?

Here is the incident that occurred in the same Dunkin about 2019: (To be fair, the manager made an effort to set thing right after learning about it.)

I like this Dunkin Donuts in Arlington Center but there is one issue that needs to be corrected. There is a young male employee who is prone to using the N-word when talking with his friends or co-workers.

Like a lot of millenials, he seems oblivious to the distress the word can create for older people. I once spoke with him to explain the hurt it can cause -- especially when used in public settings like a cafe.

He was receptive and did watch his language...for a time. Then he fell back into using the N-word in casual conversation.

Perhaps the manager could do a better job of training staff in such things? It would allow customers to enjoy a cup of Joe...

First let me start off by saying this review is in regards to the manager (Marcella) I met the owner today, He was very nice and professional and I wanted to explain to him why I only lasted 3 days as an employee. When I started she told me that the pay was 12.00 per hour plus tips...... That’s extremely low considering I already had 5 years experience at another Dunks. My first day I asked question regarding some of the new equipment that I have never used before..... Because that’s what new employees do they ask questions because I was never trained on there equipment. After my second day an employee mentioned that all the employees start out at $13.00 an hour!!! I was shocked that everyone was making $13.00hr. even the new employees....... I decided ok this isn’t for me....... I went in to inform her that I was leaving and I want my 3days owed to me. I explained to her why I was leaving and in front of all the employees she told me I was asking too many questions and I’m not worth 13.00 that’s why she was paying me 12.00..... I did not receive 3 raises in 5 years because I was a horrible employee, Not only was I making 2.00 less than I’m used to but she humiliated me in a very unprofessional way in front of not only other employees but a few customers as well. This woman did not understand when I said to her I asked the other employee I was working with “What else would you like me to do” I was offering my services because remember it was my FIRST DAY!!, This is definitely not the woman anyone would want to work for, she treats her employees horrible and there is way too much work to do there!!! I was hired as a cashier NOT a baker, My other Dunks had there own baker we never had to do half the work over there than what was expected of us at This Dunks, especially for $12.00 an hour that’s a joke! Unfortunately if this manager continues to treat there employees like she treated me this Dunks will lose...

Went in this morning to grab a churrio doughnut. As I'm waiting in line to place my order I see the cashier on the register with gloves. After she finished with the register she's turns around, and with the same gloves she grabs the customer doughnut, not using a sheet or changing her gloves. I immediately say something because she's now at this moment contaminated the customer food with the glove she used. The other woman behind the register starts yelling and making a sense. At this point I'm definitely not purchasing anything just trying to communicate what I seen with my 2 eyes( thinking she's a manager trying to diffuse the situation) nope she add fuel to the fire. They need to be retrain in the servsafe guidelines if they're dealing with customer. They're going to get someone sick 😫 if they don't know how to simply...