BY BRADEN CARTWRIGHT
Daily Post Staff Writer
Lumi Gardner, the owner of Fuki Sushi, was the victim of a racist tirade from one of her customers, who screamed at her to go back to her country and that she was un-American after the restaurant didn’t accept his cash payment.
The outburst started in the dining room on Sunday (Aug. 1) evening and carried over into the parking lot, in earshot of other customers and employees.
The customer started yelling at his server after she told him the restaurant was only accepting contactless payments and then turned his rage to Gardner.
“He was screaming at the top of his lungs, the worst things you could say to another human being,” Gardner said.
After trying to leave without paying, he eventually paid with cash. She followed him to the parking lot to make sure he didn’t damage any property, and he drove uncomfortably close to her, continuing to yell and threatening to sue, Gardner said.
She declined to give a description of the man, his date or his car — except to the police — because she said she fears retaliation. The Palo Alto Police Department has not responded to a request for his description, or questions about how they will investigate the incident.
Gardner explained that she switched to cashless payment during the pandemic to make it more efficient for her employees.
After the incident, Menlo Park Councilman Ray Mueller and Palo Alto Vice Mayor Pat Burt visited the restaurant to hear from Gardner.
‘A reflection of our times’
“We both talked about how it was such a striking contrast to the Palo Alto that both of us have lived in for most of our lives,” Burt said. “It’s not a reflection of our community, but it is a reflection of our times.”
After Burt and Mueller asked for her, Gardner said she was first scared, then relieved.
“I went from feeling like this guy is going to get away with this, and he is going to feel justified in his actions and that he did nothing wrong. That makes you feel worthless. That makes you feel powerless,” she said. “When they came by and spoke to me, I didn’t feel like that anymore.”
Gardner says she came forward to be a voice for her mother, her children and her team of employees.
Gardner grew up in Palo Alto and is a third generation restaurateur. Her mother started Fuki Sushi in 1978, and her daughter works there now.
The restaurant, 4119 El Camino Real, is a popular place for celebrating in the neighborhood.
After many media reports during the pandemic of Asian Americans being subject to racist attacks, both verbal and physical, the California Attorney General published a report that found that hate crimes against Asians rose by 107% in 2020.
Palo Alto has seen a few verbal attacks on its Asian American residents, and the city has responded by hosting events reaffirming its support for Asian American and Pacific Islander residents.
Fuki Sushi. OK, well, sometimes a name is cutesy or clever, and sometimes they should have put more thought into it. You can decide for yourself.
Per John Schilling’s August 7 post: your skanky remark belies your crude, uneducated state of mind. Fuki means “FREEDOM” in Japanese.
There is no excuse to have such a hate-filled tantrum over anything, much less a payment for a meal. What moron doesn’t take a credit card when they go to dinner, anyway? And signs in the restaurant make the terms clear before anyone even starts ordering! Does THAT guy even read? Apparently not.
“Legal tender for all debts, public and private.” It’s printed right on the bill. What part is confusing?
How is that relevant to or an excuse for this man’s response to being denied that option?
Let’s say this guy was captured on video and police figure out who he is. What’s the crime? I agree people shouldn’t make racial statements like the ones alleged here, but what is the crime?
I am so sorry that happened to the restaurant owner. That is horrible. I bet he is married & was on a date with another woman & didn’t want his wife to see the charge on his credit card. Who pays with cash anymore?
This doesn’t represent who we are in Palo Alto, so I suggest that everybody make a point of dining or ordering take-out from Fuki Sushi to show our support. I’m going to leave a big tip too!
I realize people are frustrated with the new mask mandate and the social distancing rules, but if you feel angry, take a moment and a long breath. What’s the point of making other people frightened? Practice kindness. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.
Hmmmmm…they won’t release the description because it doesn’t fit the narrative.
The angry white middle-aged racists are out in full force. Sorry chumps, should have gone to college and worked harder! The thing your pappy told you – that you’re white and always deserve to be in charge – it was a lie! LOL
I think Andy took the bait. He’s reciting the media narrative that the people who do such things are always “angry white middle-aged racists.” If this guy was white, that’s the first thing police and the restaurant owner would have said because it fits into the narrative. But my guess is that the facts don’t fit the narrative, so that’s why they’re not describing the guy. They just want your imagination to fill in the blanks, as Andy has demonstrated here.
Obviously you haven’t watched the video. White Male Rage. It’s a thing, dontchaknow. More prolific that the Covid pandemic.
Andy, hate to tell you this, but there is no video. You’re making that up. (I would know!)
Manny, you’re denying the existence of White Male Rage? Look at every mass killing in the last 50 years. Start with Anders Brevik.
Andy, thanks for confirming that there’s no video out there and that you have no information about the Fuki Sushi incident. You don’t know what race this guy might be.
Which part of “White Male Rage” didn’t you comprehend? As a white male, I can see the symptoms from a mile away, including in my own extended family.
Actually, Andy, you’re wrong. Take a look at this study: https://www.statista.com/statistics/476456/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-shooter-s-race/
“Between 1982 and May 2021, 66 out of the 124 mass shootings in the United States were carried out by white shooters. By comparison, the perpetrator was African American in 21 mass shootings, and Latino in 10. When calculated as percentages, this amounts to 53 percent, 17 percent and eight percent respectively.”