I am actually surprised stuff like this doesn’t happen more often.
I did some time working the hospitality industry in hotels on Canal and saw this type of shit “almost” happen all the time. Particularly at the banquets.
I know on some nights I could have been involved in or witnessed a beatdown. Things get real hairy and there are a lot of different types of folks from different parts of the city and country all forced to work together by sometimes inept managers for poor wages and good tips.
I’ve got some speculation as to what may have started this one:
– Someone stole someone else’s silverware / stemware / creamers / linen / salt and peppers.
– Someone critiqued the appearance of someone else’s tables.
– Someone received a more-favorable-for-good-tips table assignment than someone else.
– Someone became angry at the other’s lack of contribution to the set-up process.
– A lingering issue from the night / day before.
It is a bit surprising that this happened at the beginning of the shift rather than the end, after the wine service if you know what I mean.
It’s always good when news outlets utilize the word “melee.”