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Bondi restaurant issues grovelling apology to backpacker over outfit slur

A popular Bondi restaurant has been forced to apologise to a backpacker after she was refused service for being dressed “inappropriately”.

Are women being told to cover up their bodies more?

A popular Bondi restaurant has apologised to an Italian backpacker for “embarrassing and offending” the woman over her choice of outfit.

North Bondi Fish were slammed on social media after refusing to serve Martina Corradi and her boyfriend on Thursday due to her “revealing” outfit.

Shocked and offended by the way she was treated, Ms Corradi posted about her experience on Facebook.

The restaurant has since backflipped spectacularly, today issuing a public apology to Ms Corradi, who wore linen pants, high heels and a bralet top to the restaurant when she visited on Thursday.

RELATED: Backpacker’s outfit deemed ‘not acceptable’

Is this outfit OK? Picture: Supplied
Is this outfit OK? Picture: Supplied

On Saturday, North Bondi Fish general manager Gemma Swanson said the restaurant has apologised to Ms Corradi over the “error of judgment” and offered her a free meal, according to the Daily Mail.

“We have reviewed the incident and acknowledge that it was an error of judgment to ask Martina and her partner to leave the restaurant,” Ms Swanson told the publication.

“We have since contacted Martina, apologised for the error in judgment and invited her and her partner back to enjoy lunch or dinner on us.

“We uphold a casual dress code and it is clear that Martina should not have been asked to leave.

“As a result, we will be retraining all of our staff and management on our protocols including dress code.

“We pride ourselves in welcoming everyone to enjoy the North Bondi Fish experience.”

The incident first attracted attention after Ms Corradi, who is a fitness model and personal trainer, posted about in Bondi Local Loop Facebook group to ask what people thought of the outfit and if it was inappropriate.

“I just want an opinion from outside Even because I felt very embarrassed and offended at the same time,” she posted.

“We did the sign in and we took a sit at the terrace outside, under the sun. The waitress as soon as I took a sit she said that I’m not well dressed and this is not acceptable to stay in a place like that.

“Me and my boyfriend we looked at her and we didn’t know what to say. We were shocked!”

Most people thought the outfit was OK. Picture: Facebook
Most people thought the outfit was OK. Picture: Facebook

Most people seemed to agree there was nothing wrong with the outfit.

One woman wrote: “Nope you look just fine – ESPECIALLY for the context of Bondi Beach restaurant!! And its dumb if people are offended by a little boob flesh showing, if you were flat would they then be OK with this look?? I hate having to be conscious just because my breasts look great.”

Another added: “Ridic, you look great – it would be inappropriate for the office but not restaurant by the beach.”

One woman even commented: “If you were a blonde Australian girl with an Instagram following in that outfit it would have been a different story.”

While some guessed her top too closely resembled lingerie and that was why staff called it into question, most agreed the woman was treated unprofessionally (even if it did violate the restaurant’s dress code).

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/bondi-restaurant-issues-grovelling-apology-to-backpacker-over-outfit-slur/news-story/d1012611d38880e72da863477bcc8fdb