Racism in NEVER "Blown out of proportion" in instances of refusal to serve. I saw it first hand with a bunch of Air Force folks from NJ when we went into the Denny's in Bala, PA Half of the group was white and half wasn't. Our table was asked to pay in advance. I about freaked out. The guy sitting next to me (black) calmly says "Chill it happens all the time, it's because you're with black folks" I remember this as clear as yesterday and it happened 15 years ago and I've been in a Denny's twice since. It appears that I now have to add the PIT area Mickey D's to my list of places I vote with my wallet on.