Nadja Stenroth and son face discrimination at Kotipizza in Seinäjoki

Nadja Stenroth and her 5-year-old son from Seinäjoki faced an unfortunate incident while attending a dog puppy meetup this past week. As they were walking to the event, Stenroth’s son became thirsty, prompting them to stop at a nearby Kotipizza restaurant to buy a water bottle. To their surprise, they were refused service upon entering.

Stenroth recounts that as soon as they stepped inside, a male employee asked them to leave, stating that people in national costumes were not served there. Stenroth, of Roma descent, was taken aback by the treatment and recorded the conversation on her phone, which has since garnered over 260,000 views on TikTok after being shared.

Reflecting on the encounter, Stenroth expressed sorrow, noting her goal is not to harbor resentment but to protect her son’s innocence in such situations. Her son, confused by the incident, even asked her later that night if there was something wrong with him. Stenroth reassured him that he was not at fault—rather, the world is the one that is confused.

This incident is not an isolated event for Stenroth, who has faced barring from restaurants before; however, it marked the first time her child was involved.

Following the incident, the Kotipizza chain issued an apology, stating the refusal of service was based on previous abuse incidents rather than racial discrimination. They emphasized that their actions do not align with their values or practices. Stenroth believes the apology seemed automated and expressed a desire for each individual to be treated fairly, particularly children who should not bear the brunt of others’ mistakes.

Stenroth filed a report with the local police regarding the discrimination, affirming that this is not a reflection of their overall experiences with local establishments, which are usually welcoming.