A recent incident at a coffee shop sparked a debate about appropriate customer behavior in the service industry. CCTV footage, now circulating widely online, shows a customer allegedly upset over the price of drinks as he throws drinks at a barman. Barista Emma Lee (23) expressed her intention to sue the customer.
This case highlights the importance of respectful communication between customers and service providers. Ms. Lee also stated that this was not the first instance of disrespect from this particular customer.
Having worked her way up from employee to owner of Taste of Heaven Espresso in South Seattle, Lee knows her regular customers’ orders by heart.
“When it went on sale, I thought I needed it,” Lee said
Emma didn’t need a customer throwing drinks at her. His reaction was quick: the customer’s windshield was broken after a 15-minute heated exchange of coffee and water prices.
“You can’t name your price,” Lee said, explaining what happened. He also took the customer’s words personally when he said, “No one will miss you.”
Pulling out the hammer is insane pic.twitter.com/pyGbEPKB3P
— Wild content (@NoCapFights) June 16, 2024
“It was a threat,” Emma said. “It’s fine if he’s upset about the price of his drinks, enough to attack me, but I don’t want to answer?”
Lee explained that the customer ordered 32 ounces of coffee and 24 ounces of water, for a total of about $22. He often tries to defuse such situations with just $20, but in this case, he claimed, the customer demanded to pay that amount.
“No one is forcing you to come here,” Lee said. ”
The claim that he did not know or was deceived is not true. The prices are written,” She said.
The argument escalated as the customer backed up his car, got out, and became increasingly aggressive.
“There was a threat after yelling, spitting, and opening the window, I felt threatened,” Lee said.
Ms. Lee claimed she acted in self-defense, citing her right to protect her property.
Despite the horrific encounter, Lee stands behind her actions and is prepared to face any legal consequences.
“Why would you expect that kind of interaction given the environment? It’s disgusting,” Lee said. “He may be furious, but I am unable to answer?”
The police were called and Emma was later charged with assault. The customer is prohibited by the department, but he can take them to lower claims to cover the cost of the windshield.
