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Starbucks Serves Up Racism To Korean Customers

Rebecca Dancer |
September 16, 2012 | 3:38 p.m. PDT

Contributing Writer

The offensive drawing that angered many (gsruff / Reddit)
The offensive drawing that angered many (gsruff / Reddit)
Instead of asking for the name on her order, a Starbucks barista in Paris, France scribbled an offensive drawing on a Korean-American customer's beverage.

A friend of the customer uploaded the photo on Reddit earlier this week, marking the second instance of discrimination against Koreans at Starbucks this year – the first being at a Georgia location in which a barista drew almost an identical picture.

Starbucks released the following statement in response to the first incident:

“Starbucks does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and has a lengthy history of leading on and supporting policies that promote equality, inclusion and diversity. We were disappointed to hear of the poor experience this customer had in our store and have apologized to him several times. This experience is unacceptable and not indicative of the welcoming and respectful service we strive to offer our customers in our stores. The partner (employee) who was involved in this incident is no longer employed by Starbucks.”

The photo caught media attention within hours of its posting as the latest in a series of racist acts toward Koreans at fast food restaurants.

In January of this year, reports ABC News,  a woman at a Papa John’s restaurant found the name on her receipt to read, “lady chinky eyes,” and two customers at Chick-Fil-A were titled “Ching” and “Chong” on theirs. Starbucks has yet to release a statement on the most recent incident in Paris.

 

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