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Starbucks Customers Are Furious After Barista Tried To Throw Out Homeless Man

Starbucks Customers Are Furious After Barista Tried To Throw Out Homeless Man

The homeless man was trying to eat a meal which had been bought for him by a stranger

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Starbucks customers have reacted in horror after a video emerged showing an employee attempting to remove a homeless man as he tried to eat a meal (which had been paid for) at the front of the cafe.

The barista can be heard in the footage, saying: "Yeah, he can eat somewhere else," to which the man filming the confrontation can be heard explaining: "But he bought the food, he paid for that - I paid for that." The Starbucks employee adds: "Yeah, but he can't stay here."

The Good Samaritan who bought the meal continues: "If food is being paid and he's eating it - what is the problem? He paid for the food, the food is being bought. The coffee, [I] spent like £8 and he's eating that food - is he not a human?

"He's eating his food, you can't just ask him to leave, let him finish the food and then he can leave. What's the problem?"

The barista explained that he wanted the man to go elsewhere.
Facebook/Your Southend

During the conversation, the homeless man sat at a table outside the coffee chain in Southend, Essex, and continued to eat his lunch.

According to The Sun, the food was paid for by Sajid Kahhllon, who spotted the man scavenging leftover food on the tables.

He told the publication: "It was painful to see that someone had to search for food like that. I asked him if he was hungry and if he would like me to buy him some food. He replied 'yes', in a very weak voice.

"I bought him a sandwich and a chocolate cake worth £8.45 so that he could eat respectfully. But as he was sitting there eating his paid-for lunch, one of the staff members went over to him with a security officer and told him to leave.

"I understand the point of view of Starbucks, but I still feel this type of situation needed to be dealt with with more respect and empathy. We are all human and we all get hungry."

The man appeared to be minding his own business, eating his lunch.
Facebook/Your Southend

Starbucks customers have now taken to Facebook after the video was shared on social media. One person wrote: "This is disgraceful, Starbucks. This poor chap wasn't allowed to sit and eat a meal that was bought for him. How do you think he felt being told to leave your premises? We don't know this man's circumstances, but just remember we are all a few pay packets away from being homeless."

Another added: "How very disappointing of Starbucks... show a little compassion and give the man a break. He is a human being and deserves some respect. Starbucks will not be getting my custom in the future."

A third commented: "Well done to the gentleman that brought the food, you are a star and kind-hearted. Just got off the phone to Starbucks customer service, they are aware of the situation through social media and are investigating what has happened.

"I so feel for the homeless person - he must have felt so humiliated."

People have taken to social media to express their outrage.
Facebook

A spokesperson for Starbucks told LADbible: "The interaction on video is not indicative of the environment we strive to create.

"We are looking into the circumstances surrounding this customer's experience and will take appropriate action to ensure that our stores remain welcoming places for everyone.

"We want every customer to have a positive experience, and we apologise that we did not meet that expectation in this instance."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Your Southend

Topics: UK News, News, Starbucks, UK