A Starbucks barista has been terminated after a viral video showed her muttering “bodoh” (stupid) at two foreign customers struggling to place an order at the KLIA2 outlet.
Starbucks barista loses her job
The clip, which quickly made the rounds on social media, showed a female barista looking visibly impatient as two Chinese tourists, who spoke limited English, trying to order a promotional drink that was no longer available.
Image credits: Douyin
In the video, the tourists were seen using their phones trying to translate and reiterate what they mean, while the barista was seen being snarky. To no surprise, the incident sparked widespread criticism online for the barista’s unprofessional behaviour.
In response, Starbucks Malaysia confirmed on Monday (22 September) that the staff member had been dismissed effective 21 September. “At Starbucks, respect is non-negotiable,” the company said in a statement.
Image credits: Douyin
Taking accountability
“We deeply regret that the behaviour displayed does not reflect the values we uphold. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment for all customers, regardless of background, nationality, or language,” it added.
Image credits: Starbucks Malaysia
The coffee chain also apologised to the affected customers and the public, pledging to strengthen employee training on cultural sensitivity, respectful communication, and customer service standards.
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