Owner of a Small Coffee Shop... Requests 'One Person, One Menu'
Mother and Daughter Leave Cafe After Complaining, Demand Compensation from Headquarters
A low-priced coffee shop owner demanded that customers place a so-called 'one person, one menu' order, but ended up being asked for a refund, sparking controversy. The one person, one menu policy is a rule in cafes or restaurants requiring customers to order at least one menu item each. This principle allows cafes or restaurants to receive more orders, thereby increasing sales and boosting profits from their operations.
This is a reference photo to help understand the article and is unrelated to the content of the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the 13th, a post titled 'Low-priced Coffee Shop's Rude Customer' was uploaded on an online community, drawing attention. The author, A, a self-employed coffee shop owner, began by saying, "A young woman in her 20s visited the cafe with her mother."
A said, "The store I run sells low-priced coffee at only 1,500 won per cup," and explained the situation: "That day, there were many customers and no seats available. The two of them came and ordered only one Americano through the kiosk, so I asked them to order one menu item per person if they wanted to use the store."
However, despite A's request, the mother and daughter did not order the remaining cup even after 30 minutes. A then approached them again and announced, "If you want to use the store, you need to order one more cup." Upon hearing this, the mother and daughter became furious and left the store, saying they would leave. Later, when they returned to the store, they questioned A about where the notice regarding the 'one person, one menu' policy was posted. A insisted, "It is written on the kiosk." After confirming that the related information was posted on the kiosk, the mother and daughter left the store grumbling without any apology.
Just when A thought the situation had settled, the next day, A received a call from the head office supervisor informing that a complaint had been filed, leaving A bewildered. A said, "I was very upset but endured it. Then the head office supervisor called the next day," and added, "They said a complaint was filed, and the customer said the 'one person, one menu' demand made them feel very bad and requested compensation for mental distress." A continued, "When I asked what kind of compensation they wanted, they said they wanted a refund and a gifticon as compensation for mental distress."
A said, "The head office also drew the line, saying that the one person, one menu policy is a principle when using the store and that compensation cannot be provided," and added, "There are too many difficult customers for low-priced coffee."
Netizens who read the story reacted with comments such as, "Do they really want to act so rudely over a 1,500 won coffee?", "There are various types of power trips," "It seems low-priced coffee shops have particularly many difficult customers," and "Since they are the same age, they must be mother and daughter."
This is a reference photo to aid understanding of the article and is unrelated to the content. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the other hand, some netizens responded, "If it was a mother and daughter visiting, they could have been considerate and just served one cup," "Even if it's less than 2,000 won, it can be a precious amount to someone," and "I don't understand why they insist so much on the one person, one menu policy."
Recently, controversies related to the one person, one menu policy have continued on social media and online communities. In August last year, a story spread that three people visited a cafe and ordered two drinks and one dessert (cake), but since desserts were not included in the one person, one menu policy, they had to order one more drink, causing public outrage.
B, a self-employed cafe owner, said, "Forcing customers to order drinks or food can cause discomfort," but added, "During busy or crowded times, many self-employed owners have no choice but to implement the 'one person, one menu' policy to efficiently use the store's seating. Since desserts have almost no profit margin, we also ask customers to order drinks."
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