Updated September 1st, 2019 at 18:08 IST
Starbucks labels 'Aziz' as 'ISIS', faces flak for 'discrimination'
Starbucks has found itself in trouble again. Reportedly, a barista at a Starbucks outlet in Philadelphia wrote ISIS instead of Aziz on a customer's drink's cup.
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Starbucks has found itself in trouble again. Reportedly, a barista at a Starbucks outlet in Philadelphia wrote ISIS instead of Aziz on a customer’s coffee cup. ISIS is the short form for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. A Twitter post states that Niquel Johnson and his two friends walked into a Starbucks outlet where they ordered their drink. Just as the custom with Starbucks, when a customer orders a drink, the employees asks for a name to be written on the cup and Johnson gave his Islamic name which is Aziz.
Netizens take to Twitter
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While talking to a publication, Niquel Johnson said that he was very angry and felt discriminated. He added that the order was announced by the drink type and not the name, which was not the custom. It was only after Johnson collected the order and walked out of the establishment that he and his friends noticed that the receipt had the words ISIS printed, instead of Aziz. Netizens have taken to Twitter to share their feelings:
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Aziz... ISIS? 'A' and 'I' are on opposite ends of the keyboard!
— Yousef Shanawany (@AskYous)
Sorry but that is insufficient & unacceptable:
— Germantown Masjid (@GtownMasjid)
1. There is a big difference between Aziz & ISIS
2. Staff should be trained to repeat customer’s name if uncertain
3. Why didn’t they call out the name when drinks were ready
4. Who doesn’t know the implications of ISIS
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And there are others who joked about the situation
Well, I dont think there are many Starbucks in ISIS held territories.
— Samir Abdul G (@SamirAbdulG1)
Starbucks issued an apology
After facing flak on the internet, Starbucks issued a statement saying - 'After investigating, we don't believe this was a case of discrimination or profiling. The customer approached and provided the name Aziz. The barista mistakenly spelled it incorrectly. We have connected with Mr. Johnson and apologized for this regrettable mistake.'
We apologize to the two individuals and our customers for what took place at our Philadelphia store on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/suUsytXHks
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks)
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Published September 1st, 2019 at 15:58 IST