Starbucks barista’s offer to ‘intervene’ to help young woman sparks debate online

A Starbucks barista’s secret note to a young female customer offering to “intervene” after a man started talking to her has generated heated debate.

A Starbucks barista’s secret note on a cup to a young female customer offering to “intervene” after a man started talking to her has generated heated debate online.

Texas woman Brandy Selim Roberson first shared the story in a viral Facebook post last year. She praised the employee for stepping in when her 18-year-old daughter was approached by a man she didn’t know while studying by herself at a Corpus Christi location.

The message on the cup read, “Are you okay? Do you want us to intervene? If you do, take the lid off the cup.”

Ms Roberson wrote in the caption: “My 18-year-old daughter was at Starbucks, alone, the other night. A man came up to her and started talking to her. A barista handed her ‘an extra hot chocolate someone forgot to pick up’.

“How grateful I am for people who look out for other people! Side note: She felt safe and did not remove the lid, but let them know. She said the whole team was watching over her the rest of the time she was there. Thank you to Starbucks for having a great team.”

The story first went viral last year. Picture: Facebook

At the time, Ms Roberson told the NY Post, “The man was very loud and animated … She looked up and just saw a row of baristas staring at her — ready to step in. This reaffirms my faith in humanity. Maybe just seeing this story, others … if given the opportunity to say something or turn away, they would say something.”

The story and photo have gone viral again online after being shared on X by the account Call to Activism.

“This gave me goosebumps,” the account wrote in a post which has been viewed 20.5 million times. “As a parent, this story shook me to the core, but also gave me hope that there’s still some humanity out there.”

This gave me goosebumps.

“My 18-year-old daughter was at Starbucks, alone, the other night.

A man came up to her and started talking to her.

A barista handed her “an extra hot chocolate someone forgot to pick up.”

How grateful I am for people who look out for other… pic.twitter.com/ymMIHuno9g

— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) October 15, 2023

In 2021, a Florida bartender went viral after handing a similar note disguised as a receipt to two women who were being hit on by a creepy customer.

“If this guy is bothering you, put your ponytail on your other shoulder, and I will have him removed. He’s giving me the creeps,” the note read.

Many users praised the reported actions of the Starbucks staff.

“As a father of a daughter, I’m glad people are still looking out,” one wrote.

Another said, “In today’s society more people should be proactive like this. You just never know what a situation really is. Kudos to the alert Starbuck’s staff. Never be silent and always ask.”

Many praised the Starbucks workers. Picture: Dmitry Beliakov/Bloomberg

A third wrote, “I wish that was me when my boyfriend assaulted me. Nice customer service.”

But some online claimed the Starbucks staff had overreacted and bemoaned the current state of male-female relations.

“And some people wonder why so many young men have never approached a woman,” wrote singer Phil Labonte.

Last month, a study published on DatePsychology suggested nearly half of young men under 25 had never approached a woman in person, with most citing fear of rejection and fear of social consequences.

And some people wonder why so many young men have never approached a woman. https://t.co/ttja2q6ss0

— Commander Phil Labonte (@philthatremains) October 17, 2023

>can't approach to women in coffee shop (creepy)
>can't approach women at work (unprofessional)
>can't approach women at the gym (distracting, creepy)
>can't approach women at church (no singles)
>can't approach women in public (with friends)

what are men supposed to do?? https://t.co/Fhw0chOYwX

— Anchovy Enthusiast (@anchover_) October 17, 2023

One X user commented, “Can’t approach women in coffee shop (creepy). Can’t approach women at work (unprofessional). Can’t approach women at the gym (distracting, creepy). Can’t approach women at church (no singles). Can’t approach women in public (with friends). What are men supposed to do?”

Author Rachel Wilson wrote, “Feminism has created mass hysteria that men are nothing but violent assault machines, and that the only thing stopping them from enslaving the entire female sex is feminist activism and laws. It’s insanity and it must stop. Women’s studies departments should be shut down.”

But some said the negative reaction from “angry men” just proved the point.

“Men in the quotes giving us great examples of why the employees stepped in,” one said. “Y’all are not entitled to speak to women simply because you think you can or perceive yourself as no harm.”