I know Starbucks stores usually have pretty generous policies in terms of how long customers can linger around for, but this seems like a bit much, no…?
Asiana crews use Starbucks for bag storage during visa interviews
The Korea Herald reports on how pictures circulating online show a Starbucks store in South Korea where virtually all the seats are filled with bags. Huh, what’s going on here, exactly?!
The picture in question is of the Starbucks Reserve location near Gwanghwamun Square, which happens to be located near the United States Embassy in Seoul.
On at least five occasions in recent weeks, somewhere around 30 Asiana flight attendants have shown up at the store, only to dump their bags and then leave. The dozens of people would reportedly collectively order a total of five to ten drinks, while everyone would place their bags in chairs and on tables, preventing other customers from using them.
So, what’s the logic here? The flight attendants were reportedly in the area for visa interviews at the US embassy, and the embassy bans bringing luggage for security reasons (fair enough). However, it’s reported that flight attendants have to attend interviews in their uniforms, and airline regulations require flight attendants to carry luggage as part of their uniforms even when not flying.
Historically, airlines have arranged buses to store luggage during embassy visits, but the carrier reportedly suspended that service in recent times. Following the negative attention that this received, the airline apologized, and vowed to strengthen staff training regarding this (though, ummm, it sounds like they should just make accommodations for storing luggage?).
Starbucks is known for its lenient policy for using seating for an extended period of time, especially compared to other cafes in the country. It’s not an issue for people to spend extended periods of time working there. However, to essentially dump all your belongings there seems for hours exhibits a next-level lack of consideration for others. I mean, what is this, South Korea or Miami?!
A spokesperson for Starbucks in Korea stated that “customers are informed that leaving seats unattended for long periods carries risks of theft or loss, and we ask them to take their belongings with them when they leave.”
How does anyone find this to be an acceptable practice?
Admittedly cultural norms differ around the world, so I’m trying not to take the approach of “this isn’t how I’d do it, so I don’t understand why this is how they’d do it.” However:
- Why does Asiana have a policy of requiring flight attendants to bring their bags to visa appointments, when they can’t actually take them into the embassy? Is it because they’re operating flights before or after (I would assume not), or what? And how can the company not propose a solution for what should be done with bags during that period?
- What’s the benefit of placing the bags on top of all of the furniture in Starbucks, rather than just stacking them in a corner, so that other people can use the seating? Do they feel that makes it more “legitimate?”
- Does anyone think this isn’t absurdly disrespectful toward other potential guests? Is there some difference in culture I’m missing here, because this just objectively seems awful?
- This is not a question, but it obviously shows what a high-trust society South Korea is, when you feel the safest place to store your belongings is just in a publicly accessible Starbucks in a city
- I can’t believe the Starbucks store let this happen five times before saying “enough is enough,” and bringing this to an end
Bottom line
Asiana flight attendants decided to use a Starbucks Reserve location in Seoul for baggage storage, while visiting the nearby US embassy for visa interviews. For whatever reason, Asiana requires flight attendants to travel with their bags while in uniform, even if they’re going somewhere that specifically bans bags.
Amazingly, it took five separate trips where dozens of Asiana flight attendants stored their bags all over the Starbucks store before they were told to knock it off.
What do you make of this strange Asiana flight attendant Starbucks situation?
