In a world where the hustle and bustle of daily life can sometimes get the better of us, it's important to remember the human element in our interactions, especially with those in the service industry. However, a recent incident at a local café in Melbourne's suburb of Hoppers Crossing serves as a stark reminder that patience and civility can sometimes be in short supply.

The café in question, Little Latte Drive Thru, has found itself at the center of a heated discussion after its owner, Ebony Spiteri, shared distressing CCTV footage online. The video captures a moment of shocking behavior from two customers that has left the community and the nation appalled.

The incident unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Sunday afternoon when a woman, apparently unable to wait a mere two minutes to be served, took her frustration out on an unsuspecting staff member. The footage shows the woman forcing her way into the café's serving window and throwing a cup of scalding coffee at the worker. The barista, caught off guard, is seen recoiling from the hot liquid, shaking it off her top in shock and pain.

A customer threw hot coffee on Little Latte Drive Thru's barista, and called the act as disrespectful towards workers. Image Credit: TikTok/Little Latte Drive Thru

The video, which has since gone viral, shows a second angle where the woman is handed her coffee before she hurls it through the window and hastily retreats. The community's reaction to this 'messed up' moment has been one of shock and disbelief. Comments have poured in from across the country, with many expressing their support for the staff member and their disgust at the customer's 'entitled' act.

In the aftermath of the attack, the café was forced to close temporarily, and both police and ambulance services were called to the scene. Thankfully, in a display of solidarity and compassion, other drive-thru customers stepped out of their vehicles to assist the shaken barista.

The café owner, Ebony, has since made a public appeal to help identify the woman responsible, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the safety of her staff. The overwhelming positive response from the community has been a silver lining for Ebony and her team, who have been heartened by the support and assistance in their quest for justice.

This incident raises important questions about the treatment of service workers and the expectations of customers. It's a stark reminder that behind every counter, there is a person deserving of respect and kindness. As members of the Seniors Discount Club, we understand the value of good manners and patience. We've seen the world change, but the principles of decency remain constant.

So, let's take this moment to reflect on our own behavior. Are we showing the kindness and patience we expect from others? Have we ever let our impatience get the better of us? It's never too late to make a positive change and treat those serving us with the respect they deserve.

Key Takeaways

• A café owner condemned the actions of two customers who assaulted a staff member with hot coffee at Little Latte Drive Thru in Hoppers Crossing.
• The incident, caught on CCTV, occurred after a customer became impatient with the service time and threw her coffee at the staff member.
• The community has shown strong support for the café and staff, and the owner is seeking public assistance to identify the woman responsible.
• The café had to temporarily close, and both police and ambulance services were called to the scene of the attack.

We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Have you witnessed similar acts of entitlement? How do you ensure that you treat service workers with the dignity they deserve? Let's use this unfortunate event as a catalyst for a broader conversation about civility in our daily lives.

 

[Colette 3799]

My goodness l would be sacked on my first day. Gee l must upset and disrepect every person l come across on my daily walk. I say morning darling or morning love. I did get a telling off by an older man the other week going into the dr's as l use crutches the man was kindly opening the door for me. He said come on. I said thank you darling that was very kind. He grumbled back. Don't call me darling
Really how can it be disrespectful to use words like love or darling. The world is now such a harsh place.
Kind regards Vicki

I’d be out on my ear too lol. I worked in the disability field and new rules came in like that but when you have been supporting the same six people for many years who feel like family it was too hard to change, everyone was possum, sweetheart, darling etc. The people who make these rules don’t even work with the people supported. They even said we weren’t allowed to buy gifts for Christmas for them. And we would be disciplined if we did. So instead of a gift with mine and my family’s name on the gift card (they all knew my family well) each got a gift from ‘Santa’. The powers that be gave up and all went back to normal.

 

[Kevin. A.]

This is assault and the person who threw the coffee at the cafe worker should be charged with assault. If the worker received burns from the hot coffee, then they should have additional charges and pay for the medical bills. Disgraceful childish behaviors, you would think an adult would behave a like an adult and not a two-year-old having a toddler tantrum.

 

[Kevin. A.]

A person after my own heart. And the BLACK GANG sound like a great place to be. I can remember once back in the late 70's (I was 17/18 at the time) working at an upper-class restaurant a male customer thought it was ok to place his hand on the lower part of my backside (cupping we used to call it). Sad thing was I was trying to put his hot soup down at the time. Yep, the soup ended up in his lap and I ended up being demoted to cleaning dishes for a month. Best month I had in a long time.

I think these sorts of incidents highlight why there is a need for security camera system that can capture customers taking advantage of staff members. If something happens and the accusations start flying, you have the evidence of a customer doing the wrong thing and to back the staff. Some people deliberately do these sorts of things just to get a free meal. If you have video footage of a customer doing the wrong thing then they do not have a leg to stand on when trying to accuse staff and the owner of incompetence. I know you will have all of the do-gooders' saying cameras are an invasion of privacy. However, the shop owners are protecting themselves and their staff from unscrupulous customers who would take advantage of a situation for personal and financial gain.

 

[Kevin. A.]

My daughter worked in hospitality for many years, she was fairly lucky had the occasional rude customer. One time my daughter being like he mother. Had a lady approach the counter. My daughter asked how can l help you Love? Well the woman turned around and said. Don't call me Love, l am not your Love. Truely l maybe wrong but l see that as a term of endearment and respect.
My daughter was lucky never to be assaulted like the poor lady in this story. Just unacceptable.
Kind regards to all Vicki

There are always going to be those people who just get out of the wrong side of the bed in the morning and take out their frustrations out on everyone else. There is never an excuse for unprovoked assault or bad behavior in general. There should always be consequences for this sort of inappropriate outburst. These are the sorts of people who would complain if the wind changed direction. Without consequences this sort of behavior will only escalate into more violent episodes from these self-entitled individuals.

 

[MariaG]

My goodness l would be sacked on my first day. Gee l must upset and disrepect every person l come across on my daily walk. I say morning darling or morning love. I did get a telling off by an older man the other week going into the dr's as l use crutches the man was kindly opening the door for me. He said come on. I said thank you darling that was very kind. He grumbled back. Don't call me darling
Really how can it be disrespectful to use words like love or darling. The world is now such a harsh place.
Kind regards Vicki

I'm the same.
Thanks darl, or love, or whatever. Better than calling them poo head.

 

[BellaB18]

I'm the same.
Thanks darl, or love, or whatever. Better than calling them poo head.

Good on you Maria darling
Kind regards Vicki

 

[deni67]

I'm 65 and whenever I went to a certain cafe the girl serving me called me love. I didn't mind at all, in fact it made me feel good that she could see me that way!