Starbucks — Restaurant in Converse

#SERIOUSLY CONCERNED

Stopped here to grab a coffee and get some work done while my child attends Mathnasium (Math Tutoring) next door. A young unaccompanied girl (a child about the age of 11-13) came in asking for a cup of water. Although it was only 78 degrees the girl was apparently dehydrated and in need of water. The employee “Raquel” quickly turned her away so fast stating and without a thought simply stating it is their policy to only provide water to paying customers and dismissed her like a stray dog. Mind you, I am an Occupational Safety and Health Professional, A PARENT, and a HUMAN BEING. The ethical thing to do is offer her a small cup no questions asked. While I understand policy, there are exceptions specifically when this child was clearly distressed. I stood up to buy her a bottled water but she left before I could catch her. Since she was unaccompanied I did not deem it appropriate to follow her.

I did however state my concern to Raquel who had absolutely ZERO EMPATHY FOR THE SITUATION. Continued about her business and didn’t seem to comprehend the severity of the situation.

I expect a branch POC to reach out to me as I do intend to escalate this. Where is the humanity? Seriously. This child could easily succumb to heat exhaustion on account of denying her a sip of water because of “policy”. I am going to assume she may have been walking home from school as it was a Tuesday (Feb 25, 25) 5:00pm CST.

I’m utterly disgusted by this employee!...

A child. Begging for water. Turned away.

I never thought I’d witness such cruelty at a Starbucks, but here we are. A little girl—distressed, clearly in need—was turned away when she asked for water. Not just ignored, but actively denied by an employee named Raquel, who coldly cited “policy” as her excuse.

The entire store watched in shock. Someone even tried to step in and buy the girl water because they were just as horrified. But Raquel? Unmoved. No compassion, no basic decency—just a rigid, heartless refusal.

Most Starbucks locations I’ve been to freely offer water. Many even give out pup cups for free. So why was this child met with such coldness? What made Raquel feel justified in treating her this way? It’s hard not to wonder if bias played a role.

Starbucks, if this is who you allow to represent your brand, you have a serious problem. No one in that much distress should ever be denied something as simple as water—especially not in a place that sells overpriced coffee people don’t even need. If this is how you treat those in actual need, why should any of us spend a dime here?

Do better. I would give Raquel a 0 stars review. What a...

Let me tell you.... i enjoyed this Starbucks along with its workers until.. i walked in to what i can now say is my worst Starbucks experience; the older Asian woman had the worst attitude, at first i chalked it up to "maybe she is overwhelmed today" ,( and i in wardly )commended her in thriving in her 2nd language(English) but when i noticed her attitude was to far and she crossed the line of being a mature adult , that's when things got akward, i ordered a venti Smores frappachino, ended up down sizing because of a confusion in the price, i went to go sit down and normally they call the orders up or walk them to you, well i felt i was waiting much to long for much drink.. and i turn around to see it on the counter, not a word was spoken to me about it.. i walk up and get my drink, as i sit down i notice the older Asian worker walking an order to a gentlemen sitting near me. The worst part was as i got to the end of the frappe i started to taste something that wasn't normal and i felt sick and threw up, all day i was sick after that, i will never fo there again, you should fire...