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…?
In this post:
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?
Okay, so? It's an airport... I always see bags around. People complain too easily.
Oooooooooooo Sum Ting Wong? Lol
Doesn't take Dave long to show his racism in every post.
So let me get this straight. Making a light joke about an accent is now racist?
in France, leave your bag unattended for 30 seconds in a Starbucks or any other place and don't ever see it again >_<
Koreans do not put hand-held bags or backpacks on the floor, nor sit without any cover on the floor, thinking floor is dirty. So the bags have to be on chairs or tables, meaning they cannot be put on the side or the store. Also it’s acceptable to order one drink between two people in Korea. And Asiana would have such weird rule (bag with uniform) to avoid FAs walk with stuffs on hands or...
Koreans do not put hand-held bags or backpacks on the floor, nor sit without any cover on the floor, thinking floor is dirty. So the bags have to be on chairs or tables, meaning they cannot be put on the side or the store. Also it’s acceptable to order one drink between two people in Korea. And Asiana would have such weird rule (bag with uniform) to avoid FAs walk with stuffs on hands or weird small bags because that would look awful. Still whole thing doesn’t make sense but I can see where it’s coming.
S.Koreans are often just as rude as Chinese Mainlanders, especially the rural bunch from these 2 countries. It's widely known in East Asian circles that South Koreans are just mainlanders speaking a different language (loud, cutting in lines, lacking in manners and generally don't know how to handle themselves in public).
K-drama isn't reality.
Woah, easy there with the xenophobia and prejudice. Individual misbehavior is not appropriate to extend to larger groups. I may have issues with their government’s policies, but, friends, there are ample decent people, even in mainland China (and Korea, and everywhere). Be better, Dave.
Dave: "are often just as rude as ..."
1990: " are ample decent people, even in "
How did Dave contradict "1990"???
1990: "Be better, Dave."
Kishore: "Be better, '1990'."
Not xenophobic, being loud and cutting in line is just a fact, and it's not like other educated Chinese people don't agree. You can say it’s culturally appropriate to their own countries so it’s not rude, but cultural relativism brings about some pretty absurd conclusions that most wouldn’t agree with.
I'm not saying all Chinese or Koreans are like this, because there are plenty of (even a majority, especially amongst those who travel internationally) who...
Not xenophobic, being loud and cutting in line is just a fact, and it's not like other educated Chinese people don't agree. You can say it’s culturally appropriate to their own countries so it’s not rude, but cultural relativism brings about some pretty absurd conclusions that most wouldn’t agree with.
I'm not saying all Chinese or Koreans are like this, because there are plenty of (even a majority, especially amongst those who travel internationally) who are not; they are well-mannered, articulate and kind. But when I hear loud shouting or witness line cutting behaviour in Asia, it's almost always someone with a mainland Mandarin accent, or speaking Korean.
Don’t travel much, do you? Never ever met loud Indian, Russian, Israeli, Viet, etc?
I sadly have to agree with Dave on this. South Korea, especially the rural towns was the first area I visited and felt people were quite rude. YMMV but that was my experience
The State Department’s policy banning visitors from carrying phones and bags in overseas facilities is just as stupid as what this flight crew did. There’s virtually no other federal agency that takes such a hard line on visitors and I can’t think of a single foreign mission in DC that has a similar policy. Dealing with this policy is a real pain for constituents seeking consular services, and being without a phone can pose its...
The State Department’s policy banning visitors from carrying phones and bags in overseas facilities is just as stupid as what this flight crew did. There’s virtually no other federal agency that takes such a hard line on visitors and I can’t think of a single foreign mission in DC that has a similar policy. Dealing with this policy is a real pain for constituents seeking consular services, and being without a phone can pose its own safety risks in some parts of the world.
I know at least two foreign consulates in the US that don't allow bags or phones. They have lockers in the lobbies.
This is the epitome of Korea. Rules that don’t make sense (in some contexts), citizens who follow the rules no matter what, but who are also too respective of authority to question/challenge. Results in a bureaucratic state where no one can just figure something out and take care of it.
"I mean, what is this, South Korea or Miami?!"
If it were Miami, the bags would most likely be gone by the time they came back
What is going on with this thread? Yeesh. I’ve lived in SoFla, and frequented MIA; it’s no more or less a hotspot for theft than anywhere else. The hate and bigotry in here is just silly.
Given that Asiana's days are numbered, the real question is what Korean's policy is for this type of activity.
Aren’t they technically already one company, but the transition to one brand is taking until 2027? What’s SkyTeam/Delta’s policy? Have codeshares already begun with the Asiana routes? Do we earn SkyMiles or… still Star Alliance until official?
Asiana is still an operating company owned by Hanjin, the parent company of Korean.
All of the operating policies of each carrier remain for now.
I do not believe that KE can put its code on Asiana's routes until DL can match the extra capacity with new DL metal service.
I suspect that the original KE/OZ integration date was supposed to coincide with the arrival of the 35K at DL but, since...
Asiana is still an operating company owned by Hanjin, the parent company of Korean.
All of the operating policies of each carrier remain for now.
I do not believe that KE can put its code on Asiana's routes until DL can match the extra capacity with new DL metal service.
I suspect that the original KE/OZ integration date was supposed to coincide with the arrival of the 35K at DL but, since those have been pushed back into 2027, the "new" KE/OZ integration date appears to match w/ the arrival of DL's 35Ks.
Given that DL is supposed to receive 8 35Ks in 2027 and 12 in 2028, there should be a lot of new DL routes - and the metric is now a global measure - not just for the Pacific. depending on when they are received, 8 35Ks could support up to 6 new flights/day and 12 up to 18 but those numbers will certainly be offset by some 767 retirements.