Is This a Mix Beggar This Time?... A Customer Who Took a Handful of Free Coffee Mixes

Taking a handful of snacks left out in good faith
"They took all the leftover coffee after watching my reaction"

A story has been shared about a self-employed business owner who is distressed because customers are taking handfuls of coffee mixes that were provided in good faith.

Services provided by Mr. A, who runs a photo studio.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 20th, an online community post titled "Can someone who steals a lot of coffee mixes from the store be punished?" was uploaded.

The author, Mr. A, who runs a photo studio, explained the situation: "There is a water purifier in the store, and on top of it, various types of coffee and tea are placed for customers to serve themselves."

He continued, "One customer came to take an ID photo, and a couple in their 60s wearing hats entered as companions. While waiting after taking the ID photo, the woman in the couple was caught on CCTV pretending to throw away a paper cup after drinking coffee but actually stealing several coffee mixes and putting them in her pocket."

Services provided by Mr. A, who runs a photo studio. The photo shows the service guide provided by Mr. A.
Photo by Online Community

Mr. A said, "She sat back down, glanced around, and then took all the remaining coffee mixes with her hands completely behind her," adding, "Anyone watching the footage would clearly see this as theft," expressing his frustration.

He added, "There were about 10 to 20 coffee mixes piled up. She took every single one without leaving any behind," and "From the video, it looks like she is very experienced at stealing, as if she has done it many times before."

Services provided by Mr. A, who runs a photo studio.
[Photo by Online Community]

Mr. A said, "Some customers often mutter to themselves things like 'I'll eat this later,' 'I'll give it to my husband,' or 'I'll eat it tomorrow,' while taking multiple snacks or drinks in their bags, sometimes even taking an entire basket. One person consumed 10 vitamin drinks and 20 snacks alone," he said.

He continued, "Because of some customers like that, I had no choice but to put up notices in the store, but they still sneakily steal three times while checking if the owner is watching, which makes me angry," and asked, "I don't want to stop providing services because of such customers, but can I report this to the police with CCTV footage and photos and have them punished for theft?"

Netizens who saw the post responded with comments such as "They are no different from beggars, so pathetic," "Their lack of education shows," "How much can coffee mixes cost to behave like that?" "They seem to know it's shameful from the way they look around, but it's amazing they actually do it," and "The beggar mentality never goes away."

Taking free supplies repeatedly can lead to punishment

A post certifying the 'Straw Thief' challenge that was popular in 2017.
[Photo by Instagram, captured from the hashtag 'Straw Thief']

Meanwhile, Mr. A is not the only business owner troubled by customers taking items provided in the store.

In 2017, a post about "straw thieves" went viral on social media. It became a trend to take a handful of straws after ordering a drink at a cafe and post photos as proof.

Mr. B, who worked part-time at a franchise coffee shop for a long time, said, "These items are provided for customers' convenience, but many people take them for granted and help themselves," adding, "If it weren't a problem, why would all cafes have the phrase 'For store use only' on their cups?"

He continued, "Many people take more than ten straws at once," and "It's better if they take them secretly. But many even boldly ask, 'My child will use these at home, so please give me more straws.' It's really awkward to handle such requests when busy making coffee."

Meanwhile, repeatedly taking free drinks, napkins, straws, and other supplies provided at business establishments can be punished as theft. The Criminal Act states that anyone who steals another person's property can be sentenced to up to six years in prison or fined up to 10 million won. Theft refers to taking property possessed by another person against the possessor's will and bringing it to oneself or giving it to someone else. Items provided in stores are clearly the property of the business and the owner who possess them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.