"She frowned because I ate outside food... Did I do something very wrong?" Complaint Receives Backlash

Most Netizens Rather Blame the Couple
Fines Possible for Using Disposable Products in Stores Due to Regulations

A couple’s complaint about being scolded by a store owner for drinking coffee in a takeout cup at an ice cream shop has instead drawn criticism from netizens. On the 21st, a story from Mr. A was posted on an online community. In a post titled "Did I do something very wrong?", Mr. A began by saying that he was eating ice cream at an ice cream shop while waiting for his husband.

A story about someone who drank coffee from a takeout cup at an ice cream shop and was reprimanded by the owner has become a hot topic. The photo is not directly related. [Image source=Getty Images]

Soon after, Mr. B, the husband who had just finished work, entered the ice cream shop holding a takeout coffee he bought on his way home. Since Mr. A had not yet finished his ice cream, Mr. B naturally sat down in the seat in front of Mr. A. Mr. B then drank the coffee he was holding while sitting at the table. At that moment, the ice cream shop owner rushed over and told the couple that outside food and drinks were not allowed inside the store.

The couple repeatedly apologized to the owner for the warning. The problem occurred afterward. The couple understood that they could finish the coffee they were drinking but should not do it again next time. Mr. A hurriedly finished his ice cream, and Mr. B, who was waiting, sat down again and drank his coffee. Then the owner shouted at the couple once more, saying, "Do not consume outside food!" Startled, the couple apologized again and quickly left the store. Mr. A said, "Even though we apologized, the owner glared at us and made all sorts of arrogant faces," and asked netizens, "Did I do something very wrong?"

Most netizens criticized the couple’s behavior in response to Mr. A’s story. Comments included, "Don’t do what you’re told not to do," "They were already told no outside food, so drinking the coffee again was wrong," "Since disposable plastic is regulated, if someone takes a photo and reports it, the store could be fined," "Even drinks in takeout containers from the store are not allowed to be consumed inside," and "They should put a big sign on the door saying ‘No Outside Food Allowed.’"

Previously, the Ministry of Environment announced a policy in November 2022 banning the use of disposable plastic cups inside stores. The original law included a one-year grace period, after which violators could be fined between 50,000 KRW and 3 million KRW. However, at the end of last year, the Ministry shifted to a voluntary reduction policy, and paper cups were excluded from regulation starting at the end of last year.

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