English prof ejected from NYC Starbucks due to apparent linguistic differences

August 19, 2010

OK, coffee usually doesn't have a tax connection unless you're working on your return late on April 15.

But this story is just too funny or sad, depending on whether you're a fan of the Seattle-based coffee shop giant and/or just how strict a grammarian you are, not to share.

Lynne Rosenthal, a college English professor from Manhattan, told the New York Post that three cops
forcibly ejected her from an Upper West Side Starbucks earlier this week "after
she got into a dispute with a counterperson — make that barista — for refusing
to place her order by the coffee chain's rules."

NEW YORK - AUGUST 5: Beverage cups featuring the logo of Starbucks Coffee are seen in the new flagship store on 42nd Street August 5, 2003 in New York City. The Seattle-based coffee company has emerged as the largest food chain in the Manhattan borough of New York with 150 outlets. (Photo by Stephen Chernin/Getty Images)

Rosenthal said she simply wanted a multigrain bagel. The Starbucks staffer asked her if she wanted butter or cheese with it.

And that's when the trouble began.

"I refused to say 'without butter or cheese.' When you go to Burger King, you don't have to list the six things you don't want," Rosenthal told the newspaper. "Linguistically, it's stupid, and I'm a stickler for correct English."

Rosenthal admitted to yelling "I want my multigrain bagel!", to which the Starbucks employee replied, "You're not going to get anything unless you say butter or cheese!"

It sounds like both Rosenthal and the barista need to switch to decaf!

Hat tip: TaxProf Blog

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Comments
  • Amy
    16 years ago

    “Stickler for correct English” to the point where the police are called? Yep, decaf (and maybe valium?) for both.

  • David
    16 years ago

    I can’t believe this professor couldn’t say, “No, thank you.” That would have answered the question. Is that so objectionable? She didn’t have had to say, “I would like neither cheese nor butter.”
    Anyone with issues as irrational as that should consider buying bagels at the grocery store and toasting them at home. Or maybe some therapy…

  • greg
    16 years ago

    Sorry — this isn’t news until the barista pulls a Steven Slater on the customer.

Comments are closed.