This kerfuffle over a Philly Starbucks manager not letting a couple of non-paying customers use the bathroom reminded me of the following:
Couple summers ago, it was mid-morning one Saturday when two couples rolled into Buzzy’s Country Store and asked if they could use the bathroom. I said yes and next thing I knew they had gone out to their car and returned with towels, shampoo, hair and tooth brushes and headed back to the Buzzy bathroom.
As his 3 friends were in the back, one of the guys remained by the counter and introduced himself to me. Turns out he was a local boy from Leonardtown and informed me that they were all camping out on property that his Dad owned on the Bay. I knew his Dad and we conversed while his 3 friends did their thing in the bathroom.
Once the 3 had finished, they filed back outside, and the local boy took his turn in the bathroom. When he came out a few minutes later, he thanked me, said goodbye and proceeded out the door.
I started to let it slide but then thought I should use this as a teachable moment. I flagged them down just as they were starting the car and directed my remarks to the local boy who was driving.
“You know how you go into those businesses that have signs saying No Public Restrooms? Well, that’s because of what you guys just did in here. You’re a local boy and you should know the etiquette that whenever you go into a little country store like this to use the bathroom you at least buy a Coke or a candy bar. It’s not McDonalds nor Walmart where they don’t care whether or not you buy anything when you use their bathroom.”
As I said this, his three friends just gazed at me like I was a cranky old man giving them grief. However, the local boy got it immediately and said “Hey man, I’m sorry and you’re right. Can I give you a couple dollars?” To which I said “No. But in the future you know the drill – buy something!” He laughed and said “OK. I will.” End of lesson.