A Filipino cafe located in Bacolod City, Philippines, received online support handling negative reviews written by discourteous patrons.
The local managers of Slo-Bar Café, a cafe renowned for its handmade drinks, expressed frustration with a group of ten young people who held three tables yet only purchased two beverages. Although the coffee shop was hospitable to them, these people still gave poor ratings on their Google Page.
Filipino Cafe Speaks Up Against Rude Customers
A Bacolod coffee shop experienced an outpouring of online approval after revealing that they had been subject to a “review-bomb” by a group of youths whom they had asked to leave after they had occupied 10 seats and only bought two drinks in the entire duration of their stay.
Sometimes people flock to cafes to pass the time, maybe post some pictures on social media, and hang out or work, but it’s also important to be respectful of the rules of the establishment. Just like what happened to SLO_BAR café.
On December 10, Slo Bar made a post on social media that included CCTV footage of Ninin, the leader of the café, asking a large group of customers to leave. The images clearly show how much area the group was taking up.
The Filipino cafe made no explanation of the particulars, but the post declared:
“It pains us to get a mob of bad google reviews from 10 unsatisfied kids saying that our staff were rude and that our food was bad when they occupied three tables and only got two drinks.”
The cafe also stated that it was important for them to confront the situation.
“We do not wish to engage but these things will happen again so it may be better to confront them when we can.”
They further elaborated on the consequences the customers’ reviews will have on their cafe’s business.
“I wonder if they understand the damage it would do not just to our business but also the dignity of our staff who are just trying to make ends meet each day?”
One of the rude comments read,
“Customer service is not good, train your staff to treat customers kindly. You’re in a business wherein you face a lot of people, learn to at least be nice.”
Another added,
“bad service and rude!!!!!”
One user wrote that the Filipino cafe staff rudely shut the doors towards one of their friends.
“They shut the doors [rudely] at my friends without informing them first.”
After the Filipino cafe’s post went viral, thousands of loyal customers flocked to post positive reviews on their Google page. Some users defended Slo Bar cafe’s stance.
One user commented,
“These students are proof that the customer is NOT always right, especially when they lack basic etiquette and reek of entitlement.”
The management at the Filipino cafe quickly noticed the responses. They conveyed their gratitude for all the encouraging remarks in the comment sections.
“Hey guys. We are deeply thankful for the support…this has uplifted the team in many ways.”
They encouraged others to show more kindness when using social media.
“We were trying to open up a conversation as we feel that it matters to speak up for our staff but it doesn’t give us to right to berate other people. Let’s be kinder with our words.”
