SEPANG: A Starbucks barista has been dismissed after a video showing her uttering the word 'bodoh' (stupid) at two foreign customers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) outlet went viral on social media.
The short clip, which has been widely circulated, shows the woman appearing frustrated as the tourists struggled to place their orders.
She explained that the beverage requested was only available during an October promotion and not on the current menu, before pointing to another drink.
She was then heard muttering 'bodoh'.
The incident drew widespread criticism online, with many netizens condemning her behaviour as unprofessional.
Starbucks Malaysia, in a statement yesterday, said it had taken immediate action following an internal review of the matter.
"We deeply regret that the behaviour displayed by the barista involved does not reflect the values we uphold at Starbucks.
"We are committed to creating a welcoming environment for all customers, regardless of their background, nationality, or the language they speak," it said.
The company confirmed the barista's dismissal, effective Sept 21, and said it was reinforcing training programmes to strengthen cultural sensitivity, respectful communication, and customer service standards.
"We sincerely apologise to the customer involved and to the public for this incident.
"At Starbucks, respect is non-negotiable," it added.
Source: nstviral-starbucks-barista-dismissed-after-calling-customers-bodoh