Skull Cap & Hoodies

(Community Matters) Skull caps, hoodies and low-rise pants – not expecting a Starbucks manager to emerge from the back dressed this way.  Because I was having trouble signing onto their wireless, I asked for help and the barista called for the manager.  I’m immediately struck that this is awkward dress for a manager but only for a second and my mind moved on.

A few minutes later, an African American female customer totally dressed him down – ranted at him for being inappropriately dressed.  Told him to pull up his pants and take off the hoodie & cap.  He wasn’t gracious or accepting of her advice, saying he was off the clock – which appears not to be the case

I haven’t thought for a while about the challenge of professional judgment based on cultural dress. Liberal biases aside, if I were the regional manager, I wouldn’t allow this. The baristas are wearing caps with Starbucks logos but not skull caps and not hoodies.  I admit I could be wrong.

3 responses to “Skull Cap & Hoodies

  1. You’re not wrong.

  2. I’m with you & Ms. Mitchell on this one. I’m all for casual dress, but it’s about respect for those you’re working with, serving, honoring, etc.

  3. Stephen Skaggs's avatar Stephen Skaggs

    It’s Starbucks for heaven’s sake. A hoodie and low rise jeans hardly diminishes my coffee experience, either as customer or employee. Which Starbucks? I wanna visit it.

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