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Cafe's 'one order per person' rule sparks debate after pastry denial
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Cafe's 'one order per person' rule sparks debate after pastry denial

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A cafe's strict "one order per person" policy sparked debate after a customer was denied ordering a pastry instead of a drink.
  • The customer's husband argued that the group was willing to spend a significant amount, questioning the inflexibility.
  • Cafe owners cited operational realities, like higher profit margins on drinks compared to baked goods, as reasons for the policy.

A cafe's strict "one order per person" policy has ignited a debate online after a customer was reportedly denied the option to substitute a pastry for a beverage. The incident, shared on an online community, involved a woman visiting a cafe with two friends. They ordered two coffees and one pastry, but the cafe owner insisted each person must order a drink.

The customer's husband recounted the situation, expressing disappointment that the cafe owner did not accommodate their request to order a pastry instead of a drink for one person. He suggested that while customers might feel frustrated by such inflexibility, especially when willing to spend a certain amount, cafe owners have practical reasons for enforcing such rules.

He explained that cafes primarily generate revenue from beverages, particularly coffee, which typically offers a higher profit margin due to lower ingredient costs compared to baked goods. Pastries, on the other hand, can have higher material costs and are sometimes sourced from external suppliers, potentially impacting profitability differently. Therefore, from the owner's perspective, prioritizing drink sales is often more beneficial for the cafe's overall operation and financial viability.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.