Goodbye to Starbucks' polite rule: A new code of conduct for customers begins on January 27

We’ve all been there before, out and about when mother nature calls. Normally a catering establishment, such as a bar or cafeteria does the trick and a purchasing a quick coffee offers the perfect excuse to go to the bathroom, given the scarcity of public toilets in many urban areas.

Starbucks in the US has taken steps to avoid members of the public wandering into their establishments to use the toilet facilities and as of January 27, the chain states that patrons will have to make purchases and/or consume food in order to use its bathrooms.

This measure is included in its new “Code of Conduct” that will come into effect at the end of this month. In a statement published on its website, it maintains that their objective is to ensure that its spaces “are a priority for our customers to use.”

The measure affects its cafes, patios and bathrooms. The footnote of the official statement adds that they plan to ask anyone who does not follow this code of conduct to leave the store and may request help from local law enforcement.

Starbucks' code of conduct will also prevent customers from engaging in other actions, such as misusing the premises, consuming alcohol from outside, smoking, vaping or taking drugs. “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment. We expect everyone to treat each other with respect and follow our code of conduct,” they insisted.

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