In today's society, you can never be too careful when you are out in public and when you are alone. Sometimes, people can be sketchy or unsafe, and unless we are always 100% aware of every single thing happening around us—we can be in grave danger.
It happens to be the unfortunate truth that younger children and teens, especially girls, are vulnerable in society. And, without other people doing the right thing, things can go incredibly wrong.
It happens every day all over the world—teens can feel unsafe and uncomfortable in situations, but are too fearful to speak up and seek help. Sometimes, when they are not with people they know, they are unsure who to turn to and even ask. In turn, they can end up hurt or even worse.
The mentality of the world is that when you see something wrong, you should speak up and say something. It is a good thing in life and in society to look out for others around you, even if you do not know them personally. You never know who you can help and/or save.
Brandy Roberson, a Texas mother, recently shared a story on her Facebook page about a local Starbucks barista from Corpus Christi. Her 18-year-old daughter was studying for school and wanted to get out of the house to study elsewhere. Her mother shared that she enjoys going to the local Starbucks to study.
The man, who had not come in with her daughter or did not know her daughter was talking "very loudly" and very animated, which caught the eye of the baristas who were working the shift at the Corpus Christi location. So, they decided to step in—but quietly.
It may have looked like a regular, kind gesture to give a young girl a free hot chocolate, but it was not the hot chocolate that was the kindness and safety—it was what was written on the cup. As Starbucks employees usually do, the cup had writing along the side—making it look rather normal.
Instead, the writing on the cup was a message for the young lady studying. It read,
“Are you okay? Do you want us to intervene? If you do, take the lid off the cup."
This message was easy enough to ensure the 18-year-old felt safe and if not, she could speak up and get the help she needs.
Eventually, the man had caught on that the 18-year-old studying alone was communicating with the staff and that they were watching the situation. He eventually went about his business and left the young lady alone, unharmed and alone.
"She was holding the cup and knew that I would love that someone did that for her.
It made me feel so grateful that the Starbucks employees were watching out for her. As a mom, that is my worst fear that something would happen to my child and nobody would be there to help," she told TODAY.
Sharing the story on her Facebook page, Roberson wanted to just recognize how wonderful these baristas were at Starbucks and how grateful she was that they looked out for her daughter in such a way. It was because of them that this man left her daughter alone.
Roberson was "shocked" that her post and her daughter's story went viral, but she hopes we can all learn a small but valuable lesson from it.
I hope that we can all learn from them and be willing to help anyone who seems that they might need help," she told TODAY.
In later 2021, Avery Spencer of Orem, Utah posted a video to her TikTok account of an uncomfortable interaction between herself and a man that approached her while she was working. He refused to leave her alone, no matter how visibly put off she was.
That manager was Tiffany LeMair Clark, who came over to ask if Spencer wanted a refill of her drink or her water, doing what she could to remain close and make sure Spencer wasn't left alone.
The video then cuts to her safely in her car recounting the situation.
"I've made it super obvious I do not want to talk. I mention my husband six times. I tell him I'm working on something very time-sensitive, and I don't have time to talk. He will not leave me alone."
This was when Clark approached and asked about a refill the first time, leaning in to tell Spencer, "We've been having an issue with this man. If he makes you uncomfortable, let us know."
At the end of the video, she expresses her gratitude, saying, "They were just so observant. They were just immediately there and helpful and I'm just grateful for that. So, thank you to those baristas."
Working with the public is not easy in any respect, and it can be difficult to stand up to a stranger, so seeing so many employees go out of their way to make sure all of their customers feel safe is extremely heartwarming.
Let's all pay it forward—if you see something, be an ally.
