Stumptown Smackdown

[stjohnthegambler]

So I was gobsmacked two days ago when a barista in Stumptown coffee on Third Ave. here in Portland went out of her way to tell me that putting my bare feet up on one of their couches was both a “health code violation” and that I also shouldn't do it “just as a courtesy to other customers.”

This is a place I've been hanging out for over a year, almost daily, for hours, because it's such a great place: Cool eclectic baristas and customers, where loud good music is played, which keeps the cellphone talkers at bay. I'm on a first name basis with some of the employees, and they all know my drink.

As soon as I heard “health code” my jaw tightened, I have a terrible poker face. But, her tone was surprising—kind of talking down to me, snooty. So, I couldn't help but snoot back, and asked her if she could provide me with copies of the 'health codes.' She said yes, flusterred, but of couse didn't, and backed down, though still saying it was as a courtesy to other customers.

So that just put me in a bad mood. I really like this place, it's a 'place I can trust', where I can do work and enjoy myself. Or, it was.

So, I wrote a letter to the company from the contact page of the stumptown website:

Hello,

Today, one of your employees at the 3rd Avenue cafe informed me that I am not allowed to take my shoes off when sitting on the couches, because it violates "health codes." When I asked her if I could see a copy of these health codes, she said, "Sure, but it's really because other people sit on those couches." Which, I'm not even sure what that means, but she didn't provide me with a copy. Because there are no health codes. If they are, could you please provide me with a copy? Or send me a link to where I might read them?

I've been a loyal customer, coming almost daily for over a year, and really like everyone that works here, and appreciate that they remember me, and my drink. I was actually really surprised I was singled out, and made to feel like I was committing a crime, by taking off my shoes. In my mind, Stumptown is like a second home, where I can feel comfortable. I suddenly don't feel comfortable.

Please clarify to me and your employees what is going on.

Thank you,


And here is Jason Overby's reply:

[begin quote]
Hey John,

I'm so sorry that you were made to feel uncomfortable at our downtown café. It is not a matter of health code violation by any means. However, as a courtesy to our other customers it is our policy that everyone must wear shoes while in the café. I've spoken with Jeremy who is the manager of the café, and he knows you well and has very kind things to say about you. I hope that you'll continue to spend time with us and feel like you can relax in our space. Could I send you a gift card as a token of our appreciation of your business over the years?


Please send your address to me, and I will get something to you right away.


Thanks and warm regards,


Jason Overby
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
[end quote]

To be continued....

 

[stjohnthegambler]

Here's my reply. Please let me know if you think I'm being 'that guy' (ie over the top crazy dude).


Jason:

Thank you for responding. I think we both agree that there are other things we'd both rather be doing. Still, I don't feel like I've done anything wrong, yet I'm still feeling that you think I'm doing something wrong.

To clarify: When I sit at the couches in the café, I like to tuck my feet up under me, cross-legged, to be more comfortable. I make sure to take off my shoes so as not to get any dirt on the couch. This is what I think of as 'courtesy.' Tucking my feet up on the couch, barefoot, is also what I would do at home on my own couch. It's also what I would do at a friend's house. To me, it's what couches are for: to get comfortable on. This is how I feel (or felt) about Stumptown: that's it's a comfortable place to hang out.

I think though, that by using the word 'courtesy' you are trying to be polite, and actually mean something else. But I don't understand what.

Please keep in mind that 'courtesy' is subjective. There are many things that people do at Stumptown that I think are not courteous, such as:

-Leaving dirty dishes on the tables when leaving
-leaving coffee spills on tables when leaving
-dumping paper on the floors in the bathrooms
-using the bathrooms without being a paying customer
-talking loudly on cellphones
-playing videos/music on electronic media without headphones
-using offensive language
-putting feet in shoes up on the couches

Please note that one of the reasons I like Stumptown is that this stuff happens less than at some other cafes. Also, I'm adult enough that if someone is doing something discourteous, I will ask them to stop. My point is, I don't see how having shoes on while sitting on a couch is a 'courtesy' to anyone, or is discourteous.

This situation is silly, and I'm sure you feel the same way, though perhaps for different reasons. Still, where does this go, logically? Is there a 'proper' way to sit on a couch? Is putting your shod feet on a couch ok? Are hands ok? What about babies? Can they, like I've seen, crawl on the couches without shoes? What about transients who haven't bathed or washed their clothes in a while? Are they even allowed to sit down at all?

Please understand that I don't have a problem with any of those situations, nor do I think most of your customers.

What I would like is to be able to continue to come to Stumptown and not made to feel like I'm breaking the law, and/or like 'that guy' for defending myself, which is how I feel now.

Thank you,

John

 

[migangelo]

no threat of taking me with you in a loin cloth? was that just a fantasy then?

 

[Barefoot TJ]

I think you handled yourself like a gentleman, John. Great representation.

I, too, am offended by the "courtesy" comment by both the server and Jason. What would be a courtesy would be to have everyone take their shoes off before folding their feet on the couch, but then again, think of the stench! phew! Instead, perhaps you could go back in there with the clunkiest of shoes and sit on their couch with your feet folded under you. Apparently, this doesn't bother them. We all know what's going on here. It's the "sight" of bare feet that people can't stomach because they are so closed-minded and set in their ways, and that the bottoms of shoes are not cleaner than bare feet. And they need to be told so. If they don't accommodate you after giving it a good try, John, I say screw them!

 

[stjohnthegambler]

Here's his reply (surprise):

Hey John,
I understand where you're coming from, but this is a rule that we have to apply consistently to be fair to everyone. Again, I hope you continue to give us your business, but this is a general requirement in all of our cafés.
Best,
-J

 

[Barefoot TJ]

Where is this rule posted or published? When was this rule created?

 

[stjohnthegambler]

I don't know. As I said, I've been going there for over a year now with no problem... Even the employee who actually said something to me knows I've sitting on the couch barefoot for that long. I doubt they actually have anything written down, because of the reasons/examples I listed above, but who knows?

 

[stjohnthegambler]

Here's my reply:

Jason:

I'm disappointed, for a few reasons. One, you haven't seemed to be listening to me in this whole exchange. Two, you haven't explained exactly what this 'rule' is, nor what you mean by 'a courtesy to other customers.' In fact, I'm left feeling that I haven't been treated with courtesy, by you or the Stumptown employee.

If I understand you (which I don't really, because you haven't explained yourself very well, or at all) sitting on the couch with shoes is ok (no matter, apparently, how dirty) while sitting on the couch in bare feet (in part, so as not to get dirt on the couch, but also to be more comfortable) is not ok.

I'm also not clear when/how/why this 'rule' was made, since, as I said, I've been going there for a year, almost daily, with no problem from anyone, including the employee who said something (again, rudely) this past week. No one else besides her, and you, seem to have a problem with what I've done.

I could speculate about the real reasons, but you have not been honest nor helpful in your emails to me, so I won't know for sure, though I suspect because you know that this 'rule' has no logical/legal basis.

I'm surprised that something like this could happen in Portland, of all places. I really enjoyed Stumptown Coffee, especially the people who work there, and I think the feeling was mutual. Except, I guess, this one employee. Nor did I ever get the impression that I ever offended any customers with the horrible offense of putting my bare feet on a couch.

I will take my business somewhere else, and I will be sure to share how you've treated me with everyone I know here in Portland.

John Yohe

 

[Barefoot TJ]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I think you've done the right thing in calling him out.

 

[stjohnthegambler]

Just got this from the actual manager of the place (no relation to Jason, I think), which is interesting because he says he's a barefoot runner! I still don't think he understands what was going on, though he's surely seen me, and I've talked to him before. I just don't know if it's worth replying to him or not.

Hi John,

I manage the cafe. I am the tall thin guy with glasses. I am also a barefoot runner, trail runner and secret distance lover. Last week, I just did my first 15 miles barefoot on trail!

It is never easy to approach anyone with concerns, complaints and confrontations. Right or wrong..? I cannot make that judgement. I am sorry all this happened. I wear my Bedrock Sandals on my runs into work and put on boots while working. Unfortunately, as a barefoot health believer, I have to wear closed-toed shoes while serving and working behind the bar. It is required by the health department while serving food to have close-toed shoes. Moreover, I would bump, knock and destroy my strong lovely feet while working. The cafe also encourages customers to have shirts, bottoms and shoes on while in the cafe. It just is the case.

It is apparent you want to argue about why, and publicly tarnish the cafe I love and work in daily. And do this in a small community that I am part of. Ouch. You desire documented reasoning. My apologies, I do not have that for you. My employee's reasoning was incorrect, and she felt uncomfortable about the whole thing. Jason and I felt bad that this happened because I recognized that it was you who was singled out and I had a sneaking suspicion that you were a barefoot runner. From one barefoot runner to another, I have seen tons of glass broken on that carpet, and the cafe floor almost daily. Our professional carpet cleaner cannot guarantee that the carpet is hazard free. Don't hurt those feet! I am sure you have worked hard for them.

Again, I am sorry you felt singled out and sorry that this has spiraled downward. I am saddened and hurt.

Have a good run, man.
J.

--
Jeremy Robillard
Downtown Cafe Manager
Stumptown Coffee PDX
[edited-I thought this was the work number]

 

[DNEchris]

Jeremy Robillard

He sounds very real - maybe he'll join you on a couple of runs!

 

[Sid]

The manager says nothing about banning sitting on the couch barefoot. Is there glass on the couch, too?!

 

[Pjruns2]

I think he is bs'ing you as much as the other guy. That broken glass hazard routine is a tired excuse that I have heard several times.

 

[migangelo]

he is right. there is the health code for them to wear shoes. the employees.

 

[Ahcuah]

he is right. there is the health code for them to wear shoes. the employees.

Point of order: there really isn't a health code for the employees to wear shoes. I've looked at a lot of health codes, and all they require is that clothing be clean. They make no mention of what has to be worn, with the exception of making sure that hair doesn't get into food, and that gloves are worn when food is being touched.

One could interpret, I suppose, OSHA regulations as "health codes", but they're really not. And OSHA really doesn't require shoes either--just that a business identify hazards to their employees and ameliorate them.

 

[migangelo]

or you could have a boss like mine and get yelled at or fired. or fired then yelled at. sent home then come back and get yelled at some more. meh, i'll wear shoes. i tried wearing vff. that lasted about 2 weeks before i was told no more. they were great for work too.

 

[Pjruns2]

I queried Hamilton county Oh board of health two years ago. It is the county that includes Cincinnati. The have no regulations regarding bare feet for employees or the public in general.

 

[Barefoot TJ]

Jeremy sounds like a prick: It is apparent you want to argue about why, and publicly tarnish the cafe I love and work in daily. And do this in a small community that I am part of. Ouch.

So if a patron has an inquiry it's called an argument and tarnishing. If you questioned a fly in your soup, they would say the same thing. Give me a break! This goes to show that this group does not want to work with their customers to improve their experience. Screw them! Take your business elsewhere, John. You deserve better!

 

[stjohnthegambler]

Thanks all. I agree. I decided to cool off and see how I feel about replying to Jeremy. Turns out he went to my blog (where I've been duplicating this exchange) and says I "insulted" his intelligence. I think he's peeved that I posted his personal phone number, but I thought it was the business number, since it was right under his job title. Here's what he wrote in the comments:

This whole this just makes me feel like rubbish. I know and understand, but wanted to connect with you and too apologize. You have now publicly listed my personal number, insulted my passion for running, intelligence, work and love for coffee.

Sorry,
Jeremy.

So yeah, I think TJ's assessment is spot on. If anybody's intelligence has been insulted, it's mine.

I can't help liking my kinfolk Audrey's idea of getting a bunch of people to post pics of bare feet on their FB page.

 

[stjohnthegambler]

Alright, here's my reply to Jeremy:

Jeremy:

First, I am sorry have posted you personal phone number online. I thought it was the Stumptown number, since it was under your job title. I have taken it down.

Second, thank you for admitting that you do not have “documented reasoning,” though this leaves me wondering why you still seem to be implying that I did something wrong. To review:

-There are no health codes cantaining anything about bare feet. There are no health codes.
-The Multnomah County Health Department is more for things like medical and mental health services. If you can find anything about bare feet, please provide me with a link.
-The 'rules' you are talking about are actually OSHA guidelines, which are only for employees.
-I've seen you actually on the job, walking behind the counter, in your huaraches, and it was fine, nobody freaked out.

I'd like to clarify: we are talking about me putting my bare feet up on the couch, correct? That is was Sarah said to me, and that is what I stated to Jason. If we are talking about something else, please let me know. I'm willing to go there, but my complaint to Jason was about Sarah's complaint about me sitting with my bare feet on the couch.

As for glass, I'll take your word that broken glass happens there, but please give me the benefit of the doubt that I can see it. Anyways, I don't think you are proposing that there might be broken glass on the couch? This is what makes me think you actually mean something else besides sitting on a couch?

By “tarnish” Stumptown's reputation, you seem to be implying that I have been lying, and or changing facts. I haven't. I've been posting your and Jason's exact words.

As for the other things you said in the comments section on my blog, if you think I've insulted your intelligence, please imagine how I feel, since neither you nor Jason seem to be addressing my concerns, nor even really listening to me. As for your love of running, I have no doubt of it, nor of your love of coffee. I don't know how you got that impression, though I am sort of puzzled, you being a barefoot/minimalist runner, how you could feel that bare feet on a couch are not “courteous,” though again, I do not know exactly what you or Jason mean by that.

As a barefoot/minimalist runner, you might try visiting the Barefoot Runners Society website:
www.thebarefootrunners.org.

There's lots of information about running, health, and yes, legal matters.

Just to summarize: No documentation. No definition/explanation of “courtesy to other customers.” No evidence (presented to me anyways) that anyone other than Sarah and Jason and you care about me putting bare feet on a couch. And yet, you were all rude to me when I complained and defended myself. I would say Stumptown's reputation rests on your actions, not mine.

And yes, I will tell others about my treatment. If a company was rude and dishonest with you, wouldn't you do the same?

And now, in my best British accent, I say, “Good day, Sir.”

John