Starbucks Barista Receives $80K in Tips After Being Shamed For Refusing To Serve Customer Without A Mask
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: A coffee cup is shown at Dumb Starbucks in the Los Feliz neighborhood on February 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The new shop, which bills itself as a parody of the iconic coffee chain, opened recently offering all of its items for free. The real Starbucks says it is reviewing its options, according to published reports. (Photo by Dan R. Krauss/Getty Images)
A Starbucks barista received nearly $80,000 in virtual tips after being singled out for refusing to serve a customer not wearing a mask.
Lenin Gutierrez, 24, was working at a San Diego Starbucks on a Monday morning when a woman without a mask walked in the store to place an order, according to CNN News. Gutierrez asked the woman if she had a face mask and "she started cursing up a storm," he said.
The customer, Amber Lynn Gilles, took a photo of Gutierres and posted it on Facebook.
"Meet Lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause I'm not wearing a mask. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption," Gilles wrote in her post.
Gutierrez then received an outpour of support from Facebook, with some saying they wish they could visit the coffee shop to give him a special tip.
One Facebook user started a GoFundMe account named "Tips for Lenin Standing Up To A San Diego Karen," to give everyone who wanted to tip Gutierrez a chance to do so virtually.
The campaign goal was initially set for $1,000 but people donated nearly $80,000. Gutierrez posted a thank you on his personal Facebook account and plans to use some of the money to pursue his dreams of becoming a dancer.
