Women forbidden from entering Starbucks in Saudi Arabia
Unreal. Starbucks in Saudi Arabia refused to serve women. Note on their door, plus official response from company. pic.twitter.com/d4tCSqqQOv
- Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) February 3, 2016
The Starbucks cafi(C) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has a sign on the front door barring women from entering. Starbucks will accept their money, but only if the womens' "driver" places the order on their behalf.
From the Express Tribune:
The notice, in Arabic as well as English, reads, "Please no entry for ladies, only send your driver to order. Thank you."
The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the most influential law enforcing authority in the Kingdom, ordered the cafi(C)'s management not to admit women, according to Emirates 24/7.
Starbucks issued the following statement:
Starbucks in Saudi Arabia adheres to the local customs by providing separate entrances for families as well as single people. All our stores provide equal amenities, service, menu, and seating to men, women and families. We are working as quickly as possible as we refurbish our Jarir store, so that we may again welcome all customers in accordance with local customs.
#Starbucks store in Riyadh refused 2 serve me just because I'm a WOMAN & asked me 2 send a man instead@Starbucks pic.twitter.com/6Nj6DkOtFJ
- Manar N (@manarn8) February 1, 2016