A barista in a bikini smashed the windshield of a man’s car during an argument over the price of a $33 coffee order – and was cheered on by her admirers on the Internet.
Emma Lee, 23, is seen on surveillance video brandishing a hammer during the argument at her drive-in cafe, A Taste of Heaven Espresso, in South Seattle, Washington.
Ms. Lee told a local news station that she only caused damage to the customer’s car after he got out, approached the drive-thru window and threw the iced coffee at her.
She also claimed that the man threatened her, saying: “Nobody will miss you.”
“After he screamed, spit and tried to break the window, it was a threat,” the young business owner told FOX 13. “I felt in danger.”
Ms Lee told the outlet that the customer ordered 32 ounces (946 ml) of coffee and 24 ounces (710 ml) of water, with a total value of approximately US$22 (AU$33.30).
She said the man was a regular customer of the store and had previously complained about the high price of his order.
“Nobody is forcing you to come here,” she is said to have told him.
“The argument that he didn’t know or was cheated is not valid,” the barista insisted. “The prices are listed.”
Ms. Lee called the police and filed a complaint for assault against the customer.
However, FOX 13 reports that the man could sue them in small claims court for the cost of his windshield.
Ms Lee says she is not afraid of being sued – nor does she believe she should be treated differently than any other barista just because she serves coffee in skimpy swimwear.
“Why would anyone expect this kind of interaction based on the environment? This is disgusting,” Ms Lee said. “It’s OK that he’s outraged, but it’s not appropriate for me to respond?”
On Instagram, Ms Lee shared some of the surveillance footage of the argument.
Several viewers agreed and said it was justified to attack the customer’s car with a hammer.
“I showed my kids this! If we reacted like this, fewer men would think it was OK to talk to us like that,” wrote one admirer. “He would never have done that to a man. What did you do to deserve this? What did you do? YOU EXISTED. You’re a damn national treasure.”
“The hammer blow to the windshield was extremely satisfying!!,” cheered a second. “I’m so glad you stood up not only for yourself but for all of us girls in the industry!! We deal with this on a daily basis! Hopefully others will learn from this interaction.”
Others, however, were less impressed by Ms Lee’s response.
“So you’re committing a crime and aggravated assault…not a pretty sight, sweetheart,” one teased. “I hope you mend your relationship with your father.”
This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission