‘JP’ or ‘JC’? Starbucks slip-up brews social media stir

A disgruntled customer’s social media post about a name mix-up at Starbucks has brewed a storm online – and stirred divided opinions.

On Monday, 2 June, blogger JP Abecilla shared his frustration over a visit to an unnamed Starbucks branch where a barista allegedly botched his name.

According to Abecilla, instead of writing “JP” on his coffee cup, the barista wrote “JC” – a mistake that led to a frustrating experience and, ultimately, a dramatic exit without claiming his order.

The post, titled “Starbucks LOST a ‘Loyal’ Customer Today!”, detailed how he ordered a Grande Café Americano and a Cinnamon Danish. After initially correcting the barista when his name was mistakenly written as “Jade,” Abecilla spelled out his initials again – “J for Juliet, P for Papa.”

Despite the clarification, he claimed the barista continued to misidentify him, eventually calling out “JC” repeatedly in what he described as an “unpleasant tone.”

Believing the mistake was either deliberate or careless, Abecilla left the café without picking up his order.

“Frustrated and disappointed, I decided to walk out without claiming my order. It’s been about 30 minutes now. I imagine they’re still calling out ‘JC’ for an order that’s probably headed to the garbage can soon,” he wrote.

The post quickly went viral – though not entirely in the way Abecilla might have hoped. While some sympathized with his experience, many in the comments poked fun at him, using “JC” as a running joke. Others went further, labeling him “OA” (overacting) for making a fuss over what they viewed as a minor error.

Abecilla posted in the comments, announcing he had transferred his coffee loyalty to a local chain: “Just transferred to Bo’s Coffee, a more friendly and accommodating hub for coffee lovers.”

He added a “notice to the public,” instructing others with similar initials on how to pronounce their names more “clearly” to avoid such issues. The statement, laced with profanity, further fueled the controversy and drew even more polarized reactions.

For Starbucks, it’s a reminder that even a simple cup of coffee – with the wrong name – can escalate into a full-blown PR challenge in the age of social media.

As for “JC” – or JP – it remains to be seen whether his boycott will be permanent. For now, however, Bo’s Coffee has gained a vocal new supporter.