A Denver couple decided to change their baby’s diaper in the seating area of a Starbuck’s when they realized the coffee shop’s restroom wasn’t equipped with a changing table. Ruth and Alex Burgos were making a Friday night coffee run with their 1-year-old son Thiago when they were faced with the must-change nappy.
“As a mother, you have to do what you have to do. Wherever you have to do it,” Ruth told 9News. “I just kind of wiped him off, cleaned him off as quickly as I could.”
A Starbucks employee was displeased by the Burgos’ choice and tossed a rag at the couple while shouting out rude comments. “You better clean that seat,” the barista said, and then proceeded to laugh with fellow employees.
The father Alex was irritated by the employee’s demeaning tone and dumped his drink onto the floor and said, “You make sure you clean that up,” according to USA Today.
One of the employees called 911 and cops came onto the scene. No arrests were made. Starbucks has since apologized to the Burgos family.
This story raises the question, What is appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to changing diapers outside the house? I think it all depends on the situation, the severity of the diaper (wet or dirty?) and how discreetly it can be changed. Parents need to use their best judgement. But generally, I think you should always aim to change a diaper in a private place and it’s an especially bad idea to change a dirty diaper in a public place where people are consuming food and beverages.
