A branch of an Italian chocolate and ice cream brand was accused of being “discriminatory” after a Filipino claimed unfair treatment compared to a Chinese customer.
On May 29, a Reddit user posted about allegedly being “discriminated” at a Venchi branch in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, on the evening of May 27.
“I asked for a free taste of the gelato, but the staff refused unless I paid first. I complied and bought one,” Redditor “mimithermopolis” shared on the “r/Philippines” community.
“Later, a Chinese national asked for a free taste as well without even buying yet, and they happily accommodated them without hesitation,” the Reddit user added.
The Redditor said that they “raised the concern directly with the staff” but were allegedly met with “excuses to justify their actions.”
“It honestly felt hurtful to be treated unfairly in my own country while foreigners were given better treatment,” the uploader said.
The post was titled, “Is This Discrimination? I Felt Like a Second-Class Customer in My Own Country.”
Is This Discrimination? I Felt Like a Second-Class Customer in My Own Country
by
u/mimithermopolis in
Philippines
It has earned 5,600 upvotes and nearly 450 comments from other community members.
“Free taste AFTER paying is ridiculous. What’s the excuse? I’d get the name of the staff and report to management,” another Redditor wrote.
“Tasting after paying is also the SOP [Standard Operating Procedure] of Carousel Creamery in Greenhills. Or maybe I got the Filipino rules,” another Reddit user claimed.
“Tried Venchi sa Podium, ang rule nila for free taste is [three times] lang ang allowed. They gave us free taste without paying first. Raise your concern to Venchi din, staff should not treat anyone like that,” a different Reddit user commented.
Meanwhile, the uploader claimed they were told the Chinese national’s “companion” was already in the queue and had “paid.”
“I doubt it because it was a very long line and I can see it. When they gave the free taste to the Chinese National, they asked no questions and gave it to him willingly. He wasn’t even in line,” the uploader commented.
Venchi is an Italian chocolatier and gelato maker founded in 1878. It is known for producing premium-quality chocolates and Italian ice cream.
It is understood that free tastings should not be charged to customers.
The practice is a strategy used by some food businesses to drive sales, where a small portion of a product is given away for free to let the customer experience it, with the hope that they will purchase it afterward.
Venchi has yet to respond to Interaksyon‘s request for comment on the issue.
