S. Korea Starbucks in a froth over presidential candidates' names
 

Starbucks in South Korea has banned customers from using the names of the country's presidential candidates -- or the disgraced ex-president -- for their orders, the coffee giant told AFP on Wednesday.

South Korea is holding snap presidential elections on June 3, to decide who will replace impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, ousted last month for his disastrous attempt to impose martial law in December.

In South Korea, Starbucks stores run a "Call My Name" service, which allows customers to select a nickname -- which they input via the Starbucks app -- that baristas use to announce orders when complete.

Customers will not be able to use the names of all seven presidential candidates, including frontrunner Lee Jae-myung, and main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, until after the vote, the company said.

Starbucks said that they had taken the action, which was announced this week as official campaigning started, based on past experience of customers misusing the "Call My Name" feature during previous elections.

The feature is a "unique Starbucks service designed to build a sense of connection between store staff and customers", the company said in a statement.

"We do not take any religious or political stance, and we actively monitor and restrict the use of negative language, profanity, sexually explicit content, or any expressions that may be difficult or inappropriate for our staff to call out."

Source : https://www.yahoo.com/news/korea-starbucks-froth-over-presidential-055815451.html?

Comprehension

Why is South Korea holding a snap presidential election on June 3?
What happened to former President Yoon Suk Yeol?
What is the “Call My Name” service at Starbucks?
How do customers use this feature in South Korea?
Why has Starbucks decided to ban the use of presidential candidates' names?
Which political figures are included in the ban?
When will customers be allowed to use the candidates' names again?
What is the purpose of the “Call My Name” service, according to Starbucks?
What types of language or expressions does Starbucks restrict in the feature?
What stance does Starbucks take on political or religious issues?

Discussion

Do you agree with Starbucks' decision to ban political names during elections? Why or why not?
How can using political names in coffee orders lead to problems in a public setting?
Should companies get involved in regulating political expression? Why or why not?
What are other ways businesses can stay neutral during politically sensitive times?
Have you ever seen a service like “Call My Name”? How do you think it helps customer experience?
What challenges might baristas face when calling out controversial or inappropriate names?
How does this decision reflect on corporate responsibility in society?
Should similar rules apply to other public services, like restaurants or ride-sharing apps?
Can small things like a name on a coffee cup affect the political atmosphere?
What should businesses prioritize during national events like elections?

Vocabulary

Snap Election – An election called earlier than expected, usually in urgent or unusual circumstances.
Impeached – Officially charged with wrongdoing, especially in relation to government officials.
Martial Law – Military control over normal civilian functions, usually during emergencies.
Disgraced – Having lost respect or honor due to bad behavior or failure.
Nickname – A substitute name, often informal, used instead of a person’s real name.
Frontrunner – A person who is expected to win a race or competition.
Misuse – To use something in an incorrect or inappropriate way.
Profanity – Offensive or vulgar language.
Explicit Content – Material that clearly shows or describes sexual or offensive themes.
Neutrality – The state of not supporting or opposing any side, especially in politics or war.