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Seoul Starbucks Occupied by Luggage, Not People
12 Feb
Summary
- Flight attendants left luggage unattended for hours at a Seoul Starbucks.
- South Korea's low crime rates foster high trust in public spaces.
- Extensive CCTV surveillance contributes to the nation's safety.
A recent incident at a Seoul Starbucks saw flight attendants leave their bags unattended for several hours, occupying nearly all available seating. This event, which garnered significant online attention, underscored South Korea's remarkable public trust, where reserving seats with personal belongings is common practice.
The nation's low crime rates, coupled with an extensive CCTV network—growing from under 200,000 cameras in 2008 to nearly two million in 2024—contributes to this atmosphere of safety. This has led to a decrease in theft by a third over the past decade.
While the airline apologized for the inconvenience, its flight attendants were attending visa interviews nearby, where large bags are prohibited. Starbucks staff have the discretion to ask disruptive customers to leave.
This societal norm reflects a deliberate trade-off, where South Koreans may have sacrificed some privacy for enhanced public safety, allowing citizens, particularly women, to feel secure even at night.
