English Prof Claims Starbucks Booted Her for Ordering 'Incorrectly' Updated August 16, 2010 7:10am

Starbucks customer Lynne Rosenthal claims she was tossed out of Starbucks on Columbus Ave. and 86th Street when she refused to abide by the chain's ordering protocol. (Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

By Yepoka Yeebo

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — An English professor claims she was ejected from an Upper West Side Starbucks by cops for refusing to order according to the coffee chain's rules, according to the New York Post.

Lynne Rosenthal, who says she holds a PhD from Columbia, told the paper she asked for a toasted multigrain bagel at the Starbucks on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue — then blew her top when the staffer behind the counter asked her if she wanted butter or cheese on top.

"I just wanted a multigrain bagel," Rosenthal told the Post. "I refused to say 'without butter or cheese.' When you go to Burger King, you don't have to list the six things you don't want."

"Linguistically, it's stupid, and I'm a stickler for correct English."

Rosenthal, whose grudge against the coffee chain also extends to refusing to order by the trademark "tall" and "venti" sizes, next began yelling at the staffer to hand over her plain bagel, until the manager finally called the police, according to the Post.

Starbucks staff said Rosenthal incited the face-off by hurling profanities at the staffer.

"She called [the barista] an a--hole," one worker who witnessed the incident told the Post.

RELATED CONTENT

• Lucky Butler Who Inherited Millions Misses Simple Life Nepalese immigrant Indra Tamang, 57, who was left two apartments in the Dakota building as a thank you for 30 years of devoted service, misses the simple life.  [DNAinfo]
• No Head Butting Here — 'Premium Rush' Crew Gets Warm Reception at Columbia Columbia University students were thrilled that Hollywood hottie and "Premium Rush" star Joseph Gordon-Levitt was shooting on campus Friday — a stark contrast to the Upper West Sider so annoyed by the disruption caused by the filming that he head butted a production assistant last Sunday.  [DNAinfo]
• Starbucks Opens Yet Another Location on Upper East Side Starbucks, the ubiquitous coffee chain, is set to open yet another Manhattan location at the corner of East 96th Street and Lexington Avenue, just two avenues away from its Madison Avenue café.  [DNAinfo]
• Upper East Side Man Falls to His Death, Lands in Starbucks Seating Area Customers were horrified after a man plunged 17 stories to his death and landed in the outdoor seating area of a popular Starbucks on the Upper East Side early Sunday evening.  [DNAinfo]