For many employees of the coffee brand, Ed Sheeran’s choice of store was a red flag indicating his lack of regard for the working class. Customers, though, were less concerned about the location’s union issues and more upset about what they perceived as mockery. “Celebrities always have so much fun cosplaying as indentured slaves,” a Twitter user wrote about the event. “Do those poor Starbucks baristas not have to deal with enough as it is?” another comment read, also implying that Sheeran is slowing down business during “one of the busiest times of the year.”
In actuality, Sheeran likely had no bad intentions, as evidenced by his gleeful Instagram post documenting his Starbucks journey. The singer revealed that he chose the date to promote his “Autumn Variations” album due to it being the same day the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte was making its return. “If you gave me your name I gave you a new one, for I am the barista of joy,” he wrote, leaving no reply for the masses who don’t agree with his actions.