Popular Filipino café chain Taho Avenue UAE has publicly defended one of its employees after a staff member at its Sharjah branch was subjected to verbal harassment, in a statement that has drawn attention to the treatment of frontline hospitality workers in the Emirates.
In a social media post carrying the hashtag #RespectHospitalityWorkers, the company said the incident occurred “last night,” with a team member facing what it called unacceptable verbal harassment from an individual who was not even a customer. According to the statement, the confrontation reportedly stemmed from a perceived “wrong glance” while the staff were inviting customers.
“Our staff are here to serve—not to be intimidated, humiliated, or targeted,” the company wrote, noting that the team had continued working with patience and kindness through what it described as a long and demanding weekend.
The café was firm in its response. “A difficult day never excuses abusive behavior. We stand firmly behind our people: respect is not optional, and kindness costs nothing,” the statement read, closing with the line, “If you can’t be a blessing to someone, don’t cause damage.”
Taho Avenue, known for its tagline “Childhood memories in a cup,” specializes in taho and other Filipino comfort favorites alongside bubble tea and desserts. The brand operates several outlets across the UAE, including branches in Dubai’s Al Muteena, Al Sufouh, and Business Bay areas, and serves customers largely through delivery platforms. It has built a sizable following among the Filipino community, with thousands of followers across Facebook and Instagram.
The post did not name the individual involved or indicate whether the matter had been reported to authorities.
