Photo unrelated to article. [Getty Images Bank]
Photo unrelated to article. [Getty Images Bank]

A restaurant owner's attempt to spare a customer the trouble of paying in coins backfired when the customer accused him of treating them like a beggar, according to a recent segment on JTBC's "Sageon Banjang," a TV consumer affairs program.

The owner, a man in his 40s identified only as A, runs a Korean barbecue restaurant where he sells small round ice cream treats for 1,500 won apiece as a palate cleanser.

The incident unfolded after two diners finished their meal and settled their bill. As they brought two ice creams to the counter, one of them emptied his pockets onto it, scattering coins — 10-won, 50-won and 100-won pieces — totaling 3,000 won.

A decided the transaction was impractical: the customers appeared to have been drinking, and the sheer number of small coins made normal handling difficult. He told them he would not accept the coins and would give them the ice cream for free instead.

The customer took offense. "Am I a beggar? Coins are money — why won't you take them?" he reportedly said, raising his voice.

A explained that while he might manage 100-won coins, accepting so many 10-won and 50-won pieces was too difficult. The customer pushed back, arguing that A could simply take the coins to a bank and exchange them for bills.

When A again offered the ice cream at no charge, the customer refused. "You're treating me like a beggar. I don't need a freebie — take the money," he reportedly said.

The customer ultimately pocketed the coins and left after a companion stepped in to calm the situation.

A said the round ice creams are a regular menu item, though he sometimes gives them out free to children or large groups. "I offered it as a complimentary item because accepting that many coins seemed more trouble than it was worth," he said, adding that he was unsure whether he should have simply taken the coins without a word.

Attorney Son Su-ho said the decision to accept payment is ultimately up to the owner, but added there was little reason to refuse money a customer was willing to hand over. "He could have accepted it graciously and dealt with the coins some other way afterward," Son said.

Psychology professor Park Sang-hee said the customer may well have felt that 3,000 won is 3,000 won, but added that the customer could have taken the coins to a bank themselves. "The owner offered a freebie because it was inconvenient — the customer could have just said thank you and moved on," Park said.


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