Café receives one star review over barista’s disability

A Barista’s disability led a couple to cancel their coffee orders and leave a one-star review.

Barista Vari Desho, who has Tourette Syndrome – a neurological disorder that results in him making involuntary movements or noises [referred to as tics] – was serving a couple when they abruptly cancelled their order and walked out of the southwestern Sydney café. 

They later left a scathing review of the Nuriyah Café, writing, "Unfortunately the front-of-house team member had a physical condition which we initially dismissed. It causes him to ‘bark’ and as we said, we thought it would pass especially as when he took our order it stopped completely," the reviewer wrote on Google.  

"Unfortunately, it then got much worse and much louder and more constant. We felt sooo bad and really wanted to stay but when it got so bad we couldn't even have a conversation we very reluctantly had to cancel our order and leave."  

The customers said that despite being "greeted with warmth", they were unsettled by Desho's "bark". 

Rather than worry about his own treatment, the 33-year-old barista was more concerned for the business.

"They didn't eat, they didn't have coffee, they didn't even have a glass of water ... so, why would you give a one-star review? That's what I got more upset about than the barking thing," Desho told SBS News. 

"We're just here to make a living and put a smile on everyone's face."

Nuriyah Cafe owner Adam Kaakati has described Desho as one of his best workers. 

"They had the nerve to come in, leave a one-star review because Vari had a disability, which wasn't fair, it wasn't right," Kaakati said. 

The business received further bad feedback about Desho from a different customer which led Kakti to publicise the one-star review on Google to raise awareness about Tourette Syndrome. 

"We're trying to make sure everyone's aware of this, that we are standing by this no matter what and if customers are not happy, they don't have to walk through our doors," he said.

"Everyone should have a chance to work." 

The move had a positive effect, with the Nuriyah Cafe receiving enormous support from the community.

"I honestly came in this morning after reading the post you [Nuriyah Cafe] made yesterday because of how much it broke my heart ... Your food and service never fail to deliver! And huge thank you to our friend here for making me the beautiful cup of coffee," one patron shared online. 

"He [Mr Desho] is a wonderful man with a warm heart. My family and I went for a beautiful lunch and we had a wonderful time. It was so pleasant and everything was divine," another wrote. 

President of Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia, Mandy Maysey praised the cafe for its support of Desho.

"It breaks my heart that people could be so intolerant and ignorant to just how hard daily life can be for people with disabilities. I wish it was rare but it isn't. People with TS (Tourette Syndrome) are constantly shushed, and censored, day in and day out," she said.

Irit Jackson, 8^th August 2022