# Why the 15 second rule at Argo Tea? Any thoughts on how to follow up? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 28, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119 "2010-03-28T17:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ILION](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@ILION](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ILION)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/1 "2010-03-28T17:00:45Z")
Fact. My husband and I were the subject of a racial profiling episode. Last Friday at the Argo Tea on west Randolph St. one of the wait staff called the police as my husband did not order a tea beverage within seconds of his arrival. Yes. [REDACTED] is the Argo Tea employee who immediately dialed 911. First, [REDACTED] harassed my husband because he would not respond to her commands to ‘get in the tea ordering line’ or ‘get out.’ [REDACTED] ambushed him. She actually left her post behind the beverage bar. As he tried to move away from this crazed employee, she followed him demanding that he order or else–all based upon the color of his skin. Nice place, huh? I was in the bathroom during [REDACTED]'s rant. It all took place within 90 seconds. Then, the employee harasses me. She made about a dozen assumptions about things of which she knows not. Management has, so far, turned a blind eye to the episode. Argo tea is out of whack with their mission and published values. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/2 "2010-03-28T17:07:36Z")
That certainly sounds like an unpleasant way to treat customers. However, you state as “fact” that this was because of racial profiling. What gives you that idea? Can you describe the incident chronologically without adding to it your opinion? Also, I think it’s dubious to make accusations about a named individual on these public boards. I’ve reported your post because of this. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/3 "2010-03-28T18:04:41Z")
The OP is a rant, not a question About This Message Board. I am going to move it to the BBQ Pit. I would advise the OP to be prepared to provide a fair amount of evidence in support of her position, because I am sure that with this crowd, there will be a lot of questions–some hostile. In addition, it is quite possible that the thread will be closed or removed to a non-public forum if it appears that it is subject to libel laws. [/Modding] ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/4 "2010-03-28T18:07:30Z")
First of all, this subject is not appropriate for the About This Message Board forum. However, since this regards a potential legal issue, especially one regarding a named individual, it is really not the kind of thread that’s suitable for this board. I am closing it rather than moving it. ETA. I hadn’t seen **tomndebb’s** post when I closed this. However, I think it’s best to leave it closed pending discussion among the staff. Colibri Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/5 "2010-03-29T06:53:34Z")
And, for a Moderator hat-trick, I’ve removed the name of the employee. ---
**Author:** ![Gfactor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/6 "2010-03-29T12:56:50Z")
We are checking with corporate on this. in the meantime I’l make it a quartet by reopening the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/7 "2010-03-29T13:14:34Z")
I think I can safely speak for the rest of us in this case. WTF are you talking about?!? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/8 "2010-03-29T13:35:56Z")
One has to wonder what Argo puts in its tea. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/9 "2010-03-29T13:41:21Z")
I thought Argo made corn starch. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/10 "2010-03-29T13:43:37Z")
While I am aware that various forms of bias and prejudice exist in the world, there is not sufficient information in the OP for me to really know what’s going on. How does the OP know it was specifically _racial_ bias? Were racial or ethnic slurs used? Something else? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/11 "2010-03-29T13:50:30Z")
Is there really a shop somewhere that calls the cops if you don’t order tea within fifteen seconds? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/12 "2010-03-29T13:55:02Z")
We’ll need more details about why this person was banned from Argo: Causing whores to riot? Landing a shuttlecraft on the roof of City Hall? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/13 "2010-03-29T13:57:33Z")
Argo Tea Employer = A Gloomy Repartee. Now the pieces are starting to come together. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/14 "2010-03-29T14:08:15Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Is there really a shop somewhere that calls the cops if you don’t order tea within fifteen seconds? That would be awesome. I HATE waiting in line behind people who stand there and peruse the menu board while they’re supposed to be ordering. If you’re not sure what you want, stand back until you decide, _then_ get in line. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/15 "2010-03-29T14:11:39Z")
> [@C3](#): > > That would be awesome. I HATE waiting in line behind people who stand there and peruse the menu board while they’re supposed to be ordering. If you’re not sure what you want, stand back until you decide, _then_ get in line. It’s especially egregious when you’re at one of the national chains. Hey, guess what? The menu is exactly the same as it was the first 100 times you went there. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/16 "2010-03-29T14:23:55Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Is there really a shop somewhere that calls the cops if you don’t order tea within fifteen seconds? Remember the soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld? This is the tea Nazi. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/17 "2010-03-29T14:26:39Z")
“R” don’t go “T” “R” go “R” glad to help ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/18 "2010-03-29T14:42:25Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > “R” don’t go “T” > > “R” go “R” > > glad to help 14 k of g in a fpd? ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/19 "2010-03-29T14:47:07Z")
Hmm. Customer is getting yelled at for standing around and not ordering. Customer’s wife subsequently comes out _of the bathroom_. Gee, I wonder what the store could possibly be bitching about. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119/20 "2010-03-29T14:52:33Z")
[The only other thread started by the OP](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=515315) suggests she may not be forthcoming with further explanation. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-15-second-rule-at-argo-tea-any-thoughts-on-how-to-follow-up/534119.md?page=2)