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Photos have been circulating online showing people in China bringing bowls and pots to Starbucks. While there’s more going on than what first appears, it certainly looks like some people were trolling the coffee chain.


The recent Earth Day campaign was actually for free 12 oz. coffee for those who brought their own cup, which Shanghai Daily notes Starbucks China clearly stated.


[Image Weibo via weixin

So, it doesn’t matter what sized silly container people brought! They were only getting a 12 oz coffee on the house.

There’s somewhat of a precedent for this. After people ordered enormous drinks in the US back in 2014, Starbuck issued a policy in the US that stated no order could be bigger than 20 ounces for hot drinks. Also, there are apparently now restrictions on personal cup size. No word if Starbucks China currently has similar regulations.

[Image Weibo via weixin


However, many of photos seem to be part of an organized stunt—that actually began before the Earth Day campaign.




[Image Weibo via weixin


People got together with all sorts of containers, it seems, and headed out.



[Image Weibo via weixin


Though, it’s unclear if everyone in the photos was in on it, or if everyone who brought ridiculous containers were purposely trolling Starbucks.


But yeah, don’t fuck with Starbucks baristas.




They don’t need your shit.

[Image Weibo via weixin


According to Shanghai Daily and That’s Mag, the people who got large containers of coffee had to pay for their jumbo java.


[Image Weibo via weixin


So, this basin of coffee, for explain, was apparently 327 yuan (US$47.50). It’s gotta be larger than the trenta size.


I think the real story is that some folks actually got basins lattes.