Belgian broadcaster Julian Quintart apologized for targeting a café's packaging as "excessive packaging."
On the 23rd, Julian said, "Yesterday, I posted publicly on my Instagram story and Threads, tagging the store name and account, to raise an issue about the way a shop packages its beverages. As a public figure, I failed to deeply consider that my thoughtless action could harm the store's image and even lead to financial damage. It was clearly my fault."
He added, "Through the DM the owner later sent me, I learned that the current packaging method was chosen after various considerations and attempts to reduce customers' inconveniences. With my short-sighted thinking, I judged the owner's deep concerns carelessly. I should have first communicated to ask about the situation and share my opinion, but skipping that process and acting was my biggest mistake."
He also expressed remorse, "The owner even showed a generous attitude, saying we could think together about better methods going forward. Through the owner's mature way of communicating, I realized more deeply how irresponsible my actions were."
He went on, "I also thought I understood the hardships of self-employment better than anyone as a small business owner, but this action showed how shallow my thinking was. No intent can justify actions that threaten the livelihood of a self-employed person. As some commenters pointed out, if I felt a problem, I should have talked about the larger system rather than targeting an individual. I completely chose the wrong target for criticism. This incident has made me painfully feel the weight of my actions, and I am deeply reflecting. This is my fault for which there is no excuse," he apologized again.
He emphasized, "From now on, for any reason, I will never publicly single out and criticize a specific person or store. I am truly sorry to the many who trusted and supported me for showing such immature behavior. I have separately apologized to the owner, and I told him I would actively discuss ways to compensate for the mental and financial damage he suffered because of me."
Recently, Julian criticized on his social media account story, saying, "Wait, is there now a triple cup when it wasn't even a double cup before? Why do they really do this? Excessive packaging of excessive packaging. It wouldn't be just this company. Couldn't the operators think about it one more time?" while using the term "triple cup."
He was criticized after it became known that the photo he used in the attack had actually been taken from someone else. Julian deleted the photo and post and apologized, but the controversy is still ongoing.
Full text below.
Hello, this is Julian.
Yesterday, I posted publicly on my Instagram story and Threads, tagging the store name and account, to raise an issue about the way a shop packages its beverages.
As a public figure, I failed to deeply consider that my thoughtless action could harm the store's image and even lead to financial damage. It was clearly my fault.
Through the DM the owner later sent me, I learned that the current packaging method was chosen after various considerations and attempts to reduce customers' inconveniences. With my short-sighted thinking, I judged the owner's deep concerns carelessly. I should have first communicated to ask about the situation and share my opinion, but skipping that process and acting was my biggest mistake.
The owner even showed a generous attitude, saying we could think together about better methods going forward. Through the owner's mature way of communicating, I realized more deeply how irresponsible my actions were.
I also thought I understood the hardships of self-employment better than anyone as a small business owner, but this action showed how shallow my thinking was. No intent can justify actions that threaten the livelihood of a self-employed person. As some commenters pointed out, if I felt a problem, I should have talked about the larger system rather than targeting an individual. I completely chose the wrong target for criticism.
This incident has made me painfully feel the weight of my actions, and I am deeply reflecting. This is my fault for which there is no excuse.
From now on, for any reason, I will never publicly single out and criticize a specific person or store. I am truly sorry to the many who trusted and supported me for showing such immature behavior.
I have separately apologized to the owner, and I told him I would actively discuss ways to compensate for the mental and financial damage he suffered because of me.
*Regarding revealing the store name, I will follow the owner's decision on whether to post another article after obtaining his permission. For now, through this post I acknowledge my wrongdoing and apologize first.
I apologize once again
Thank you for reading this long post.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]