Influencers stealing spices for clout? Not cool, says resto group

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(Screengrabs from TikTok: @chuckandjoe)

Apparently, it also takes two to take home a jar unfairly filled with togarashi powder.

On Monday, Restaurant Owners of the Philippines, or Resto PH, released a statement condemning the act committed by TikTok tandem Chuck and Joe, where they filmed themselves stashing away serving after serving of togarashi powder, and then casually walking out.

Not only did they do it secretly, but they also squeezed in tiny reminders in the clip such as to “act innocent” and to avoid “making eye contact” because “no one will ever know,” as if they’re schooling their viewers how to steal.

“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the irresponsible TikTok video posted by the influencers known as Chuck and Joe… Our members have expressed outrage and disappointment over this video, which may encourage others, especially impressionable youth, to emulate the prank,” the group’s statement read.

“We wish it to be made clear that we consider what they did as a form of theft; and once promoted on social media, theft no longer becomes petty. Restaurant losses are not casual matters to be used for a social experiment,” it added.

They also outline the implications of such pranks to the food industry amidst the ongoing pandemic: “Malicious videos set a negative example and will have an adverse effect on the thousands of people who rely on the F&B industry for their security.”

Currently, the video has been scrapped from their page. In a video confronting the aftermath, the duo issued an apology, sharing that they’ve always been given too much togarashi powder by that Japanese restaurant, so they take it home instead of letting it go to waste.

https://www.tiktok.com/@chuckandjoe/video/6923613023206788354

Hindi po namin kayo in-e-encourage na magnakaw, kundi in-e-encourage po naming kayo na huwag magtapon at huwag magsayang,” they clarified. Actually hindi nga po siya considered na pagnanakaw… dahil wala naman po kaming inuwi na hindi binigay sa amin, they added.

They also explained the joke: “Pwede naman po talagang i-take out iyon, but it wouldn’t be as funny as ipapa-takeout namin siya gamit iyong kanilang lalagyan, and that was part of the humor na hindi na-gets ng iba.

By their logic, we should just start sneaking out endless cups of rice from Mang Inasal, right?

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