RPD Defends Feeding Shamie After “Too Delicious” Doubles Video Sparks Debate Across Social Media

A simple video of a man known as Shamie enjoying doubles and declaring the meal “too delicious” has sparked a heated discussion online, prompting RPD to defend its decision to share the moment.

The video showed Shamie seated at RPD enjoying doubles and water. What appeared to be a straightforward interaction quickly generated hundreds of reactions as people familiar with him began sharing differing accounts of their encounters.

Some commenters urged RPD to remove the video or distance itself from Shamie. Several made unverified claims that he regularly approaches people for money in Port of Spain, while others alleged that money given to him was sometimes used for gambling rather than food.

One commenter claimed she previously offered to buy Shamie doubles after he requested $5, but said he instead asked for money for transportation to Barrackpore. She said she eventually gave him $20 and later claimed to have seen him purchasing a Play Whe ticket.

Other commenters shared similar allegations.

However, those accounts have not been independently verified, and they represent claims made by individuals on social media rather than established facts.

The criticism also generated considerable pushback, with many people questioning why Shamie’s alleged past behaviour should determine whether he deserved a meal.

Several commenters praised RPD for its treatment of him, arguing that an act of kindness does not become meaningless because of what a recipient may have done before or might do afterward.

“Nevertheless, I see absolutely nothing wrong with giving someone a meal,” one commenter wrote.

Another summed up the opposing view simply: “Everybody deserves a doubles regardless.”

As the discussion grew, RPD addressed the controversy directly and made it clear it would stand by its decision to feature Shamie.

“Meet Shamie,” the business wrote, acknowledging that it had seen calls for it to disassociate itself from him and delete the post.

RPD said that despite the criticism, it did not want the growth of its business to cause it to forget its roots or the people who have traditionally been part of Trinidad and Tobago’s doubles culture.

“Doubles has always been food for everyone,” RPD said. “People from different communities, backgrounds, and walks of life have stood side by side to enjoy it, and that is part of what makes it so special.”

According to the business, its interaction with Shamie went beyond simply recording him eating. Staff spoke with him, shared food with him and listened to him before posting the encounter with his permission.

“There was no deeper agenda behind it. We simply chose to treat someone with kindness and respect, the same way we hope to treat anyone who comes to us,” RPD said.

The business thanked its customers for their continued support but said that as it expands, it hopes never to become so concerned with appearances that it loses sight of the principles that helped build the brand.

“At the end of the day, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity,” RPD said.

It ended its response with a message rooted in Trinidad and Tobago’s national motto:

“Every creed and race has an equal place at our table.”

What began with Shamie’s simple assessment that the doubles were “too delicious” has consequently developed into a much broader online conversation about generosity, reputation and whether a person’s circumstances should determine how they are treated.

For RPD, its position remains clear: whatever opinions people may have about Shamie, offering him a meal and treating him with dignity was not something the business was prepared to apologise for.