Starbucks customer claims barista is fat-phobic

A TikToker describes her experience of dealing with microaggression related to her height when visiting a Starbucks.

In a recent video, TikTok user Meredith (@b1gbimbo) shares a story of two interactions she had with a Starbucks barista and asks her viewers if they think the barista was fatphobic towards her. Meredith introduces that the interactions took place about six to eight months ago.

“I think my Starbucks barista was obnoxious about me, but I want your opinion — if you’re fat,” she says. “I just want to preface this story with the fact that unless you grew up fat, you probably don’t believe, or literally won’t believe, this story.”

She also includes the following disclaimer in her video, writing in the overlay text: “Disclaimer I went into Starbucks both times, was alone and they weren’t busy both times and [the barista] was not on a headset because [they] I don’t have a drive through, I go to Starbucks often and never had such an experience except with her TWICE.”

@b1gbimbo

I might be overreacting, but this is definitely weird mean girl behavior 😭

♬ Original sound – Meredith

Meredith says the first time she went to Starbucks, the barista seemed to ask why she only ordered a sandwich. Her order consisted of a drink for herself and a sandwich for her fiancé, who was her boyfriend at the time.

“The barista who looked at me – and again, if you’re fat you know the look – [and said] ‘Only one?’ when I ordered the sandwich,” says Meredith. “And I clearly said, ‘I can have it one from the bacon and gouda sandwiches.”

Meredith then describes going to Starbucks again, this time ordering two drinks and two sandwiches (one for her and one for her boyfriend) and having to deal with the same barista.

Meredith claims the barista put both sandwiches she ordered in the same bag, which she found rather odd.

“[She] stares at me and hands them to me, two sandwiches in a bag,” says Meredith. “…Have you ever gone to Starbucks and gotten two sandwiches and they put it in a bag and give it to you? I said that to my boyfriend and he was like, ‘What the hell?’ and he was willing to call Starbucks and literally complain to the manager, and I said, ‘It’s okay, I’m just never going to Starbucks again.'”

Meredith also mentions that the barista seemed to exhibit “weird, mean girl behavior,” noting to viewers that whatever they order, when they get food, there’s nothing wrong with it.

“Even if you want two damn sandwiches at Starbucks, there’s nothing wrong with that, no shame at all,” says Meredith.

According to Livestrong.com, fatphobia is what many people think of as “weight distortion,” or holding harmful beliefs about people because of their size. It can also often be rooted in society and culture.

Commenters on her post seemed to agree with Meredith that she wasn’t overreacting to the situation.

“As a Starbucks barista, I can attest that sandwiches NEVER go into the same bag. Even if they’re the same,” said one commenter. “I’m sorry.”

“I would tell the manager there anyway,” said another viewer. “Who knows how many others she made feel that way. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”

“I worked there for 5 years [and] The idea of ​​putting 2 sammies in 1 bag is really outrageous,” wrote another. “I’m sorry that happened.”

Starbucks did not respond to The Daily Dot’s request for comment. The Daily Dot reached out to Meredith via TikTok comments and Instagram direct messages.

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