The Mary Sue
‘As a barista, that’s such weird behavior’: Woman accidentally picks up mobile …
A woman was brought close to tears after she accidentally picked up her Starbucks order at the drive-thru, sparking a debate.
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Starbucks Drive-Thru Mix-Up Sparks Viral Debate on 'People Pleaser' Anxiety
A recent social media post by Gracie Kern has sparked widespread discussion about the emotional toll of minor social interactions, particularly for those who identify as 'people pleasers.' The video, uploaded on August 16, 2025, depicts Kern's experience at a Starbucks drive-thru in the United States. She recounts placing an order for in-store pickup by mistake, only to be gently corrected by a barista. Kern shared that the barista politely informed her, "Looks like you placed it for in-store. If you don't mind, in the future trying to place it for drive-thru, we would really appreciate it." Despite the seemingly innocuous nature of the comment, Kern expressed deep emotional distress, stating, "It made me sad, now I'm scared." She later clarified her error to the barista, saying, "So sorry, I had no idea." The barista responded, "It's okay," and confirmed she could still pick up her drink at the window. The video quickly went viral, with many viewers empathizing with Kern's reaction. One commenter wrote, "Girl he was doin WAAAAY too much it's really not a biggie," while another, identifying as a barista, added, "As a starbies barista, this happens all the time. It is NOT a big deal, I’d never say something like that!" However, other users defended the barista's communication, with one stating, "He’s literally just communicating……………" The incident underscores the varying perceptions of social cues and the heightened sensitivity some individuals experience in everyday encounters.
