Articles by Melody Heald - The Daily Dot https://www.dailydot.com/author/melody-heald/ The Daily Dot | Your Internet. Your Internet news. Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:46:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 ‘I thought it was rude if I closed my eyes’: Dentist office issues reminder to close your eyes when you’re getting work done https://www.dailydot.com/news/should-you-close-eyes-at-dentist/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1633896

To avoid eye contact or make eye contact with your dentist while getting work done? It's likely an internal debate you've experienced while at the dentist. You may feel rude if you close your eyes, essentially shutting yourself off to your dentist. On the flip side, you may make the dentist uneasy if you are staring at them the whole time while they are prodding around in your mouth. A good middle ground seems to be eyes open while looking elsewhere.

An Arizona-based dental office sparked this debate in the comments section of its video on this topic. Flagstaff Dentistry 4 Kids (@flagstaffdentistry4kids) posted its video on July 23. It has amassed 2.9 million views already.

Using the Sabrina Carpenter’s bop, “Please Please Please,” Flagstaff Dentistry 4 Kids jokingly shared the request: Please close your eyes when getting work done.

In the video, as the dentist works on the “patient’s” teeth, the patient is staring at them. The dentist wears a reminder that's taped to their glasses. “Plz close ur eyes,” the note reads.

@flagstaffdentistry4kids 👁️👄👁️ #dentalassistant #dentist #dentistsoftiktok ♬ Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter

Viewers weigh in

Dental patients weighed in on whether or not they close their eyes. Surprisingly, many think it's more awkward to close their eyes.

“NO WAY PEOPLE CLOSE THEIR EYES I THOUGHT IT WAS ALWAYS AWKWARD AVOIDING EYE CONTACT,” one viewer said.

“I thought it was rude if I closed my eyes,” a second agreed.

Most viewers said they keep their eyes open, but they don't stare at the dentist.

“I study those ceiling tiles like I’m taking the SAT,” one user commented.

"I just look at a random light," another said.

"Nope sorry closing my eyes makes me feel everything you're doing 10x more. I gotta find something to stare and disassociate at," a third wrote.

So, most people agree it's kind of weird to stare down your dentist while they are working on your teeth for 45 minutes. What object you choose to fixate on, however, is totally up to you.

The Daily Dot reached out to @flagstaffdentistry4kids via TikTok comment and direct message.

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The post ‘I thought it was rude if I closed my eyes’: Dentist office issues reminder to close your eyes when you’re getting work done appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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To avoid eye contact or make eye contact with your dentist while getting work done? It's likely an internal debate you've experienced while at the dentist. You may feel rude if you close your eyes, essentially shutting yourself off to your dentist. On the flip side, you may make the dentist uneasy if you are staring at them the whole time while they are prodding around in your mouth. A good middle ground seems to be eyes open while looking elsewhere.

An Arizona-based dental office sparked this debate in the comments section of its video on this topic. Flagstaff Dentistry 4 Kids (@flagstaffdentistry4kids) posted its video on July 23. It has amassed 2.9 million views already.

Using the Sabrina Carpenter’s bop, “Please Please Please,” Flagstaff Dentistry 4 Kids jokingly shared the request: Please close your eyes when getting work done.

In the video, as the dentist works on the “patient’s” teeth, the patient is staring at them. The dentist wears a reminder that's taped to their glasses. “Plz close ur eyes,” the note reads.

@flagstaffdentistry4kids 👁️👄👁️ #dentalassistant #dentist #dentistsoftiktok ♬ Please Please Please - Sabrina Carpenter

Viewers weigh in

Dental patients weighed in on whether or not they close their eyes. Surprisingly, many think it's more awkward to close their eyes.

“NO WAY PEOPLE CLOSE THEIR EYES I THOUGHT IT WAS ALWAYS AWKWARD AVOIDING EYE CONTACT,” one viewer said.

“I thought it was rude if I closed my eyes,” a second agreed.

Most viewers said they keep their eyes open, but they don't stare at the dentist.

“I study those ceiling tiles like I’m taking the SAT,” one user commented.

"I just look at a random light," another said.

"Nope sorry closing my eyes makes me feel everything you're doing 10x more. I gotta find something to stare and disassociate at," a third wrote.

So, most people agree it's kind of weird to stare down your dentist while they are working on your teeth for 45 minutes. What object you choose to fixate on, however, is totally up to you.

The Daily Dot reached out to @flagstaffdentistry4kids via TikTok comment and direct message.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘I thought it was rude if I closed my eyes’: Dentist office issues reminder to close your eyes when you’re getting work done appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘I have bad news for you’: Expert warns against setting multiple alarms in the morning https://www.dailydot.com/news/multiple-alarms-psa/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1633917 woman in scrubs with caption "Why you shouldn't set multiple morning alarms" (l&r) woman reaching for phone from bed (c)

If you're a heavy sleeper, you likely set multiple alarms to ensure you will wake up in the morning. However, a nurse says that setting more than one alarm may be doing more harm than good. In a viral TikTok, she explains why it can harm your sleep cycle and cause you to feel more exhausted than refreshed.

TikTok user Jordan (@jordan.bruss) says she's a nurse. She uses her platform to promote a healthy lifestyle. “If you’re somebody who sets multiple alarms, I have bad news for you,” she says in one of her most viral videos.

The TikTok was viewed over 1.5 million times.

The bad news is that “waking to multiple alarms every morning really disrupts your REM cycle frequently,” she says. 

What is REM sleep?

According to the Sleep Foundation, "Most adults need about two hours of REM sleep each night." "During REM sleep, your eyes move rapidly behind your closed eyes," the Sleep Foundation notes. Hence the name: Rapid Eye Movement Sleep. It's the fourth and final phase of sleep and is very important. According to the Sleep Foundation, it "plays a role in memory consolidation, emotional processing, brain development, and dreaming."

So when your alarm goes off, it can disrupt this cycle of sleep, according to Jordan. “This causes sleep inertia, increased drowsiness, fatigue, mood swings, and it also raises your cortisol levels,” the content creator elaborates.

“Every time that alarm goes off, you're in that flight or flight response," she says. "So, waking up like that multiple times in the morning is very stressful."

What is sleep inertia?

According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep inertia is “the groggy feeling upon waking, caused by abrupt disruption of sleep.” Sleep inertia reduces reaction time; inhibits short-term memory; and impairs cognitive functions, such as thinking, reasoning, remembering, and learning. 

So what should you do instead?

Jordan recommends waking up as soon as your first alarm goes off.

“Get up! Don’t keep traumatizing yourself," Jordan says.

Newsweek spoke with several sleep psychologists, and their remarks reiterate what Jordan said in her video. The experts recommend using light to wake up instead. Katherine Hall, a sleep psychologist, recommends getting a sunrise alarm clock instead.

"A sunrise alarm clock mimics a natural sunrise by gradually intensifying light, providing a gentle awakening similar to the body's response to daylight," Hall told Newsweek. "This gradual start allows for a more calming awakening which is less likely to leave you feeling groggy."

If you don't want a sunrise alarm clock, however, Hall's advice is similar to Jordan's: Stick to one alarm. Hall also recommends choosing a clam ringer and placing it away from you so that you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

@jordan.bruss Good sleep hygiene is a big part of my physical and mental health. I promise I would not be in the shape I am in without doing some serious research in the deep sleep department. Don't cause yourself extra physical and mental stress. Excess cortisol levels make you gain and hang on to weight. So when the alarm goes off, it's time, get up. You'll look and feel better! #fyp #sleep #sleephygiene #cortisol #cortisollevels #healthylifestyle #healthcoach #lifecoach #nursecoach ♬ original sound - Jordan

Multiple alarm setters weighed in

Jordan's video amassed 1.2 million views. It doesn't seem like the multiple alarm setters will be changing their ways anytime soon.

“But when you go back to sleep after the first one it’s the best feeling,” the top comment reads.

“Jokes on you, I sleep through the alarms and that's why I need several. can't have sleep inertia if you don't wake up,” a second remarked.

One woman who uses a sunrise alarm clock also weighed in. "A sunrise alarm clock changed my life! It works and it’s the most peaceful way to wake up. The first day I woke up I literally woke up with a smile on my face," she shared.

The Daily Dot reached out to Jordan via Instagram direct message.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

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The post ‘I have bad news for you’: Expert warns against setting multiple alarms in the morning appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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woman in scrubs with caption "Why you shouldn't set multiple morning alarms" (l&r) woman reaching for phone from bed (c)

If you're a heavy sleeper, you likely set multiple alarms to ensure you will wake up in the morning. However, a nurse says that setting more than one alarm may be doing more harm than good. In a viral TikTok, she explains why it can harm your sleep cycle and cause you to feel more exhausted than refreshed.

TikTok user Jordan (@jordan.bruss) says she's a nurse. She uses her platform to promote a healthy lifestyle. “If you’re somebody who sets multiple alarms, I have bad news for you,” she says in one of her most viral videos.

The TikTok was viewed over 1.5 million times.

The bad news is that “waking to multiple alarms every morning really disrupts your REM cycle frequently,” she says. 

What is REM sleep?

According to the Sleep Foundation, "Most adults need about two hours of REM sleep each night." "During REM sleep, your eyes move rapidly behind your closed eyes," the Sleep Foundation notes. Hence the name: Rapid Eye Movement Sleep. It's the fourth and final phase of sleep and is very important. According to the Sleep Foundation, it "plays a role in memory consolidation, emotional processing, brain development, and dreaming."

So when your alarm goes off, it can disrupt this cycle of sleep, according to Jordan. “This causes sleep inertia, increased drowsiness, fatigue, mood swings, and it also raises your cortisol levels,” the content creator elaborates.

“Every time that alarm goes off, you're in that flight or flight response," she says. "So, waking up like that multiple times in the morning is very stressful."

What is sleep inertia?

According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep inertia is “the groggy feeling upon waking, caused by abrupt disruption of sleep.” Sleep inertia reduces reaction time; inhibits short-term memory; and impairs cognitive functions, such as thinking, reasoning, remembering, and learning. 

So what should you do instead?

Jordan recommends waking up as soon as your first alarm goes off.

“Get up! Don’t keep traumatizing yourself," Jordan says.

Newsweek spoke with several sleep psychologists, and their remarks reiterate what Jordan said in her video. The experts recommend using light to wake up instead. Katherine Hall, a sleep psychologist, recommends getting a sunrise alarm clock instead.

"A sunrise alarm clock mimics a natural sunrise by gradually intensifying light, providing a gentle awakening similar to the body's response to daylight," Hall told Newsweek. "This gradual start allows for a more calming awakening which is less likely to leave you feeling groggy."

If you don't want a sunrise alarm clock, however, Hall's advice is similar to Jordan's: Stick to one alarm. Hall also recommends choosing a clam ringer and placing it away from you so that you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

@jordan.bruss Good sleep hygiene is a big part of my physical and mental health. I promise I would not be in the shape I am in without doing some serious research in the deep sleep department. Don't cause yourself extra physical and mental stress. Excess cortisol levels make you gain and hang on to weight. So when the alarm goes off, it's time, get up. You'll look and feel better! #fyp #sleep #sleephygiene #cortisol #cortisollevels #healthylifestyle #healthcoach #lifecoach #nursecoach ♬ original sound - Jordan

Multiple alarm setters weighed in

Jordan's video amassed 1.2 million views. It doesn't seem like the multiple alarm setters will be changing their ways anytime soon.

“But when you go back to sleep after the first one it’s the best feeling,” the top comment reads.

“Jokes on you, I sleep through the alarms and that's why I need several. can't have sleep inertia if you don't wake up,” a second remarked.

One woman who uses a sunrise alarm clock also weighed in. "A sunrise alarm clock changed my life! It works and it’s the most peaceful way to wake up. The first day I woke up I literally woke up with a smile on my face," she shared.

The Daily Dot reached out to Jordan via Instagram direct message.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘I have bad news for you’: Expert warns against setting multiple alarms in the morning appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘These airlines take enough of our money’: Traveler shares airport trick for getting 3 bags on plane https://www.dailydot.com/news/extra-bag-plane-hack/ Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1631255 man with bags in airport with caption "Airport Hack 101" (l) man with bag in hand (c) man with bags in airport with caption "Airport Hack 101" (r)

Viewers are trying to silence this TikToker after he shared a gatekeep-worthy travel hack. The worried viewers say the airlines will start to catch on once his post goes viral.

Most airlines, if not all, only allow one to two pieces of luggage on a plane per passenger. Most allow passengers to bring a carry-on bag that fits inside the overhead compartment and a personal bag that fits under the seat.

If you try to bring any more than two, many airline workers will likely ask you to consolidate your belongings.

TikToker Luke Sullivan (@yaboylsull) believes he's found a workaround that he says is tried and true. The lifestyle a travel TikToker, who has over 30,000 followers shared the trick while at the airport.

In his TikTok, he says he went to a store in the airport and bought a bottle of water. When he was buying the water, he says he asked for a bag for it to go in. He then used the single-use plastic bag to sneak his Louis Vuitton handbag on the plane.

"The reason why I did that is because I have two items,” he explains, gesturing to his backpack and suitcase. “And I’m not paying for a third.”

“Sorry not sorry but these airlines take enough of our money," he added in the caption.

@yaboylsull

Sorry not sorry but these airlines take enough of our money 🥰😂

♬ original sound - Luke Sullivan

Viewers weigh in on the plane bag tick

His video garnered over 49,000 views. Viewers scrambled to tell Sullivan that they, too, know about this hack and would like to gatekeep it.

“I always do this let's gatekeep plzzzz,” one said.

“Been doing this forever and now they are going to start checking my plastic bags something’s need to be gatekeeped,” another shared.

Others claim the airlines are already catching on.

“They have caught on. My flight yesterday said every type of bag is counted,” one user commented.

“I tried doing this and one lady kept getting mad and telling me I needed to put it in my bag or else it counts as another personal item it def depends on the person tho. That was in Europe,” a second shared.

The Daily Dot reached out to Sullivan via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘These airlines take enough of our money’: Traveler shares airport trick for getting 3 bags on plane appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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man with bags in airport with caption "Airport Hack 101" (l) man with bag in hand (c) man with bags in airport with caption "Airport Hack 101" (r)

Viewers are trying to silence this TikToker after he shared a gatekeep-worthy travel hack. The worried viewers say the airlines will start to catch on once his post goes viral.

Most airlines, if not all, only allow one to two pieces of luggage on a plane per passenger. Most allow passengers to bring a carry-on bag that fits inside the overhead compartment and a personal bag that fits under the seat.

If you try to bring any more than two, many airline workers will likely ask you to consolidate your belongings.

TikToker Luke Sullivan (@yaboylsull) believes he's found a workaround that he says is tried and true. The lifestyle a travel TikToker, who has over 30,000 followers shared the trick while at the airport.

In his TikTok, he says he went to a store in the airport and bought a bottle of water. When he was buying the water, he says he asked for a bag for it to go in. He then used the single-use plastic bag to sneak his Louis Vuitton handbag on the plane.

"The reason why I did that is because I have two items,” he explains, gesturing to his backpack and suitcase. “And I’m not paying for a third.”

“Sorry not sorry but these airlines take enough of our money," he added in the caption.

@yaboylsull

Sorry not sorry but these airlines take enough of our money 🥰😂

♬ original sound - Luke Sullivan

Viewers weigh in on the plane bag tick

His video garnered over 49,000 views. Viewers scrambled to tell Sullivan that they, too, know about this hack and would like to gatekeep it.

“I always do this let's gatekeep plzzzz,” one said.

“Been doing this forever and now they are going to start checking my plastic bags something’s need to be gatekeeped,” another shared.

Others claim the airlines are already catching on.

“They have caught on. My flight yesterday said every type of bag is counted,” one user commented.

“I tried doing this and one lady kept getting mad and telling me I needed to put it in my bag or else it counts as another personal item it def depends on the person tho. That was in Europe,” a second shared.

The Daily Dot reached out to Sullivan via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘These airlines take enough of our money’: Traveler shares airport trick for getting 3 bags on plane appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘A nurse taught me this’: Expert reveals why you should rub Vaseline over your Band-Aid https://www.dailydot.com/news/vaseline-band-aid-removal/ Sun, 28 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1632256 Expert reveals why you should rub Vaseline over your Band-Aid

It can be painful to remove a Band-Aid from your skin, as we've all learned the hard way. Due to the adhesives, the Band-Aid has to cover the wound, and it can pull on skin and hair. Here, a man reveals how rubbing Vaseline over a Band-Aid can make removing it easier and painless in a video with 1.4 million views.

The video was uploaded by TikTok user Blake Chiuminetta (@blakechiuminetta) who posts life hacks and reviews for his 1.4 million followers. This hack is no different. “A nurse taught me this,” he shared in the text overlay. In the video, the content creator showed off his arm with a Band-Aid while holding a jar of Vaseline.

Then, Chiuminetta scooped a finger full of Vaseline and smeared it across his Band-Aid. Afterward, he peeled off the Band-Aid with ease and no pain.

The Daily Dot reached out to Chiuminetta via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment. Viewers agreed in the comments section with this hack.

“I'm allergic to bandaid. it rips my skin off . THANK YOU,” one viewer wrote.

“this is good for elderly who have frail skin or children,” a second stated.

“I use a full jar of vaseline,” a third said.

However, some weren’t sympathetic.

“A nurse told me to man up and remove the bandage yourself,” one viewer remarked.

“nurse here!! alcohol pad or just woman up!! Pull it off, for the love of Hey-Zues,” a second commented.

Is Vaseline good for taking off Band-Aids?

Indeed, it is. Applying the Vaseline weakens the adhesive on the Band-Aid. “The key with this hack is letting the Vaseline soak into the band-aid so that it becomes soft and melts away the sticky residue. This allows the band-aid to peel right off with no pain,” per Hello Wonderful

How to apply the Vaseline

All you have to do is apply the Vaseline wherever your band-aid is. However, using Vaseline before putting on the Band-Aid is best. “The grease provides a barrier to keep the water in the raw wound, so it does not dry and die. The Vaseline does not need to be sterile, but it should be clean. It can be spread onto the bandage thickly with a clean butter knife before covering the wound with the clean bandage. The bandage does not need to be sterile,” per the National Institute of Health.

Recent reports link the chemicals in Band-Aids, which can get absorbed in the bloodstream, to health risks. But if you're going to use one, this hack can make a painful process, especially with kids, smooth sailing.

@blakechiuminetta A Nurse Taught Me This 🥺❤️‍🩹 #bandaid #vaseline #lifehack #nurse ♬ original sound - Blake Chiuminetta

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘A nurse taught me this’: Expert reveals why you should rub Vaseline over your Band-Aid appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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Expert reveals why you should rub Vaseline over your Band-Aid

It can be painful to remove a Band-Aid from your skin, as we've all learned the hard way. Due to the adhesives, the Band-Aid has to cover the wound, and it can pull on skin and hair. Here, a man reveals how rubbing Vaseline over a Band-Aid can make removing it easier and painless in a video with 1.4 million views.

The video was uploaded by TikTok user Blake Chiuminetta (@blakechiuminetta) who posts life hacks and reviews for his 1.4 million followers. This hack is no different. “A nurse taught me this,” he shared in the text overlay. In the video, the content creator showed off his arm with a Band-Aid while holding a jar of Vaseline.

Then, Chiuminetta scooped a finger full of Vaseline and smeared it across his Band-Aid. Afterward, he peeled off the Band-Aid with ease and no pain.

The Daily Dot reached out to Chiuminetta via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment. Viewers agreed in the comments section with this hack.

“I'm allergic to bandaid. it rips my skin off . THANK YOU,” one viewer wrote.

“this is good for elderly who have frail skin or children,” a second stated.

“I use a full jar of vaseline,” a third said.

However, some weren’t sympathetic.

“A nurse told me to man up and remove the bandage yourself,” one viewer remarked.

“nurse here!! alcohol pad or just woman up!! Pull it off, for the love of Hey-Zues,” a second commented.

Is Vaseline good for taking off Band-Aids?

Indeed, it is. Applying the Vaseline weakens the adhesive on the Band-Aid. “The key with this hack is letting the Vaseline soak into the band-aid so that it becomes soft and melts away the sticky residue. This allows the band-aid to peel right off with no pain,” per Hello Wonderful

How to apply the Vaseline

All you have to do is apply the Vaseline wherever your band-aid is. However, using Vaseline before putting on the Band-Aid is best. “The grease provides a barrier to keep the water in the raw wound, so it does not dry and die. The Vaseline does not need to be sterile, but it should be clean. It can be spread onto the bandage thickly with a clean butter knife before covering the wound with the clean bandage. The bandage does not need to be sterile,” per the National Institute of Health.

Recent reports link the chemicals in Band-Aids, which can get absorbed in the bloodstream, to health risks. But if you're going to use one, this hack can make a painful process, especially with kids, smooth sailing.

@blakechiuminetta A Nurse Taught Me This 🥺❤️‍🩹 #bandaid #vaseline #lifehack #nurse ♬ original sound - Blake Chiuminetta

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘A nurse taught me this’: Expert reveals why you should rub Vaseline over your Band-Aid appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘Someone took my shoes’: Woman tries on shoes at T.J. Maxx. Now she has to go through store barefoot https://www.dailydot.com/news/tj-maxx-shoes/ Sat, 27 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1631213 woman speaking in store (l) TJ MAXX store (c) woman putting sandals on (r)

Have you ever gone shoe shopping and been worried that your shoes would get jacked while you are distracted, trying on other pairs? Well, if that's not a fear that has ever crossed your mind, it might be now after you hear this one T.J. Maxx shopper's story.

TikTok user Sarah (@witttysmittty) went shoe shopping at T.J. Maxx with her mother. As she was trying on a pair of shoes, she put the shoes she walked into the store with down. "And someone took my shoes," she says.

Sarah started filming her TikTok right after realizing her shoes were missing. She and her mother went to the front of the store to seek assistance from a worker.

“This is not funny," she laughs awkwardly. "I’m so embarrassed."

Sarah's mother then speaks up for her barefoot daughter. “My daughter was trying on shoes, and someone took her shoes like they were for sale,” her mother tells a T.J. Maxx employee at the front of the store.

The trio then walk back to the shoe section, where they proceed to look for the shoes. Sarah eventually finds them on a rack.

“Someone put them back on,” Sarah laughs, taking her shoes. “We found them. Someone tried them on."

"They weren't good enough to sell?" the worker quips.

Her video was viewed over 764,000 times. 

@witttysmittty

is this a unique experience ????

♬ original sound - smitty

Is this a unique experience?

Sarah questioned if her experience was a unique one in the caption of her clip, but viewers assured her it was not.

“This happened to my mom and they were old sneakers we were shookethhhh,” one viewer shared.

“Girl this happened to me too at tj Maxx my shoes were gone! So the worker put the cart over my shoes. lol I was so embarrassed,” a second shared.

The shoes were right in front of the T.J. Maxx shopper the whole time

To make matters even more funny, Sarah's shoes were right in front of her all along. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted them in the background at the start of her clip when she was complaining that someone had taken her shoes.

“I can’t stop laughing seeing your shoes right behind you,” one said.

Sarah eventually posted a follow-up video to react to her shoes being there the whole time. “In the beginning of the video where I’m panicking,” she says. “Do you see those black sandal things right there?”

Sarah says that she left her shoes on the ground, so someone definitely moved them, thinking they were being sold at T.J. Maxx.

“We have a sneaky suspicion of who took them—99% sure. There's this elderly lady next to us, and both of us think it’s her,” Sarah says. “Which is no problem at all. We’re not mad at anyone.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Sarah via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘Someone took my shoes’: Woman tries on shoes at T.J. Maxx. Now she has to go through store barefoot appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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woman speaking in store (l) TJ MAXX store (c) woman putting sandals on (r)

Have you ever gone shoe shopping and been worried that your shoes would get jacked while you are distracted, trying on other pairs? Well, if that's not a fear that has ever crossed your mind, it might be now after you hear this one T.J. Maxx shopper's story.

TikTok user Sarah (@witttysmittty) went shoe shopping at T.J. Maxx with her mother. As she was trying on a pair of shoes, she put the shoes she walked into the store with down. "And someone took my shoes," she says.

Sarah started filming her TikTok right after realizing her shoes were missing. She and her mother went to the front of the store to seek assistance from a worker.

“This is not funny," she laughs awkwardly. "I’m so embarrassed."

Sarah's mother then speaks up for her barefoot daughter. “My daughter was trying on shoes, and someone took her shoes like they were for sale,” her mother tells a T.J. Maxx employee at the front of the store.

The trio then walk back to the shoe section, where they proceed to look for the shoes. Sarah eventually finds them on a rack.

“Someone put them back on,” Sarah laughs, taking her shoes. “We found them. Someone tried them on."

"They weren't good enough to sell?" the worker quips.

Her video was viewed over 764,000 times. 

@witttysmittty

is this a unique experience ????

♬ original sound - smitty

Is this a unique experience?

Sarah questioned if her experience was a unique one in the caption of her clip, but viewers assured her it was not.

“This happened to my mom and they were old sneakers we were shookethhhh,” one viewer shared.

“Girl this happened to me too at tj Maxx my shoes were gone! So the worker put the cart over my shoes. lol I was so embarrassed,” a second shared.

The shoes were right in front of the T.J. Maxx shopper the whole time

To make matters even more funny, Sarah's shoes were right in front of her all along. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted them in the background at the start of her clip when she was complaining that someone had taken her shoes.

“I can’t stop laughing seeing your shoes right behind you,” one said.

Sarah eventually posted a follow-up video to react to her shoes being there the whole time. “In the beginning of the video where I’m panicking,” she says. “Do you see those black sandal things right there?”

Sarah says that she left her shoes on the ground, so someone definitely moved them, thinking they were being sold at T.J. Maxx.

“We have a sneaky suspicion of who took them—99% sure. There's this elderly lady next to us, and both of us think it’s her,” Sarah says. “Which is no problem at all. We’re not mad at anyone.”

The Daily Dot reached out to Sarah via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

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The post ‘Someone took my shoes’: Woman tries on shoes at T.J. Maxx. Now she has to go through store barefoot appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘I’m confused if California Pizza Kitchen is like trolling people now?’: Woman orders mac and cheese from California Pizza Kitchen. She can’t believe what she received https://www.dailydot.com/news/california-pizza-mac-and-cheese/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1630064 California Pizza Kitchen sign(l), Woman talking(c), Mac and Cheese(r)

A California Pizza Kitchen customer is genuinely wondering if the restaurant is trolling customers after seeing her to-go order of mac and cheese.

Recently, TikTok user Gremlin (@fumptruck) went mega-viral—even prompting a response from the company—after she ordered mac and cheese from the California Pizza Kitchen only to receive just the cheese. She literally got a container of melted cheese.

Fellow TikToker and California Pizza Kitchen customer Trisha (@trishywishy11) might be the yin to Gremlin's yang. You see, Trisha received just the noodles after ordering mac and cheese.

“Where is the cheese? These are naked noodles,” she says, staring at the fork full of just noodles. “Show me the cheese. Where is it?”

Trisha clearly saw Gremlin's video.

“I’m confused if California Pizza Kitchen is, like, trolling people now?” she asks.

@trishywishy11 Id rather be the girl that got only cheese no noodles. @California Pizza Kitchen @cpk ♬ original sound - Trisha

Trisha's video racked up over 244,000 views. Viewers also saw both mac and cheese videos.

"I’d rather get just the cheese," one viewer shared.

"So you got the noodles that girl was missing?!" another joked.

"There is no mac or cheese," another quipped.

The 50%-off noodles deal

Following Gremlin's viral video, California Pizza Kitchen put out a 50%-off mac and cheese deal until July 31, as reported by KTLA.

"Hello everyone, Chef Paul here,” Paul Pszybylski, CPK’s vice president of culinary innovation, says in a TikTok video.

The video was posted to the California Pizza Kitchen's official TikTok account and amassed 10.3 million views.

“I heard there’s been a little bit of confusion on how to properly make our mac and cheese, so I thought I’d send this video out nationwide to make sure everybody knew the proper steps. Since, recently, we gave one of our guests only half a mac and cheese, we’re gonna give all of our guests half off mac and cheese starting today through the rest of the month,” Pszybylsk adds.

Use the promo code "cheeseANDmac" to get the deal.

The Daily Dot reached out to Trisha via TikTok comment and direct message. The Daily Dot also reached out to California Pizza Kitchen via media contact.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

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The post ‘I’m confused if California Pizza Kitchen is like trolling people now?’: Woman orders mac and cheese from California Pizza Kitchen. She can’t believe what she received appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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California Pizza Kitchen sign(l), Woman talking(c), Mac and Cheese(r)

A California Pizza Kitchen customer is genuinely wondering if the restaurant is trolling customers after seeing her to-go order of mac and cheese.

Recently, TikTok user Gremlin (@fumptruck) went mega-viral—even prompting a response from the company—after she ordered mac and cheese from the California Pizza Kitchen only to receive just the cheese. She literally got a container of melted cheese.

Fellow TikToker and California Pizza Kitchen customer Trisha (@trishywishy11) might be the yin to Gremlin's yang. You see, Trisha received just the noodles after ordering mac and cheese.

“Where is the cheese? These are naked noodles,” she says, staring at the fork full of just noodles. “Show me the cheese. Where is it?”

Trisha clearly saw Gremlin's video.

“I’m confused if California Pizza Kitchen is, like, trolling people now?” she asks.

@trishywishy11 Id rather be the girl that got only cheese no noodles. @California Pizza Kitchen @cpk ♬ original sound - Trisha

Trisha's video racked up over 244,000 views. Viewers also saw both mac and cheese videos.

"I’d rather get just the cheese," one viewer shared.

"So you got the noodles that girl was missing?!" another joked.

"There is no mac or cheese," another quipped.

The 50%-off noodles deal

Following Gremlin's viral video, California Pizza Kitchen put out a 50%-off mac and cheese deal until July 31, as reported by KTLA.

"Hello everyone, Chef Paul here,” Paul Pszybylski, CPK’s vice president of culinary innovation, says in a TikTok video.

The video was posted to the California Pizza Kitchen's official TikTok account and amassed 10.3 million views.

“I heard there’s been a little bit of confusion on how to properly make our mac and cheese, so I thought I’d send this video out nationwide to make sure everybody knew the proper steps. Since, recently, we gave one of our guests only half a mac and cheese, we’re gonna give all of our guests half off mac and cheese starting today through the rest of the month,” Pszybylsk adds.

Use the promo code "cheeseANDmac" to get the deal.

The Daily Dot reached out to Trisha via TikTok comment and direct message. The Daily Dot also reached out to California Pizza Kitchen via media contact.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘I’m confused if California Pizza Kitchen is like trolling people now?’: Woman orders mac and cheese from California Pizza Kitchen. She can’t believe what she received appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘Bro just roasting his coworkers’: Man calls working at Publix ‘the most depressing thing on Earth,’ dividing viewers https://www.dailydot.com/news/publix-most-depressing-work/ Thu, 25 Jul 2024 03:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1630109 Man talking(l+r), Publix(c)

Publix worker Josh (@50mick) wants to fill you in on what it's like to work at Publix. And it's not great—at least not for him. As a matter of fact, 20-year-old Josh calls it "the most depressing thing on Earth."

He posted his video before or after working a shift at the supermarket chain as he's in his work uniform. His video has been viewed 350,000 times since Sunday.

"Honestly, this goes for any type of job like this. Fast food, grocery stores—the typically part-time job a teenager takes," he says.

Fast food, grocery store workers are on average over the age of 25

While Josh is right that those are the types of jobs teenagers go for, those industries are still dominated by older workers.

"Food preparation and serving-related occupations were the most commonly held jobs by high school workers" (at least in 2020), according to Zippia. However, the average age of workers in those industries are not teenage-aged. According to Data USA, the average age of a grocery store worker was 37 in 2017. And the average age of a fast food workers was 25 in 2022.

Josh seemingly recently got his job at Publix and is currently undergoing training, like learning how to properly bag groceries.

"There’s an art to it. You have to bag them correctly,” he says he learned from the worker who trained him. “And I do something wrong, and the lady training me freaks out.”

Josh says his older co-workers take bagging groceries so seriously because "this is how she makes a living. This is her life every day."

“And as a teenager, or somebody who just turned 20, there’s always something after. I’ve got a future. But she doesn’t. There’s nothing after this. This is it until retirement," he says.

Josh says this theory has created mixed feelings for himself. “Realizing this has got to be simultaneously the most depressing but motivating thing,” he says. “That honestly could easily be me 'cause I’m a thousand good choices away from having the life I want and be financially free but only a few bad choices away from living that life.”

@50mick

♬ original sound - 50Mick

Some viewers working in such jobs agreed with Mick. But others felt like he was overthinking and cracked jokes at his defense.

"Bro just put the bags in my cart," one said.

“Bro I just asked what aisle the salt it is,” another quipped.

Viewers defend working at Publix

Viewers also defended Publix as an employer and working at a place like it as an adult. Some workers said they prefer working at a place like Publix to an office job for various reasons.

"I work at Publix as a cake decorator and love it they have wonderful benefits and the hourly rate ain’t bad some of us older people are happy with the decision I’ve seen managers retire with millions," one viewer said.

According to Indeed, most Publix workers make on average $14-$18 per hour. Those in management positions can make over six figures.

"I’m 45 & I’ve worked for Winn Dixie for 3 years now. I know people look down on me because of my age. But I love the flexible hours, my co-workers, & knowing I don’t have to take work home with me," another viewer shared.

This is a sentiment shared by many who prefer grocery store and service industry jobs to white—or even grey–collar jobs.

A former teacher who now works at Costco shared how the grocery store gig increased her quality of life. And a former server said she regrets ditching her service job for a "big girl" job. She even claimed that her service job paid her more than she makes at her corporate job.

Viewers also told Josh that it isn't as black and white as good choices vs. bad choices.

"Sometimes the older folks that are working it’s not because of their bad choices, life happens and it’s not always good God bless you for sharing and may all your choices be good," one said.

"This! They could have once had a high paying corporate job or owned a business. Life ebbs and flows," another viewer agreed.

The Daily Dot reached out to @50mick via TikTok comment and direct message. The Daily Dot also reached out to Publix.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘Bro just roasting his coworkers’: Man calls working at Publix ‘the most depressing thing on Earth,’ dividing viewers appeared first on The Daily Dot.

]]>
Man talking(l+r), Publix(c)

Publix worker Josh (@50mick) wants to fill you in on what it's like to work at Publix. And it's not great—at least not for him. As a matter of fact, 20-year-old Josh calls it "the most depressing thing on Earth."

He posted his video before or after working a shift at the supermarket chain as he's in his work uniform. His video has been viewed 350,000 times since Sunday.

"Honestly, this goes for any type of job like this. Fast food, grocery stores—the typically part-time job a teenager takes," he says.

Fast food, grocery store workers are on average over the age of 25

While Josh is right that those are the types of jobs teenagers go for, those industries are still dominated by older workers.

"Food preparation and serving-related occupations were the most commonly held jobs by high school workers" (at least in 2020), according to Zippia. However, the average age of workers in those industries are not teenage-aged. According to Data USA, the average age of a grocery store worker was 37 in 2017. And the average age of a fast food workers was 25 in 2022.

Josh seemingly recently got his job at Publix and is currently undergoing training, like learning how to properly bag groceries.

"There’s an art to it. You have to bag them correctly,” he says he learned from the worker who trained him. “And I do something wrong, and the lady training me freaks out.”

Josh says his older co-workers take bagging groceries so seriously because "this is how she makes a living. This is her life every day."

“And as a teenager, or somebody who just turned 20, there’s always something after. I’ve got a future. But she doesn’t. There’s nothing after this. This is it until retirement," he says.

Josh says this theory has created mixed feelings for himself. “Realizing this has got to be simultaneously the most depressing but motivating thing,” he says. “That honestly could easily be me 'cause I’m a thousand good choices away from having the life I want and be financially free but only a few bad choices away from living that life.”

@50mick

♬ original sound - 50Mick

Some viewers working in such jobs agreed with Mick. But others felt like he was overthinking and cracked jokes at his defense.

"Bro just put the bags in my cart," one said.

“Bro I just asked what aisle the salt it is,” another quipped.

Viewers defend working at Publix

Viewers also defended Publix as an employer and working at a place like it as an adult. Some workers said they prefer working at a place like Publix to an office job for various reasons.

"I work at Publix as a cake decorator and love it they have wonderful benefits and the hourly rate ain’t bad some of us older people are happy with the decision I’ve seen managers retire with millions," one viewer said.

According to Indeed, most Publix workers make on average $14-$18 per hour. Those in management positions can make over six figures.

"I’m 45 & I’ve worked for Winn Dixie for 3 years now. I know people look down on me because of my age. But I love the flexible hours, my co-workers, & knowing I don’t have to take work home with me," another viewer shared.

This is a sentiment shared by many who prefer grocery store and service industry jobs to white—or even grey–collar jobs.

A former teacher who now works at Costco shared how the grocery store gig increased her quality of life. And a former server said she regrets ditching her service job for a "big girl" job. She even claimed that her service job paid her more than she makes at her corporate job.

Viewers also told Josh that it isn't as black and white as good choices vs. bad choices.

"Sometimes the older folks that are working it’s not because of their bad choices, life happens and it’s not always good God bless you for sharing and may all your choices be good," one said.

"This! They could have once had a high paying corporate job or owned a business. Life ebbs and flows," another viewer agreed.

The Daily Dot reached out to @50mick via TikTok comment and direct message. The Daily Dot also reached out to Publix.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘Bro just roasting his coworkers’: Man calls working at Publix ‘the most depressing thing on Earth,’ dividing viewers appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘Don’t buy the holder’: Stanley cup owner warns against buying accessories from the $1 section in Target https://www.dailydot.com/news/target-snack-bowl-stanley-cup/ Wed, 24 Jul 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1628990 Target sign(l), Woman talking(c), Hand pouring liquid into stanley cup(r)

A Target shopper is warning against buying the viral $1 snack bowl from the store. But viewers think her complaints with it can be chalked up to user error.

Parade reported in May that the bowls were flying off the shelves. That makes sense as anything that has to do with Stanley is bound to go viral. And these bowls were made to connect to the Stanley cups—and their dupes—so that consumers could hold their snacks and drinks with just one hand.

In a viral video, TikToker @_amieannx3 has her Target snack bowl surrounding her Stanley Tumblr. But there's an issue. It doesn't exactly fit right. The bowl seems to be too big for her cup. She pours a McDonald's drink in the tumblr, and she fills the bowl with McDonald's nuggets and fries. However, the bowl unfortunately hangs lopsided on the cup.

“Moral of the story, don’t buy the holder from Target dollar spot," the TikToker warns.

@_amieannx3 🫠😂 #fyp #foryou #mcdonalds #stanley #snack ♬ original sound - amieannx3

Viewers aren't so sure her complaints are valid

Her warning racked up over 252,000 views.

Viewers in the comments section are claiming the content creator's cup is far too small for the bowl. They say the bowl is apparently meant for the 40-ounce tumblr, not the 30 ounce.

“I have [the] 40 oz and it fits perfectly! It also fits on other 40 oz tumbler,” one viewer said.

“That’s probably because it’s for a 40 oz. Not 30 lol,” a second said.

“I think the tag says 40 oz on the tray,” a third claimed.

@_amieannx3, in response, claimed that the tag didn't say what cup size it was intended for. “My defense.. the holder didn’t say only for 40oz.. mines a 30z," she wrote.

In a follow-up video, @_amieannx3 goes to Target to prove the tag does not say it's intended for a 40-ounce tumblr only. “Let’s go check before I make a fool out of myself again," she says. “There is no other sticker that says 40 ounces."

According to Target’s website, the snack bowl does not specify a cup size.  The snack bowl comes in four colors and is available in-store at Bullseye's Playground. 

The Daily Dot reached out to @_amieannx3 via TikTok comment and direct message as well as Target via press email.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘Don’t buy the holder’: Stanley cup owner warns against buying accessories from the $1 section in Target appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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Target sign(l), Woman talking(c), Hand pouring liquid into stanley cup(r)

A Target shopper is warning against buying the viral $1 snack bowl from the store. But viewers think her complaints with it can be chalked up to user error.

Parade reported in May that the bowls were flying off the shelves. That makes sense as anything that has to do with Stanley is bound to go viral. And these bowls were made to connect to the Stanley cups—and their dupes—so that consumers could hold their snacks and drinks with just one hand.

In a viral video, TikToker @_amieannx3 has her Target snack bowl surrounding her Stanley Tumblr. But there's an issue. It doesn't exactly fit right. The bowl seems to be too big for her cup. She pours a McDonald's drink in the tumblr, and she fills the bowl with McDonald's nuggets and fries. However, the bowl unfortunately hangs lopsided on the cup.

“Moral of the story, don’t buy the holder from Target dollar spot," the TikToker warns.

@_amieannx3 🫠😂 #fyp #foryou #mcdonalds #stanley #snack ♬ original sound - amieannx3

Viewers aren't so sure her complaints are valid

Her warning racked up over 252,000 views.

Viewers in the comments section are claiming the content creator's cup is far too small for the bowl. They say the bowl is apparently meant for the 40-ounce tumblr, not the 30 ounce.

“I have [the] 40 oz and it fits perfectly! It also fits on other 40 oz tumbler,” one viewer said.

“That’s probably because it’s for a 40 oz. Not 30 lol,” a second said.

“I think the tag says 40 oz on the tray,” a third claimed.

@_amieannx3, in response, claimed that the tag didn't say what cup size it was intended for. “My defense.. the holder didn’t say only for 40oz.. mines a 30z," she wrote.

In a follow-up video, @_amieannx3 goes to Target to prove the tag does not say it's intended for a 40-ounce tumblr only. “Let’s go check before I make a fool out of myself again," she says. “There is no other sticker that says 40 ounces."

According to Target’s website, the snack bowl does not specify a cup size.  The snack bowl comes in four colors and is available in-store at Bullseye's Playground. 

The Daily Dot reached out to @_amieannx3 via TikTok comment and direct message as well as Target via press email.

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘Don’t buy the holder’: Stanley cup owner warns against buying accessories from the $1 section in Target appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘​​Wendy’s would neverrr’: McDonald’s worker complains about the $5 meal deal, shows what it looks like on POS system https://www.dailydot.com/news/mcdonalds-worker-5-dollar-deal-complaints/ Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1628953 Woman talking(l), McDonalds sign(c), Hand on POS screen(r)

McDonald's threw its hat into the $5 meal deal ring. In June, it started selling a $5 meal that contains four items, a McChicken or McDouble, chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink.

While the meal has been pretty popular among customers, McDonald's workers might not hold the meal to the same esteem.

At least one worker, @lilpoohbadass, is excited that the deal is ending. “So glad these d@mn 5$ meals is over tomorrow. It’s getting annoying," the TikToker shared in a video.

In her video, she inputs the order into the POS (point-of-sale) system. First, she clicks on the “$5 McDouble Meal Deal.” Next, she hits the “ranch condiment” icon followed by a small Fanta. She implies that plugging the deal in is annoying.

Her video received 232,000 views in just a few days. It was posted on July 20.

@lilpoohbadass #fyp ♬ original sound - sin

The Daily Dot reached out to @lilpoohbadass via TikTok comment and direct message. We also reached out to McDonald's via email.

In the comments section, workers expressed the same sentiment that they are annoyed by the deal. "I’m so ready to say 'we don’t sell that anymore,'" one said.

Many viewers expressed confusion about @lilpoohbadass' claim that the deal is about to end.

“No bc why are they extending them to September at,” one user who seemingly works at McDonald's said.

“One of my managers just said we’re extending it til august 8th,” another wrote.

“Ours already gone of the menu mobile app only,” a third said.

So, when is the $5 meal deal ending?

The deal improved revenue for McDonald's, according to the New York Post. And 93% of U.S. McDonald’s locations reportedly voted to keep it going. That's why this deal will extend into August for most locations. 

“Our message is resonating with our millions of customers,” national field president, Myra Doria and Tariq Hassan, U.S. chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a McDonald’s memo. “When our customers are ordering the $5 Meal Deal, they aren’t visiting the competition, and early performance shows this deal is meeting the objective of driving guests back to our restaurants.”

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘​​Wendy’s would neverrr’: McDonald’s worker complains about the $5 meal deal, shows what it looks like on POS system appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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Woman talking(l), McDonalds sign(c), Hand on POS screen(r)

McDonald's threw its hat into the $5 meal deal ring. In June, it started selling a $5 meal that contains four items, a McChicken or McDouble, chicken nuggets, fries, and a drink.

While the meal has been pretty popular among customers, McDonald's workers might not hold the meal to the same esteem.

At least one worker, @lilpoohbadass, is excited that the deal is ending. “So glad these d@mn 5$ meals is over tomorrow. It’s getting annoying," the TikToker shared in a video.

In her video, she inputs the order into the POS (point-of-sale) system. First, she clicks on the “$5 McDouble Meal Deal.” Next, she hits the “ranch condiment” icon followed by a small Fanta. She implies that plugging the deal in is annoying.

Her video received 232,000 views in just a few days. It was posted on July 20.

@lilpoohbadass #fyp ♬ original sound - sin

The Daily Dot reached out to @lilpoohbadass via TikTok comment and direct message. We also reached out to McDonald's via email.

In the comments section, workers expressed the same sentiment that they are annoyed by the deal. "I’m so ready to say 'we don’t sell that anymore,'" one said.

Many viewers expressed confusion about @lilpoohbadass' claim that the deal is about to end.

“No bc why are they extending them to September at,” one user who seemingly works at McDonald's said.

“One of my managers just said we’re extending it til august 8th,” another wrote.

“Ours already gone of the menu mobile app only,” a third said.

So, when is the $5 meal deal ending?

The deal improved revenue for McDonald's, according to the New York Post. And 93% of U.S. McDonald’s locations reportedly voted to keep it going. That's why this deal will extend into August for most locations. 

“Our message is resonating with our millions of customers,” national field president, Myra Doria and Tariq Hassan, U.S. chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a McDonald’s memo. “When our customers are ordering the $5 Meal Deal, they aren’t visiting the competition, and early performance shows this deal is meeting the objective of driving guests back to our restaurants.”

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘​​Wendy’s would neverrr’: McDonald’s worker complains about the $5 meal deal, shows what it looks like on POS system appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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‘I fell victim to one of the ghost kitchens’: Woman Uber Eats confetti cake from ‘local business.’ The cake came from Chuck E. Cheese https://www.dailydot.com/news/chuck-e-cheese-uber-eats-ghost-kitchen/ Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.dailydot.com/?p=1628115 Woman Uber Eats confetti cake from 'local business.'

A woman gets tricked by a ghost kitchen after ordering confetti cake on Uber Eats. It's a rising consumer concern.

Her saga plays out in a viral TikTok with more than 59,000 views. “I was just craving cake so bad that I Uber Eats a slice of confetti cake,” TikTok user Katy (@ughhhyikes) starts the video. “I fell victim to one of the ghost kitchens.”

Then, she unveils her slice of confetti cake on a plate. When she starts to eat, the content creator notices something unusual. That's when Katy takes out the bag the cake arrived in and points at the sticker that seals it. “I fell victim from a ghost kitchen and it [came] from no other [than] Chuck E. Cheese,” she says. “So, now I’m eating Chuck E. Cheese confetti cake which is honestly pretty good.”

Wait, what is a ghost kitchen?

Ghost kitchens or commissary kitchens are a virtual delivery service operating out of a commercial kitchen and are available on apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. However, they don't have a physical business and use other companies and apps to promote their food.

She reiterates this in the caption over her video. “I am Ubereats newest ghost kitchen victim. Who was going to tell me Chuck E. Cheese had good cake?”

The Daily Dot reached out to Katy via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment. As well as Uber via press email. Like Katy, other viewers have fallen prey to accidentally ordering from ghost kitchens.

Why does Chuck E. Cheese have a ghost kitchen?

Almost surely, for marketing purposes. Otherwise, it's unlikely people would turn to the child entertainment brand for one-off food decisions. We've reached out to Chuck E. Cheese about this via email.

“It’s awful. I thought I was getting a mom and pop Italian restaurant… nope it was chilis didn’t even know chilis had pasta lol,” one viewer shared.

“Yup we bought souped up milkshakes and turns out they were actually from steak and shake,” a second wrote.

“I once ordered from ‘bird dogs’ it was Bww in a hotdog bun,” a third recalled.

In response to a comment, Katy elaborated, “It was something specific to cake. Like ‘something cakes.’ Tbh it still hit the spot.”

Moreover, others praised Chuck E. Cheese's cakes.

“Girl their cake is one of the best,” one user praised.

“Man. But they have the best cake,” a second agreed.

Update July 24, 6:56am CT: A Chuck E. Cheese rep tells the Daily Dot via email:

  • Chuck E. Cheese launched Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings during the pandemic in 2020. This was during a time when our locations were forced to close and, in an effort, to keep our management team employed, we launched one of the first virtual kitchen brands at a national level. The recipes were not the same as those made for Chuck E. Cheese guests but did leverage the kitchens, infrastructure and standards of Chuck E. Cheese. Read more about it here
  • The industry hailed us for our efforts as pioneers and one of the most innovative during a difficult time for the world.
  • Then we partnered with Buddy Vs Cake Slice as part of a venture with VDC in 2023 and introduced that product for carryout, delivery and in store. Read all about it here.
  • Then late last year, we announced our Grown-Up Menu where we introduced the top sellers of Pasqually’s Pizza & wings inside of Chuck E. Cheese. Read all about it here.

Are there ways to tell if you’re ordering from a ghost kitchen on food delivery apps?

Delivery apps don’t specify if you’re ordering from a ghost kitchen except for DoorDash. On DoorDash's app, there's a virtual banner along with a "learn more" page. However, there are tricks to find out but it requires research. One method is to search for “ghost menus” on an app. Furthermore, you can look up the address and photos of the restaurant you’re ordering from. “If the restaurant has an actual storefront, a quick Google search will likely reveal photos, reviews, and driving directions,” per Tasting Table.

@ughhhyikes I am Ubereats newest ghost kitchen victim. Who was going to tell me Chuck E. Cheese had good cake? #ghostkitchen #fyp #chuckecheese ♬ original sound - Katy

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The post ‘I fell victim to one of the ghost kitchens’: Woman Uber Eats confetti cake from ‘local business.’ The cake came from Chuck E. Cheese appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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Woman Uber Eats confetti cake from 'local business.'

A woman gets tricked by a ghost kitchen after ordering confetti cake on Uber Eats. It's a rising consumer concern.

Her saga plays out in a viral TikTok with more than 59,000 views. “I was just craving cake so bad that I Uber Eats a slice of confetti cake,” TikTok user Katy (@ughhhyikes) starts the video. “I fell victim to one of the ghost kitchens.”

Then, she unveils her slice of confetti cake on a plate. When she starts to eat, the content creator notices something unusual. That's when Katy takes out the bag the cake arrived in and points at the sticker that seals it. “I fell victim from a ghost kitchen and it [came] from no other [than] Chuck E. Cheese,” she says. “So, now I’m eating Chuck E. Cheese confetti cake which is honestly pretty good.”

Wait, what is a ghost kitchen?

Ghost kitchens or commissary kitchens are a virtual delivery service operating out of a commercial kitchen and are available on apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. However, they don't have a physical business and use other companies and apps to promote their food.

She reiterates this in the caption over her video. “I am Ubereats newest ghost kitchen victim. Who was going to tell me Chuck E. Cheese had good cake?”

The Daily Dot reached out to Katy via Instagram direct message and TikTok comment. As well as Uber via press email. Like Katy, other viewers have fallen prey to accidentally ordering from ghost kitchens.

Why does Chuck E. Cheese have a ghost kitchen?

Almost surely, for marketing purposes. Otherwise, it's unlikely people would turn to the child entertainment brand for one-off food decisions. We've reached out to Chuck E. Cheese about this via email.

“It’s awful. I thought I was getting a mom and pop Italian restaurant… nope it was chilis didn’t even know chilis had pasta lol,” one viewer shared.

“Yup we bought souped up milkshakes and turns out they were actually from steak and shake,” a second wrote.

“I once ordered from ‘bird dogs’ it was Bww in a hotdog bun,” a third recalled.

In response to a comment, Katy elaborated, “It was something specific to cake. Like ‘something cakes.’ Tbh it still hit the spot.”

Moreover, others praised Chuck E. Cheese's cakes.

“Girl their cake is one of the best,” one user praised.

“Man. But they have the best cake,” a second agreed.

Update July 24, 6:56am CT: A Chuck E. Cheese rep tells the Daily Dot via email:

  • Chuck E. Cheese launched Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings during the pandemic in 2020. This was during a time when our locations were forced to close and, in an effort, to keep our management team employed, we launched one of the first virtual kitchen brands at a national level. The recipes were not the same as those made for Chuck E. Cheese guests but did leverage the kitchens, infrastructure and standards of Chuck E. Cheese. Read more about it here
  • The industry hailed us for our efforts as pioneers and one of the most innovative during a difficult time for the world.
  • Then we partnered with Buddy Vs Cake Slice as part of a venture with VDC in 2023 and introduced that product for carryout, delivery and in store. Read all about it here.
  • Then late last year, we announced our Grown-Up Menu where we introduced the top sellers of Pasqually’s Pizza & wings inside of Chuck E. Cheese. Read all about it here.

Are there ways to tell if you’re ordering from a ghost kitchen on food delivery apps?

Delivery apps don’t specify if you’re ordering from a ghost kitchen except for DoorDash. On DoorDash's app, there's a virtual banner along with a "learn more" page. However, there are tricks to find out but it requires research. One method is to search for “ghost menus” on an app. Furthermore, you can look up the address and photos of the restaurant you’re ordering from. “If the restaurant has an actual storefront, a quick Google search will likely reveal photos, reviews, and driving directions,” per Tasting Table.

@ughhhyikes I am Ubereats newest ghost kitchen victim. Who was going to tell me Chuck E. Cheese had good cake? #ghostkitchen #fyp #chuckecheese ♬ original sound - Katy

Internet culture is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. You’ll get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.

The post ‘I fell victim to one of the ghost kitchens’: Woman Uber Eats confetti cake from ‘local business.’ The cake came from Chuck E. Cheese appeared first on The Daily Dot.

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