Be Careful When Ordering "Medicine Ball" At Starbucks - Some Employees Won't React Nicely To Hearing That Name
"Whatever you do, do not ask for a ‘medicine ball’ at Starbucks, or you will get verbally abused."
A 28-year-old woman just wanted a drink, and instead she got a mini public meltdown from the people behind the counter. In a video captioned with, “I’m ill and I don’t know why everyone keeps shouting at me,” Liyah watched her Starbucks moment spiral fast, then watched it blow up online even faster, racking up around a million views.
The flashpoint was the word “medicine ball,” the nickname some customers use for Starbucks’ Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
Now it’s not just about tea, it’s about how one phrase can set off an argument, and how quickly a routine stop can become a whole controversy. Here’s the full story.
Liyah stated, "I'm ill and I don't know why everyone keeps shouting at me," in the caption of the video. The number of views on her video is around a million.
Both sides of the issue were presented by viewers in the comments, and Liyah provided some background on what the employee had said to her:
@liyahxttOther people said:
@liyahxttLiyah’s “I’m ill” caption makes it feel extra rough, because she’s not acting like she was trying to be difficult, she’s acting like she’s trying to get help.
That’s why the comments hit differently, with some defending the drink name and others insisting baristas “correct” customers for a reason.
It’s the same kind of recipe standoff as the cousin demanding Grandma’s secret meatball recipe.
The confusion gets real when people start treating “medicine ball” like it sounds like actual medicine, not a tea blend, and suddenly it’s a legal and PR headache.
Starbucks' Honey Citrus Mint Tea is a refreshing, flavorful tea that is perfect for any time of day. This tea is made with a blend of green tea, honey, citrus, and mint.
The green tea provides a light, mellow flavor that is complemented by the sweet taste of honey and the pleasant aroma of citrus and mint. The tea is naturally caffeine-free and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
It is incredibly tasty, and that's what makes it so popular.
Baristas get in trouble for calling it that:
@liyahxtt
And even though Starbucks has been telling employees to correct the name, Liyah’s video shows what happens when the correction comes out as shouting instead of kindness.
Starbucks offers a wide variety of beverages, including hot and cold coffee, tea, espresso drinks, ready-to-drink beverages, smoothies, frappuccinos, and more. It is one of the most popular franchises in the world and is synonymous with coffee shops.
It is unfortunate that this customer received an unpleasant reaction from the baristas. However, one must be in their shoes to understand.
The popular name for the drink might lead some people to believe that there is actual medicine in it, which opens the door for all kinds of potential malicious lawsuits.
As a result, the company instructed its employees to correct customers. Some states are more stringent about this, while others have looser regulations. That's the only reason some baristas react while others do not.
In any case, Starbucks employees should have been kind and respectful while correcting the customer—not make her feel bad.
Ordering a “medicine ball” can turn a normal tea run into a confrontation you didn’t ask for.
For another “don’t share my family secret” showdown, read about the friend who wouldn’t stop pestering for Grandma’s apple pie recipe.
