“I am human” - Starbucks called out by USPS worker after allegedly being denied water despite working under extreme heat

A US Postal worker’s experience in Starbucks has caused quite a stir online after she alleged that she was refused a free cup of iced water when she was working in temperatures of over 100°F.

The episode has shined a spotlight on both corporate policy and the conditions that frontline workers are subject to in potentially hazardous weather.

The postal worker, who identified herself as @melaninglowesthetics on TikTok, posted a brief video, which went viral and was then taken down.

According to the woman, she had been taking a package to a Starbucks outlet, where she requested a small cup of iced water. 

In the video, she could be seen seated inside her USPS truck, and saying:

"Imagine working out of a tin can in 100 [degree] heat, trying to stay alive and walking into Starbucks for a cup of ice water, and they tell you NO!"

@Starbucks during COVID everyone & they momma was calling our farm workers and our delivery drivers @USPS @UPS + Hero's. fast forward and this is how y'all treating them in 2025! Excuse me?

OVER WATER. #boycottstarbucks

not buying anything until you apologize and make it right pic.twitter.com/CeLIsEuiCN

— Maritza (@maritzarosas25) July 15, 2025

The barista supposedly explained to her that she had to buy something under company guidelines in order to get free tap water.

The worker eventually purchased bottled water but became frustrated with the situation.

"I am human. I show up everyday in extreme heat in my uniform in a truck with no A/C. I love my job, I love my customers, and I love my route. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t have bad days," She remarked in her video.

A look into the backlash and Starbucks' response

Starbucks had modified its open door policy recently, where it stated that you had to purchase something to use store restrooms or free water.

In response to the recent backlash, though, Starbucks spokeswoman Jaci Anderson says employees are taught from training to operate with empathy.

"All customers who make a purchase while visiting our stores can enjoy complimentary water during their visit... in the event the circumstance calls for it – either due to extreme weather, medical emergency or other extenuating factors," she told Atlanta Black Star in a statement.

BREAKING 🚨



Starbucks' Major Rule Change: Buy Something To Use Restrooms.



Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said that "We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores. By setting clear expectations for behaviour and use of our spaces, we can create a better… pic.twitter.com/f8BVRsgAt2

— Viral Fun Vids🤣 (@viral_fun_vids) January 15, 2025

This isn’t the first time Starbucks has come under fire for the policy.

A similar situation occurred earlier this year in Richmond, Virginia, when a barista allegedly declined water to a woman attempting to assist her husband’s health.

The backlash reflects broader concerns about postal workers’ safety during extreme weather.

According to a report by Lipstick Alley, a USPS carrier in Dallas died last month after collapsing on his route due to an extreme 90 degree heat.

In June 2024, Wednesday Johnson, 51, was found dead in her home after completing her mail route in a truck without air conditioning; her family believed she died of heat stroke.

The story of the USPS worker has reignited discussions about corporate responsibility, and about the safety of front-line workers.