Woman explains why she refused a free drink at a bar: “We’re scared”
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Woman explains why she refused a free drink at a bar: “We’re scared”

A woman on TikTok has shared the reason she refused a drink a stranger offered her at a bar, leading to a conversation about safety.

Maranda Howard visited a popular spot in Dallas on October 20th where a man bought her a drink. But when she noticed something unusual about it, she refused to drink it.

Howard shared his experience on TikTok earlier this month in a video that currently has over 13 million views.

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IN the videoHoward said explaining that a man at the bar had bought her a drink, a lemon drop cocktail. When it arrived she realized she hadn’t seen how it was prepared and saw some kind of red powder inside.

When Howard saw an unfamiliar substance in the glass, concern grew. “We’re scared,” she said in the video. When she asked the bartender to make another drink, he said “no.” Instead of risking the suspicious potion, she threw it away and left soon after.

Within hours of Howard publishing her story, she said the restaurant’s owner contacted her and said they would investigate the incident. Newsweek reached the bar via email for comment.

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“I’m always careful with my drink,” Howard told me Newsweek. “When I saw the substance in the drink that did not match the drink I ordered, I asked to make another drink.”

Howard pointed to a recent experience in the audience of one Dr. Phil episode focused on drinking spikes, making her extra vigilant.

Woman refuses to drink
Images from Maranda Howard’s TikTok video that has been viewed over 13 million times to date. Howard recently shared on TikTok the reason she refused a drink offered to her by a stranger at a…


@damnranda_/TikTok

Meanwhile, comments on Howard’s TikTok video came in the comments section from customers and bartenders alike.

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“As a bartender, of course I would redo that drink! I’m so confused why he didn’t,” wrote one TikTok user.

While another user and former bartender added: “My first question would have been: ‘Are you okay?'”

Others on the social media platform praised Howard’s vigilance. “Better safe than sorry,” said one commenter. While another wrote: “I’m glad you stood up for yourself!”

“I just wanted to share my experience. I didn’t expect the video to get the traction it did,” Howard shared Newsweek. “I just want others to be careful! You never know what someone’s intentions are whether it’s sexual assault, trafficking, robbery, the list goes on.”

According to a 2023 survey of 969 people by the American Addiction Centers, 44 percent of men and 56 percent of women reported unknowingly consuming spiked drinks or food at least once. Many of these incidents occurred during college years, suggesting that millions of students could potentially encounter spilled beverages.

“I just hope my video gives people the awareness to watch their drink like a hawk and not be afraid to ask for a remake or refuse the drink,” Howard said.