Plastic straw bans have mostly hit the left coast in cities such as Seattle and San Francisco, but even Pope Francis weighed in on the threat to the oceans of plastic waste like drinking straws, and Washington, D.C. was sending out environmental inspectors to ensure restaurants weren’t breaking the ban.
In June last year, Santa Barbara, Calif., passed an ordinance that put Seattle’s to shame, ordering that a second infraction of the law could face a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail. No wonder waitresses are wary to give out straws on request.
Newsweek noted that Santa Barbara’s law “does include exemptions in consideration of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” which is the first thing many Twitchy readers noted when we first started writing about straw bans — what about kids, the elderly, and the disabled?
Here’s a thread we saw earlier this week but held off on covering because “moe” said all the attention was giving her anxiety and she had to mute her notifications … she never expected her story to blow up on Twitter, but she appreciates all the well wishes.
We want moe’s story told, though — it shows an ugly side to the plastic straw ban that everyone (except the politicians passing them) knew was coming.
I was declined a straw at a restaurant this morning. The waitress had one in her apron. As she poured the water I said “excuse me miss can I have a straw?” She said “we can’t just give them out” and walked away.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
My dad flagged her down and when she returned to the table, I asked again “miss sorry but I really do need a straw”. She then said “we only give them to the elderly”
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
I explained that I am disabled, that I have degenerative joint disease in my spine and picking up a full glass to drink causes muscle spasms under my shoulder blades. She met that with “you seemed fine when you walked in”.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
Wow.
5 minutes later, still no straw. Finally I ask for a manager and the waitress looks pissed as hell but goes to get them. The manager heard me out, handed me a straw, then turned to the waitress and whispered “people like that aren’t worth it just give them the damn straw”
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
I was SO frustrated… I just started crying. My dad got up and followed the manager back to the front where he then LET HER HAVE IT. He had let me handle it up until that point Bc I had asked him to.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
And while he was shouting, people were turning to look at me.. he was literally just shouting “her spine is deteriorating she uses crutches most days you MORON” and I was SO EMBARRASSED. I got up and walked out of the restaurant and my mom followed me.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
We hadn’t even ordered yet so we just left. I’m still really upset. STRAW BAN IS BULLSHIT. It’s just an excuse for ableism. A waitress should NOT get to “decide” if I’m validly disabled or not.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
So, this is kind of blowing up more than I thought it would, I just wanted to rant. I am glad this thread is starting the conversation and helping to educate others.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
I really appreciate everyone offering to contact the restaurant on my behalf, but there are several reasons I am not going to name it:
1. It’s a beloved restaurant here, very old and valued in my community
2. The manager IS THE OWNER
3. I have severe anxiety, can’t handle that— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
I have muted my twitter notifications, as this tweet has picked up a lot more traction than I had ever thought possible, and I’m honestly a bit stressed ? I appreciate all the kind words and solidarity ❤️ ableds reading this thread, LISTEN TO US IN THE REPLIES✊ HEAR US.
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
Guess that’s what happens when you threaten a waitress with six months in jail for handing out a plastic straw.
I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hope you write to the owner of the restaurant to let them know how abusive their employees are. If I were you, unless I got a darn good apology, I would never go back there.
— Susan Esther Barnes (@SusanBarnesRnR) June 13, 2019
I don’t plan on returning
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
THIS is why the "Oh, ban straw for the abled and allow it for the disabled" is such a problem. Do disabled people need to carry their own? Get perscriptions? Pray ninnies recognize disabilities? The disabled always get tossed under the bus.
— Liron Drake (@LironDrake) June 13, 2019
And my favourite phrase. "But you don't look sick/disabled." ?? I shouldn't need to look anyone's version of disabled. My health issues are mine to manage. But in public, I ask for minimum help & respect. Occasionally, straws are part of that.
— Ael Xander (@Ael_Xander) June 13, 2019
The obvious answer is to treat requests for a straw like we treat service animals. The request is "I need a straw, please" and the answer is "Sure, here's a straw". Some problems are hard to solve. This one is not.
— Jim Mayer (@pentastich) June 13, 2019
Sounds reasonable. Ask for a straw and done. The training at that restaurant has to be upgraded.
— Spinning bird (@Halfcourtbird) June 14, 2019
Oh this makes me angry. Honestly I wish you could publicly name and shame them without risking harassment somehow 🙁
— EggNog??️? (@NOGnessMonster) June 13, 2019
Which is precisely why I’m not naming them. My town would have my head
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
give me the names, sis. i just wanna talk pic.twitter.com/8FTwFVqVTH
— ??. ?????????? (@stardenia) June 14, 2019
I’m so sorry that happened to you. What jerks. The people that want straw bans should be going after fishing nets and other plastic things that don’t impact disabled and other marginalized people.
— Caroline Bailey (@cmbaileyatx) June 13, 2019
What do they need? A prescription from your doctor?
— SarahAnne, M.A (@Sarahendipity42) June 13, 2019
In the UK we’ll only be able to buy them from pharmacies soon – the ban starts in April 2020. Not looking forward to having to pay more and prove I need them.
— Kit ?️? (@solitaryrainbow) June 13, 2019
What has happened to you, United Kingdom? Replacing pointy knives with blunt ones so they can’t be used as weapons, and this too?
The major UK supermarkets have already switched so you can’t buy them anywhere. Much to the horror of the in store restaurant manager who having had it explained, went to find plastic straws and came back looking very very upset… many months later, still no plastic straws.
— Dr cinnamonremote (@cinnamonremote) June 14, 2019
I’m very lucky – a friend went to a catering company for me and bought me hundreds about six months ago when McDonald’s announced they were scrapping them. I’m rationing them now.
— Kit ?️? (@solitaryrainbow) June 14, 2019
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. What REALLY upsets me is the idea that you have to lay your condition out to placate people, and you're still not believed. It sucks. Perhaps your speaking up about this will help educate more people. I appreciate you doing it.
— Maggie Hendricks (@maggiehendricks) June 14, 2019
Omg! That’s horrible. I’m so sorry. Is there someone higher up than the manager y’all talked to that can be talked to? This is unacceptable. Good for you for standing up for yourself & I know it was embarrassing, but I’m proud of your dad for standing up for you too!
— Steph ?? (@SpoonieSteph7) June 13, 2019
It’s a local place so the manager basically owns it
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
I wondered if that was the case ?. I think having straws available on request would be a good way to not use as many and then those who still need them can ask for them. But, make it a policy to not question why they need one. And I mean this for everywhere. 1/2
— Steph ?? (@SpoonieSteph7) June 13, 2019
The problem with that is, some “environmentalists” are ableists and give zero hecks about our accessibility if it’ll “hurt a sea turtle”
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
I asked for a straw at a registrant a few weeks ago. He said they don’t have any because they’re going to save the world (lmao what) so I said what about disabled people? He said just bring your own then. I honestly just froze. Anyone have any suggestions for what to say to that
— Kellyann May Navarre (@KellyannNavarre) June 13, 2019
Can I please get the correct spelling of your name, for my lawyer to put in my lawsuit for violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act? I wouldn't want to disrespect you by spelling it incorrectly.
— Deborah Golden (@DebGoldenDC) June 14, 2019
This is the correct response
— Akiva Cohen (@AkivaMCohen) June 14, 2019
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m incredibly worried that circumstances like this are gonna be commonplace as more and more straw bans come about. It’s so wrong and horrible.
— Kelsey (@kelseyhardin_) June 13, 2019
If someone asks for a straw, they should give you one. You shouldn’t have to disclose medical information to get a damn straw. Shame on that waitress, and the manager. I’m all for saving the environment, but this is just ridiculous.
— Hailey Quinn (@AlienHailey) June 14, 2019
Ugh, I'm sorry. The way I see it, if someone asks for a straw, what damn business is it of someone else's why? Odds are their reasons (if they were anyone's business) wouldn't be a desire to destroy the oceans, one straw at a time.
— Megan C (@megantalks) June 13, 2019
most people upset by this don’t even know that straws really don’t contribute that much to the amount of plastic waste in the oceans
— carrie (@carrieowens_) June 14, 2019
exactly! i think it’s around .03% or something like that!
— Sam Sandy (@ymmasydnas) June 15, 2019
You’re dead on. If people would focus their energy on banning companies from leaving their fishing nets or other old equipment in the oceans, they’d realize that we wouldn’t have to ban plastic straws for at least a century
— Jenny Matthews (@J3ennife4) June 15, 2019
Thank you so much for this. I have EDS and psoriatic arthritis and have good and bad days. On bad days I will drop a glass of liquid like a hot potato through no fault but my stupid hands. And am getting so tired of fighting for straws
— Lynne Powell (@LynneDPowell) June 14, 2019
I can't even word how goddamn angry I am. I just… I can't…
— Avarice Nia ?️? ? (@BritishNia) June 15, 2019
Here’s the hero of our story:
I want to “promote” my art to you guys, since everyone has been so supportive. I am a disabled cosplayer✨ I frequently incorporate my mobility aids into my costumes and this hobby has been such a saving grace in giving me purpose. https://t.co/Yhb2JSAzUJ pic.twitter.com/pxSmgkk90m
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
If you like cosplay at all, please consider glancing at my Instagram account which I’ve linked above. The community’s support means the world to me! Whether you check it out or not, I hope you all have a great day❤️
— moe (@EhlersDanlosgrl) June 13, 2019
Related:
Anti-straw activists lobbying to do away with tropical drink emoji and its digital straw https://t.co/lFeCw7Vh5B
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) March 30, 2019
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