07-03-25 - Influencer Claims Harassment After Barista Writes You're Pretty On Her Coffee Cup Meaning We Can't Be Nice Anymore - BO

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: Detailed Summary of Episode 07-03-25

Podcast Information:

• Title: Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
• Host: John Holmberg, with assistance from Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo
• Network: 98KUPD | Hubbard Radio
• Episode Title: Influencer Claims Harassment After Barista Writes "You're Pretty" On Her Coffee Cup Meaning We Can't Be Nice Anymore - BO
• Release Date: July 3, 2025

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Introduction

In the July 3, 2025 episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show, host John Holmberg delves into a contentious incident involving an influencer who alleges harassment after a barista wrote "You're Pretty" on her coffee cup. The discussion navigates the fine line between courteous compliments and perceived harassment in today’s social climate.

The Incident: "You're Pretty" - Harassment or Kindness?

The episode centers around a viral incident where a barista wrote "You're Pretty" on a customer's coffee cup, leading the influencer to claim harassment. This claim has sparked debates on social media about the appropriateness of such compliments.

John Holmberg initiates the conversation by referencing a related incident involving sports figure Caitlin Clark, highlighting the sensitivity around personal interactions today:

"And another thing we gotta stop... He [the author] was nice to someone. That was it." ([04:02])

He criticizes the influencer's reaction, suggesting that a simple compliment has been misconstrued as harassment:

"And all he did was be nice to a girl. That was it." ([04:02])

Host's Perspective: The Overreach of Modern Sensibilities

Holmberg expresses frustration over what he perceives as an overextension of harassment claims to benign interactions. He argues that societal norms have shifted to the point where even innocent compliments are now seen as potential offenses.

"If calling a woman pretty is akin to sexual assault, gays you might have... look very pretty as sexual assault now." ([04:20])

He shares a personal anecdote to illustrate his point, recounting an interaction where he complimented a coworker and contemplated the possible negative implications:

"I said, my God, I've never realized how beautiful you are... did I just imply... that on other days I don't think she's good looking at all without me, she's ugly." ([04:39])

Broader Discussion: Compliments in the Modern Age

The conversation broadens to address how compliments, especially those regarding physical appearance, are increasingly fraught with potential misinterpretation. Holmberg laments the loss of simple human interactions and compliments, suggesting that the fear of being labeled harassing has stifled genuine expressions of kindness.

"If I walked up to a woman I didn't know and said, you might be the prettiest woman I've ever met, I'd be in handcuffs." ([04:37])

He draws parallels with classic romantic films, humorously suggesting that rather than romantic gestures, interactions are now reclassified as problematic:

"The beginning of 'When Harry Met Sally'... Rape. 2024. Rape." ([06:23])

Interactions with Co-hosts and Callers

Throughout the episode, Holmberg engages with co-host Richard Karn and various callers, who add depth to the discussion with their perspectives.

Richard Karn questions the inconsistency in harassment claims based on the source of the compliment:

"But what happens if a, if a gay guy tells her she looks pretty, that's okay." ([04:15])

Holmberg responds by emphasizing self-awareness and the importance of understanding the context and intent behind compliments:

"It has to be from the. It's not bad to say they're pretty. It just depends on who you are." ([04:21])

Callers contribute by sharing their experiences and viewpoints, some supporting Holmberg’s stance, while others highlight the evolving nature of social interactions.

Societal Implications and Personal Responsibility

Holmberg further explores the societal implications, suggesting that the fear of misinterpretation is leading to a decline in human interactions and genuine compliments. He advocates for a balance between being kind and being aware of the modern sensitivities surrounding personal compliments.

"But by the way, she hates being lured at. And all the guy was doing was coming on to her." ([04:06])

He contemplates the future of social interactions, humorously mentioning the idea of breeding out such misunderstandings:

"Maybe we just kind of breed out. Maybe the gays have it figured out. No more. No more. Procreation is the future." ([08:14])

Humorous Anecdotes and Light-Hearted Moments

Interspersed with serious discussions, Holmberg and his co-hosts share humorous anecdotes and banter, adding levity to the episode. For instance, Holmberg humorously reflects on his own experiences with compliments at work and the potential consequences:

"It's just. It's a truth. It's a fact. If I tell a pretty girl at work, you look beautiful... I ain't saying anything to you. You made us creepy." ([11:34])

They also joke about fictional scenarios involving celebrities, further illustrating the absurdity Holmberg perceives in the current discourse around compliments and harassment.

Conclusion: Navigating the New Social Norms

As the episode concludes, Holmberg reiterates his concern over the diminishing ability to give sincere compliments without fear of backlash. He advocates for a return to more straightforward and genuine interactions, free from the overzealousness that he feels characterizes modern social dynamics.

"Just don't be nice to anyone anymore. That's the key." ([15:03])

He underscores the importance of self-awareness and understanding the context in which compliments are given, suggesting that with mindful communication, positive interactions can coexist with respect for personal boundaries.

Final Thoughts

John Holmberg's discussion in this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a provocative take on the complexities of modern social interactions. By dissecting a seemingly simple act of kindness turned controversial, Holmberg invites listeners to reflect on how societal norms have evolved and the impact this has on everyday conversations and relationships.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• John Holmberg ([04:02]): "He was nice to someone. That was it."
• John Holmberg ([04:20]): "If calling a woman pretty is akin to sexual assault..."
• Richard Karn ([04:15]): "But what happens if a, if a gay guy tells her she looks pretty, that's okay."
• John Holmberg ([04:21]): "It has to be from the. It's not bad to say they're pretty. It just depends on who you are."
• John Holmberg ([06:23]): "The beginning of 'When Harry Met Sally'... Rape. 2024. Rape."
• John Holmberg ([08:14]): "Maybe we just kind of breed out. Maybe the gays have it figured out. No more. No more. Procreation is the future."
• John Holmberg ([11:34]): "You made us creepy."
• John Holmberg ([15:03]): "Just don't be nice to anyone anymore. That's the key."

This episode serves as a mirror to contemporary societal debates, questioning where the balance between politeness and personal boundaries now lies. Holmberg's candid and unapologetic approach encourages listeners to consider their own interactions and the evolving definitions of respect and harassment.

Transcript

[Richard Karn]

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[John Holmberg]

It's John Holmberg here from the morning sickness time once again to talk to you about this week's pick of the litter. Lost our home pet rescue is where I go and I got to say thanks to our friends at Turf Monsters AZ.com this week we're going to focus once again on Chai and Noah, a little bonded pair. They're adorable three and five year old little terrier mix type dogs. You got to see them. They're best friends and they will make your house better. They like other dogs too, so it's a perfect match. They wear those adoption fees. If Chai and Noah are right for you, they're this week's pick of the litter brought to you by turfmonstersaz.com this.

[Unknown]

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[John Holmberg]

Do not listen to this while driving or when full alertness is needed. The best of Holmberg's morning sickness. This is the big red radio. And another thing we gotta stop. We talked about it yesterday. The Caitlin Clark guy, he wrote his whole article yesterday in the Indiana Indianapolis Star, Daily Star, whatever. The newspaper and website is apologizing to Caitlin Clark for what he did, which just make her heart symbol back to her and say if you do this to me, we're gonna be friends now. He was called a predator. They've called for his job. Everybody wants him to die in Indianapolis. That's, you know, all these crazy people. And he wrote this gigantic article and basically became, you know, some guy emailed me yesterday and said I'll never make fun of Toledo again because I've never seen a cuck worse than the dude in Indianapolis that just caved into the one instead of just saying I didn't mean anything by it. I had no malicious intent and I you guys are making nothing. This is, this is a thing that shouldn't be. But he caved in apologized, said, I'm part of the problem. I was, I have to be better. And all he did was be nice to a girl. That was it. He was nice to someone. Caitlin Clark never said she was upset. And so bleeds over into another thing where a guy, a girl who. Her Instagram page is all just her with her little piece symbol up, doing poses, trying to look cute. She wants to be pretty. She's got her whole Instagram page based on her filtered pictures of how pretty she is. Her cans are out. It's all about her looks at her Starbucks. The guy wrote on her cup, gisele, you're very pretty. She went online and said that it was akin to sexual assault. She can't believe someone would do this. She just started to flame the guy instead of just looking at him and going, I don't like that you wrote this. Please don't do that again. She didn't go to him. She said, I was harassed by the barista. I can't believe this happened. I can't even go to this coffee place anymore because I feel like I'm being lured at. And yet you go to her Instagram page and this chick is all about being lured at. She loves the attention for being cute. In fact, so much so she's got her own Instagram name for her cute pictures versus her everyday ones. She's Giselle there, but she's, her name is. Her actual name is Kenya, but she's got Giselle her alter ego, the sexy one who doesn't. But by the way, she hates being lured at. And all the guy was doing was coming on to her. He was taking a chance, he's taking a swing, saying, you know what? You're a very pretty lady. If calling a woman pretty is akin to sexual assault, gays you might have. I think you figured it all out. I'm going in, I'm going in the back door. You look very pretty as sexual assault now.

[Unknown]

Well, not from someone I don't want it from.

[John Holmberg]

And again, it comes back to, we're not supposed to judge anybody on how they look. But if an ugly guy tells you you're pretty, he might lose his job. And this comes from an ugly.

[Richard Karn]

But what happens if a, if a gay guy tells her she looks pretty, that's okay.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah. I don't know.

[Unknown]

Oh yeah.

[Richard Karn]

I guess it's kind of a double.

[John Holmberg]

Edged sword at that point. It has to be from the. It's not bad to say they're pretty. It just depends on who you are. And it's Self awareness. If you're ugly, you can't go writing things like that on somebody's coffee cup. If, like, if I were to write, you look very pretty, I'm probably going to lose my job. I can't.

[Richard Karn]

Momoa walked in and wrote it on the cup.

[John Holmberg]

I'm nervous about saying that to people. Like, the other day there was a girl here. I'm not gonna say who it is, just so I don't get fired, but she had Holmberg's morning sickness shirt on. And I said, my God, I've never realized how beautiful you are. Like, joking about how great it is to have my face on a shirt. I'm like, you've never looked better in your life. This is the prettiest you've ever been. Laugh, laugh, laugh. And then I'm like, oh, oh. And my mind was like, this could get. This could have gone sideways. If she didn't get the joke. She got it. I mean, I was not too worried about it, but it was funny to me to like, to make the joke. And then I'm like, did I just imply. And my head started to spin. Did I just imply to her that on other days I don't think she's good looking at all without me, she's ugly. Did I just do that? Because that's not the case. Then I'm like, oh, boy. You never know. Frankly, I don't care.

[Unknown]

You're better off saying that. You know what? I think you're ugly.

[John Holmberg]

Here's your drink. Right. Nice try with the face today. Poof. Back in the barn. Yeah, you're better off just saying. You are disgusting to me visually here.

[Unknown]

Well, this is not right.

[John Holmberg]

Well, I. What do you want me to do? I find you completely.

[Unknown]

Why did you have to say anything?

[John Holmberg]

I didn't.

[Unknown]

Why we gotta have robot baristas?

[John Holmberg]

That's exactly right. Human interactions becoming a problem when you find someone attract. Wow. In the olden days that used to it watch the beginning of Harry When Harry Met Sally. I watched the beginning of that a few days ago, not knowing the Caitlin Clark thing was gonna explode. And a guy saying nice things to a girl, not even hitting on. I didn't even consider him hitting on. Just being nice would be considered a rape. The beginning of When Harry Met Sally. And all throughout they have little vignettes of people and how they met. All of them are rape in 2024. All of them.

[Unknown]

Oh, he was so persistent. I said no 100 times. He just kept asking.

[John Holmberg]

Rape. 2024, rape. But. But back in that Movie. It's all romance and the guy just wouldn't give up. She was the one and then the other and then the woman that she would. Yeah, you win her over. She. She was like. I was. I was. The one is dating someone else. I was. And he just kept coming around. He was. That's kind of a dick move on its own. But then. But today it's rape. Rape. Everything about When Harry Met Sally was raped. It's a classic. All the movies that are classic romantic movies. Rape. 20, 24. Rape. He said, my God, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met.

[Unknown]

Well, that's rape.

[John Holmberg]

What? What happened? I thought I saw this in a movie. No.

[Unknown]

Rape. You're raping me. You're raping my. You're raping my space.

[John Holmberg]

I am.

[Unknown]

I don't find you attractive. You didn't know that. So when you told me I was attractive, that was rape. Because you're ugly.

[John Holmberg]

Oh, Jesus. Don't take a chance, boys. You have to know you're handsome like you have to be. 9 out of 10 can't tell people they're pretty anymore. Looking like me, for good. God's sake. If I walked up to a woman I didn't know and said, you might be the prettiest woman I've ever met, I'd be in handcuffs. I'd be smashed up against a police car. Howdy. Where do you get off? I don't know. I thought she was pretty. It's weird. It's a weird world. But the barista gave it a try.

[Unknown]

You have beautiful earlobes.

[John Holmberg]

That's creepy. No. I would throw you up against the police car for that. Yeah. Don't. Just don't. They're too touching.

[Unknown]

You have a beautiful day.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Unknown]

What do you mean? Why wouldn't I just.

If it was rape, Frank.

[John Holmberg]

Rape.

[Unknown]

I need an adult.

[John Holmberg]

Well, I just told her to have a beautiful day. What are you. No.

[Unknown]

Why are you judging? The day's beauty.

[John Holmberg]

Got to stop. It's got to end somewhere. And you know where it's going to end. And I think this is actually good. A few years ago, I was against it. My friend would argue, if we allow gays to get married, then what next? And we're not going to have kids and the population won't continue to thrive. Well, maybe that's the right way to go. Maybe we just kind of breed out. Maybe the gays have it figured out. No more. No more. Procreation is the future. And the only way to guarantee that is his butts yeah, but doesn't mean you got to go gay.

[Richard Karn]

Victor Lynn is there.

[John Holmberg]

But again, then you got to start hitting on girls. You could. You can be vasectomized and still go to jail and lose your job.

[Richard Karn]

Take my chances. I'm not riding around the chocolate LeBaron.

[John Holmberg]

But the ironic part is you go to jail and you're going to be gay. It's just a worse. It's a cycle.

[Unknown]

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[John Holmberg]

Holmberg's Morning Sickness.

[Unknown]

Did anything happen to this barista or the drink guy?

[John Holmberg]

A lot of people. To his defense, so far, no. I think he's so far, no. But how dare you go on Facebook and Instagram and put up cute pictures of yourself just for the heart emojis or you look hot or fire or whatever else. And then when a guy finally says, my God, you're beautiful. And what's rare is that you get a you're beautiful in person because most of the time online you're beautiful because the computer made you beautiful. The filters helped out. People see in person, it's gross. But he wrote it on his cup thinking, you know what? I'm gonna take a chance at this one. I find her attractive. She's a beautiful girl. But you're a barista. You're not what she's after. You don't have any money.

[Unknown]

I gotta be honest with you. You're not as good as you are in your picture.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah, Write that on her cup. Senior website wouldn't recognize you with all those filters. Not good. Six out of ten. That's what we should do. The barista should write four on your cup.

[Unknown]

He thought I was a fool.

[John Holmberg]

We should go overboard and immediately judge people.

[Unknown]

I'll get competitive.

[John Holmberg]

Yep. And then everybody will try a little harder. Whenever you look in the mirror, truly and honestly, assess where you are and recognize. Like I did a long time ago. If your face can get you fired. My face can get me fired. If I spew out any compliments for the wrong person.

[Unknown]

Just.

[John Holmberg]

It's just. It's a truth. It's a fact. If I tell a pretty girl at work, you look beautiful, she looks at me and says, did Squidward just rape me? I'm done. Because I can't go on TV and go, all I did was say, like, look at that guy.

[Unknown]

Ugh.

[John Holmberg]

You wouldn't want him coming on to you. I know he means something. He's gonna do something awful. Look at his face. I'm aware of it. So I just leer at you from a distance and then fantasize at home. The creepy thing I do is take mental pictures of you without saying a word and then masturbate to those later in the bathroom. I ain't saying anything to you. You made us creepy. So look in the mirror this morning and go, I'm good looking enough to try or I shouldn't say anything to any. Now, some people come to work and look fantastic. Not allowed to tell them anymore. End up sitting in HR going, here's some paperwork. Here's your severance back. What did I do? You thought Jill's pants looked nice. Oh, but they did. You're not supposed to notice that. Oh, so what? What did I do wrong? Well, you told her she looked nice. You son of a bitch. Get out of him. Get out of here. Oh, I got tossed. Just got tossed. I got umped out of here.

[Unknown]

It's multipurpose.

[John Holmberg]

Oh, I thought I was. HR Wants to talk to you. It isn't one of those moments where, yeah, it's even. You're out of here. Damn it. I got fired today. Told the woman she looked nice. Why would you do that? Think of that. If you told someone that I got fired. I told the lady she was pretty. Why would you even do that? Like, your friends would be like, why would you? What's wrong with you? Like that's a bad thing now? I don't know. That's creating it all. Being gay. I never hear this in a gay. Never have I ever heard a guy go to Gloria Allred and say that a dude at his work said he looked hot in his jeans. You know what that usually leads to? Bathroom stall sex. Those dudes have it figured out. Hey, Carl. Yes? Nice ass. Meet you in the stall. Let's get back to work. They've got it figured out. Never have I seen a guy crying on the news because another guy told him he had a nice ass. I just went up to Carl. I know he's a homosexual. And I told him I wanted to F in the bottom. We went to the bathroom, we had sex. You went up fired. Hell, no. I want him to come back tomorrow morning early.

[Unknown]

Promoted.

[John Holmberg]

Well, Carl told him he has a nice ass. Again, never, ladies. Ever. Even the weakest, most vulnerable gay. If Brett walked up to him today here at work and said, hey, not.

[Unknown]

For nothing, nice ass.

I like those.

[John Holmberg]

George going in the stall with you? He'd probably take his pants off. Let's just get this over with now. No guys have that. I could tell Brett that today. Hey, Brett, I know we're not gay and stuff, but your ass looks great in those jeans. Brett's not going to Gloria Allred and getting me fired. Thanks, Twink. Appreciate that.

[Unknown]

Right?

[John Holmberg]

He's gonna hit me back with some. And we moved on. But God forbid, as an ugly guy. And we're not even talking about something as crass as nice ass. I mean, hey, nice ass. Ah, this guy's gotta go. We're just saying you look beautiful. You're a beautiful person. You know that, right? I could go to my neighbors right now. Right now. Michael Troy. Nice asses. We're going right to town on it. They got it figured out. Ladies, you're pushing us all that direction.

[Unknown]

That's what was going on at all those Diddy parties. Evidently, he's knee deep into Carl Winslow.

[John Holmberg]

He banged? Yes. Reggie Vel Johnson.

[Unknown]

Yep.

[John Holmberg]

Well, I didn't know that, but. And who told him?

[Unknown]

According to this guy that was talking on 50 Cent's podcast yesterday, he goes, I'm making this up. I'm at a party. Kick down a door, head swings around. It's Carl Winslow. And Diddy is Diddy.

[John Holmberg]

Is banging.

[Unknown]

Going to town.

[John Holmberg]

Urkel's neighbor, the cop from Die Hard.

[Unknown]

He couldn't find. And then I thought about couldn't find.

[Richard Karn]

Someone better than that.

[John Holmberg]

I was gonna say, I would never tell him. He is A nice ass.

[Richard Karn]

Why isn't he going after Denzel or something like that?

[John Holmberg]

I mean, you're gonna do it here, being women. That's a rape. Ugly man. Ugly man. Reggie Vell and P. Diddy. You're making me picture that. And Diddy's the top.

[Unknown]

I go in there and he's wearing out Carl Winslow.

[John Holmberg]

Oh, with the diet Reggieville Johnson had, you're pulling out brats and sauces and soups and rust butt. Nobody that big has a clean ass. Yuck. They eat too many. Every time Reggie Veljohnson poops, he goes back to clean himself and the next phrase out of his mouth has to be, uh, this is gonna take forever. He makes thigh messes. Nobody should have sex with Reggie VelJohnson that way. No. And if you see it, you die with that. You take that to the grave. Hey, Reggieville Johnson, you got a nice ass. All right, follow me. You don't even fit in the bathroom stall with it. Well, thanks for that, Brady. Another Brady detour in the midst of the story.

[Unknown]

It all goes away tomorrow, right?

[John Holmberg]

Shoehorned that one in there again.

[Unknown]

If you're tired of thinking of P. Diddy, but the guy from Family Matters, come to the zoo with me tomorrow.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah, thanks for that anyway. No more compliments, no more giving people smiles are nice things again. Just don't be nice to anyone anymore. That's the key, though. Said John. Listening to how your world works makes me so glad I'm a gay man. Being straight sounds scary and complicated. The rules are changing on you all the time. Just be gay. It's tempting. Nathan, Email me back if a guy at work told you. Nice ass, Nathan. How fast would you two usain bolt right into the men's room and start? It would be so quick. Or you'd just be like, thank you. That's nice, Kevin. I appreciate that. I told Nathan he's got a nice ass today. That's great, Kevin. Good for you. Yeah. Yep. I think I'm gonna get a beej before work's over.

[Unknown]

They're playing hard to get is so much different.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah, you gotta tackle them. It's like a breakaway run in the football.

[Unknown]

Oh, God, he's on me. Oh.

Oh.

[John Holmberg]

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