Woman tries controversial tactic to get more food with Uber Eats. She doesn’t know whether to be happy or disappointed that it worked

A woman decided to try a new strategy while ordering with Uber Eats. Then she realized how disappointing it was that it worked. 

Ishini (@ishiniw), a TikToker, posted a video that received more than 79,000 views. In it, she explained how simply changing her name to a male’s on the app got her more food, more cheese and a better quality serving while ordering with the delivery app.

“ I don’t know if I’m p*ssed off or happy right now,” she said. 

Do most businesses serve men more food?

There’s no specific, concrete evidence that businesses have a bias toward men and serve them more food.

Some publications, however, argue that gender does impact the way people perceive portion sizes. A study from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology “found that women consumed smaller portions of an available snack after interacting with a more versus less desirable male confederate.”

Additionally, it found that many people have a mental association with women eating smaller portions. The study concluded that individuals found it more memorable when women ate larger portions versus when they had smaller ones and that the same food can be gendered depending on portion size.

But the study also ran experiments specifically testing whether men and women receive different portion sizes when ordering food. It found that there was no comparable difference.

“While associations between gender and portion sizes were evident in stereotypes and memory, there was not strong evidence that this effect emerged in actual portions given to participants in a naturalistic field study,” the conclusion reported. 

Anecdotally, people have reported the exact same phenomenon that Ishini experienced happening to them. An article from Scoop Upworthy discussed a Reddit post where a woman changed her name to a male one. She noticed an immediate increase in food portions. 

How did commenters respond?

Many commenters agreed with Ishini’s discovery. Some viewers added that they, too, have changed their names on platforms such as Uber Eats in an attempt to get more food.

“It’s true. I always order under my husbands account. The quantity and care is noticeable,” one commenter said. 

Another added, “I did this experiment and changed my name to my boyfriend’s name. MAJOR DIFFERENCE. I ordered a pizza and that box was HEAVY because they overloaded it with toppings, cheese, and sauce.”

Other viewers said they wanted to try out the method, despite its “sexist” energy. 

@ishiniw

I’m ready to tussle ?‍?

♬ original sound – ishiniw

“So publicly we now identify as men to get the perks. Geniuses!!!” one viewer said. 

The Mary Sue reached out to Ishini and Uber via email for more information. 

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