Melbourne woman says she’s been ‘dehumanised’ after Tik Tok video goes viral

A Melbourne woman enjoying a cup of coffee alone was unwittingly involved in a viral video that she says made her feel “dehumanised”.

“I hope this made her day better,” reads the caption on Harrison Pawluk’s Tik Tok video of Melbourne woman Maree.

But the video, which would go viral and be viewed more than 58 million times, actually ruined her day.

The 19-second clip shows Maree sitting down for a coffee in a Melbourne food court.

She is unaware that nearby a pair of young men are filming as the Tik Toker approaches and asks her to hold some flowers for him.

He puts on his jacket and back pack and tells her to “have a lovely day”.

It was meant to be a random act of kindness but Maree says she didn’t want the flowers and she most certainly didn’t want the attention of tens of millions of people around the world.

@lifeofharrison

I hope this made her day better ❤️ #fyp#foryou#foryoupage#viral#wholesome

♬ original sound - Harrison

Speaking with ABC Radio Melbourne’s Virginia Trioli, Maree says she feels “dehumanised” and that she challenges the notion that the random act of kindness was random at all.

“A guy came up and asked very politely whether I’d hold these flowers for him, so I did,” Maree explained.

“And, you know, I made a bit of chit chat about, you know, who was the lucky person, blah, blah. And anyway, he said, ‘Oh, someone very special’.

“And then he really just, you know, put his backpack on and his jacket on and just sort of strode off.”

The footage, shared by the 22-year-old to his 3.2 million followers, was picked up by the Daily Mail which ran a story that Maree says misrepresented her as a lonely, sad woman.

“They must have gone through the film and they got this picture of me looking, you know, supposedly crying but it was just a horrible expression. And I just was quite offended.

“He interrupted my quiet time, filmed and uploaded a video without my consent, turning it into something it wasn’t, and I feel like he is making quite a lot of money through it.”

She said people should “challenge” the notion that the videos are “random acts of kindness” and that she was surprised “that it’s actually legal” to film somebody without their permission and upload the video to be viewed millions of times online.

“I don’t really even take it personally anymore, but I just think that other women, especially older women, should be aware that if it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody.”

In a statement, management for the 22-year-old said he was trying to do something nice.

“He offers flowers and pays for complete strangers’ groceries, and while cynics may claim it’s for views, Harrison simply has a personal commitment to helping people feel more connected and trusting,” the statement said.

A Melbourne woman was unknowingly part of a viral video that has been viewed 58 million times

“His videos are filmed in public places and so technically do not require consent.

“Having said that, while he has only so far encountered gratitude, if someone is upset, then they should feel free to personally email him.

“He would not want something designed to spread love and compassion to cause anyone concern.”

News.com.au last month interviewed Melbourne man Rustam Raziev — a Tik Toker who has also amassed a giant following with “random acts of kindness” including paying for strangers’ groceries.

He said people did get the wrong idea about why he does it.

“I think as long as I have good intentions, that’s what matters,” he said.

“At the end of the day, you always get hate from some people. I’m trying to sort of ignore that a little bit. I do good and I feel good about it. I do it with good intentions which come from my heart. I think that that’s what matters at the end of the day.”

Originally published as Melbourne woman says she’s been ‘dehumanised’ after Tik Tok video goes viral