Are you a ‘treatler’? How on-demand delivery services are turning people into tyrants

Los Angeles: You know how buying a little treat used to be a simple pleasure? Well, now, if you’re getting your snacks delivered through an app, you might just be a “treatler.” It’s a term that’s popped up online, especially when folks start complaining about their delivery experience.

The word “treatler” is a mashup of “treat” and “Hitler,” and it’s been making waves since 2024. It all started when someone poked fun at a user who was all about their fancy snacks. The term caught on, and now it’s a thing.

Every time someone criticizes a delivery worker, the debate kicks off again. Want to stir the pot on social media? Just post about how your order was messed up, and watch the comments roll in.

It’s wild how just a few months ago, everyone was tweeting about their love for treats, and now there’s a whole movement calling that out. It’s like a complete 180.

Some people argue that since gig workers are providing a service, it’s okay to complain. After all, the customer is always right, right? But others point out that for many, especially those with disabilities, these services are a lifeline. So, it gets complicated.

But let’s be real. If you’re ordering a fancy meal and then shaming the person who brought it to you, you’re not really helping anyone. It’s pricey for you, the workers are barely making ends meet, and the restaurants are losing out too.

Before apps like Just Eat and Uber Eats, restaurants had their own delivery drivers who were paid fairly. I remember working at a supermarket where we had decent pay and benefits. Gig workers today don’t have that safety net.

It’s tough out there for them. And the worst part? Some people feel free to make nasty comments about a delivery person’s background or language skills. That’s just not cool and honestly, it’s pretty alarming.

It’s funny in a sad way how these arguments pop up online all the time. Some folks even joke that it’s a government plot to distract us. It’s like a never-ending cycle of outrage.

But nothing really changes. Delivery apps are here to stay, and many restaurants rely on them, even if it’s a bit of a necessary evil. Deliveroo just started making a profit, while their workers are still fighting for better conditions.

And the whole “treatler” thing just keeps the drama going. Some memes are even a bit over the top, like one that shows Hitler with fast food logos. Sure, it’s a joke, but it highlights how being selfish can really dehumanize us.

As wildfires rage in LA, one director was still waiting for his $300 grocery delivery. It’s not that ordering food during a crisis makes you a monster, but it does show how we need to check ourselves.

Next time you think about ordering in, consider going out to eat or picking it up yourself. You might find that the people working at those places are just as eager to serve you directly. And honestly, you probably have more in common with them than with the app creators.