The quest for crowd-free Walmart shopping is a sacred ritual for the introverted. But for New York creator Gia Pendergast (TikTok@giapendergast), even a 7 AM alarm couldn’t guarantee solitude.
In a video shared with nearly 30,000 viewers, Gia recounts her early morning trip to Walmart for cat food and litter. But before she knew, it transformed into a 20-minute awkward encounter with a total stranger. Her video shows the social exhaustion that occurs when an online following meets real-world errands.
A ‘quiet’ 7 AM Walmart trip turned into a surprise Instagram meet-and-greet
Gia’s morning began with an accidental “in-store pickup” order for heavy cat supplies. It forced her to go to the physical Walmart store, which she usually avoids if there are more than five cars in the parking lot.
While navigating the self-checkout, she noticed a woman “eagle-eyeing” her from the next register. It turned out to be Joanne, a dedicated follower who doesn’t even have TikTok but has followed Gia on Instagram for years.
The ‘Joanne’ encounter escalated from a chat to a hangout request
Hoping to be polite, Gia pulled her cart to the side near the exit to engage Joanne in conversation. However, after 20 minutes of talking, Joanne dropped the ultimate introvert’s nightmare. “You should give me your number, maybe we can hang out sometime.”
Gia was internally reeling, noting that the Walmart conversation was the hangout. It had already exhausted her social battery for the next quarter. So, another “hangout” was out of the question for her.
The ‘house visit’ proposal was the final social straw
The situation reached a peak of awkwardness when Gia tried to joke her way out of the request. She asked Joanne if the hangout involved leaving her house. But Joanne’s immediate “Oh no, I can come there” response forced Gia into a blunt professional boundary. “I don’t give my number out”.
Gia clearly told Joanne, “I don’t give my number out” and speed-ran out of the encounter. She ended the video by clarifying for her audience, and Joanne, that there is a 90% chance she’ll cancel any plan made. That’s even for people she actually likes.
For creators like Gia, the barrier between their “online persona” and their private life is thin. Followers often feel a sense of “parasocial intimacy,” believing they have a real-world friendship with their favourite creators because they’ve watched their stories for years.
However, for the creator, these real-world interactions can feel like an extension of work. Lately, many public figures are setting firmer “Walmart boundaries.” They want their followers to recognize that their 7:00 am errands are not designated fan-meeting hours. And a follow on Instagram is not a waiver of their right to personal space.
How to handle a ‘Joanne’ encounter at 7 AM with grace
If you’re an introvert just trying to buy cat food, an unexpected encounter with “Joanne” can be overwhelming. If you see more than five cars, as Gia suggested, trust your gut and come back later. 7:00 AM is safe, but as Gia proved, even the early bird gets recognized. But you can handle it with grace.
First, acknowledge the follower, but keep your hands on your cart. Moving your cart to the side, as Gia did, signals that you have time to linger. But you shouldn’t open that door if you aren’t ready for a 20-minute chat.
If someone asks for your number, follow Gia’s lead and offer your social media handles instead. “I don’t give my number out” is a complete and valid sentence.
Remember, you are not a “mean person” for wanting to go home to your children and end tables. Your home is a private sanctuary, not a fan-meet venue.
Walmart at 7 AM: Enter at your own social risk
Gia’s Walmart saga is a hilariously blunt reminder that digital boundaries are hard to maintain even at 7 am. While Joanne might still be waiting for that coffee invite, Gia has officially served notice to every NY follower that her social quota is currently at zero.
We’re hoping Gia’s husband manages to get those 120-pound end tables up the stairs. But after your next midnight shopping spree, keep your 7 am errands strictly anonymous.
Published: May 18, 2026 08:57 am