She Sat Down for Lunch in Front of the Eiffel Tower – But What She Did Before Eating Shocked Everyone Nearby. Genius Trick or the Grossest Thing on the Internet?

I love practical tips and tricks that can save me in various situations. Hey! I even share such tips on my site. But, some tricks should never exist! Like the one I am presenting today. Seriously, people should stop using this now!

I thought that after I shared this trick – in fact a gross hygiene infrigement – the lady saying you can clean your underwear in the hotel by using a cofee machine – because, hey, the water and soap are so…. unpopular and out of reach in a hotel (?!?) – and here I will have a link to the article – I would never find another topic that will shock me the same.

And yet, here it is.

I have to say: after I saw it, I had an immediate question: Eating after touching that and not washing your hands?????

And then I looked at how people reacted. And I am sharing their reactions to you too!

Oh! And this – the trick – is not even the worst part! I couldn’t believe it, but there is something even worse!

But I am getting ahead of myself.

Here is what happened:

An Instagram user (an influencer?) posted a reel from Paris.

A city I love! I spent a few days in Paris – but I have to go back to take in again the city’s charm! 

The caption? Something harmless:

“Name something better than biting into a fresh baguette with a view of the Eiffel Tower on a sunny Paris Day.

“I bet you can’t.”

Hmm… actually, I can: I would take a croissant with bacon and Swiss cheese any time over a baguette (yes, I discovered this combination in Paris and now I make it at home too!).

But I digress.

It is not the caption, but what she does.

The reel shows her while sitting down. She is in a dress. You do not catch it at first, but she is removing her undies.

Yes.

You read that correctly. She is taking her underwear off. 

And they are red.

Really! White dress, red undies.

Here comes the first shocking thing (for me):

The video is filmed from a distance. She is not doing a selfie. 

I do not know if she has a tripod or if she is with someone. 

Still, if she is with someone, I have to ask: did she tell them what she plans to do?

Didn’t they think for a moment that what she wants to do is not a good idea?

Not to mention everyone looking?

Anyway, the video continues.

She takes her undies and uses them as a scrunchie for her hair – essentially turning it into one of those “tie your hair without a hair tie” hacks you sometimes see online. Yes, the reel is about a hair hack using underwear. But there is more to it!

Now, as a woman with mid-length hair (sometimes more than that) I totally get wanting to keep it in a ponytail for comfort. Frankly, that is my go-to summer way to wear my hair. 

But, knowing that I might get too hot to leave my hair free, I always have a scrunchie in my purse or pocket (when I am not using a purse). It is not something that takes me by surprise. 

And even if it did (maybe I would forget my scrunchie) I would never dream of using my undies! 

And now comes the worst part in my opinion: As you saw above, her caption is about eating a baguette near the Eiffel Tower. And yes, you can see this Paris landmark in the background. The setting is beautiful. But, after she touched her undies with both her hands, she took the baguette and started eating it. 

Yes. Without washing her hands – or even using a hand sanitizing tissue. This grossed me more than I could say, but, beyond that, I want to take this moment to advise against this – because it truly is a health hazard! 

The source of the trick? Pamela Anderson. But there is a catch!

The Pamela Anderson 90s hair trick vs. The Influencer Reality 

Now, after I saw this, I wanted to learn more – and see if this is a new trick or not. 

And I discovered a short video from an interview Pamela Anderson did for Vogue. 

In that video, she mentions that she has a G-string in her purse – and that it is a trick of the trade. Don’t tell me you don’t have a scrunchie. And she shows how she uses that pair of undies for her hair. Yes, this is the Pamela Anderson G-string hair hack.

But, I would add this: that pair is clean. NOT worn – like the one in the video mentioned above! And that is a huge difference. In the video I mentioned, Pamela Anderson says: “Don’t know why I have a G-string in my purse, but don’t tell me that you don’t have a scrunchie. This is the trick of the trade. We’re really flashing back to the ’90s. The tousled updo always had a pair of panties in them.” 

So I am not saying that the trick does not work – I am saying that in no way should you use a worn pair of underwear! And eat after that or not clean your hands! 

How People Reacted – From Applause to Discomfort

The reactions to the video were as revealing as the video itself. What stood out immediately was not just the diversity of opinions, but the number of people who either normalized or even celebrated the behavior.

Here’s how the responses break down:

1. Shock, Disapproval, and Concern

Some viewers reacted exactly as you might expect – with discomfort, disbelief, or outright criticism:

“Dignity isn’t a thing nowadays?”
“What a world we live in”
“Being honorable would be better”
“This is so attention seeking its a bit embarrassing 😭💀”
“Volgare” (Vulgar)
“Faites ça aux Etats unis si vous voulez, en France on a légèrement plus de dignité, c’est quoi ça ???” (Do this in the United States if you want, in France we have slightly more dignity, what is this???)
“I wouldn’t approve a man taking his pants off to wear them as a scarf… why would you do this 😢?”

These comments point to a clear perception: that something about the situation crossed a social or behavioral boundary.

2. Humor and Entertainment

A part of the audience didn’t take it seriously at all – they saw it as funny or absurd:

“🤣🤣🤣 Idk why but this is hilarious”
“This is so silly”
“Hahah love it 🤣”
“The looks on those men’s faces are priceless”

And speaking of those men – yes, there are three of them visible nearby in the video. Their reactions alone are telling. “Puzzled” would be a polite way to describe it. It’s clear they did not expect what they were witnessing.

3. Approval and Encouragement

Then there were those who actively supported or admired the behavior:

“Queen”
“Mujer que resuelve 🔥” (A woman who finds a solution)
“I think I just found my soul sister💯🙌🏻”
“A woman simple’s gesture is so powerful on men that they’re almost having a heart attack 🫡 Please do more and let life make a natural selection for us queen 🤝”

This category is particularly important, because it shows how easily behavior can be validated – even when it raises obvious concerns.

4. Relatability – “I’ve Done This Too”

Possibly the most surprising category: people who said they’ve done the same thing or could see themselves doing it:

“Jajajaja yo también he hecho eso jajaja 😂” (Hahaha I’ve done that too 😂)
“Done that 😅”
“I could definitely see myself doing this especially on a summer day in Paris it’s just so hot, and they don’t believe in AC over there 🙋🏼‍♀️✨🫶🏼🤌🏻❤️🙏🏼💁🏼‍♀️🥰 definitely my soul sister now that’s high couture💅”

This is where the ripple effect becomes real. Once behavior is normalized publicly, it moves from “shock value” to “acceptable workaround” in the minds of some viewers.

5. The Hygiene Concern – Almost Ignored

Out of all the reactions, one stood out precisely because it was so rare:

“Not gonna comment on how silly this is, but eating with those hands is really unhygienic!!!”

And that brings me to the most surprising conclusion.

After going through all these comments, what stood out to me wasn’t just the mix of reactions, but how few people actually focused on the real issue.

Many applauded it. Many laughed. Some even said they’ve done it themselves.

But almost no one addressed what, from a practical standpoint, is the most concerning part: the hygiene risk.

And that, more than the video itself, is what should give us pause.

The Pressure to Go Viral – And the Line That Should Not Be Crossed

With more than 21 years of experience in marketing and strategic communication, I understand very well what sits behind content like this. Visibility today is not accidental. It is engineered. Every post, every reel, every “unexpected” moment is designed with one goal in mind: to capture attention, generate engagement, and remain relevant in an increasingly crowded space.

For influencers, the pressure is constant. Algorithms reward visibility, not necessarily value. The more people react, comment, share, or even argue, the more a piece of content spreads. And that creates a very real incentive to push boundaries – sometimes gradually, sometimes abruptly – in order to stand out.

But there is a line. And it is not a vague one.

When content shifts from entertaining or surprising into behavior that raises hygiene concerns, public discomfort, or potential health risks, that line has already been crossed. Not because it is “shocking,” but because it becomes irresponsible.

As I said when discussing that coffee machine incident, this is where critical thinking should intervene. Before posting, there are a few essential questions that should not be optional:

• Could someone imitate this behavior?
• Is it safe for them to do so?
• What are the real-world consequences, beyond the video?

And equally important – from a purely strategic perspective:

• Will this content strengthen credibility, or trigger backlash?

Because while virality can be immediate, reputation damage tends to last much longer.

There is nothing wrong with wanting attention. But when attention is built on questionable choices, the long-term cost is often underestimated – and rarely worth it. 

The Paris Hair Hack That Went Too Far

At its core, this is what many would call a “hair hack” – a quick way to tie your hair without a scrunchie.

But in this case, the setting, the context, and what happens immediately after turn it into something very different from the typical tips people search for online. 

So, yeah, while we often look for viral travel hacks to make our trips easier, many are becoming common hygiene infringements that seasoned travelers warn against. Is it hygienic to eat without washing hands? Definitely not. And definitely not after touching your used underwear! 

Later edit: it appears that there is an even older video with this solution – part of a movie?

• initial inspiration source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjBPI6zXYA4

Sources:

• the original reel is here  – account cocoyogi
• the video with Pamela Anderson is on YouTube – Vogue 
• featured photo: Pixabay

Violeta Loredana

Violeta-Loredana Pascal is a communications expert, business mentor, and the founder of Earth’s Attractions and PRwave INTERNATIONAL. A pioneer in the Romanian digital PR landscape since 2005, she holds a degree in Communication and Social Sciences from SNSPA Bucharest. Violeta is a senior trainer at AcademiadeAfaceri.ro, where she leverages over 20 years of experience to teach professional courses in PR strategy and workplace productivity. By blending high-level business consulting with a passion for holistic travel and wellness, she empowers solopreneurs to overcome procrastination, build profitable brands, and design a life of purposeful adventure.