An American who became an internet sensation when she complained about seafood prices in Australia has hit back at her “haters” – as she was rushed to hospital.
The woman, who uses the names baal.and.chain and Hunky Dory on her TikTok account, sparked debate when she complained about the cost of lobster in Australia when she craved a lobster roll.
“Just a quick update for all my haters. I’ve been in the hospital for the past week — not for eating too much fish,” she quipped.
“I had a bad reaction from an anesthesia.”
One woman (pictured) revealed why it took her a week to respond to comments about her online
The woman, who may still be feeling the effects of her hospitalization, then made a strange comment at the end of her latest video.
“Yes, I use taxpayers’ money,” she said. ‘Die insane, damn shit.’
The first part appeared to be a pre-emptive strike at those who might now want to accuse her of using Medicare despite not being Australian.
It was unclear if the second part was what she expected the “haters” to say about her, or if that’s what she said about her.
The expat had taken to social media to complain about cravings for a lobster roll – or a shrimp cocktail or crab cakes – after a hot summer’s day by the pool.
But she just couldn’t satisfy her craving because “lobster costs about $60 a pound.”
She said it was “ridiculous” that lobster was so expensive in Australia because “it’s a damn island”.
This led many of the “haters” to point out that Australia is much more than just an island.
“First of all, I want to say that I know Australia is a freaking continent, but it’s also an island,” she said in her latest video.
“God, a lot of people don’t give me a shit about that.”
In the original video, she complained that seafood was “cheap and plentiful” growing up in New England on the US Northeast Coast.
“I’ve had seafood all the time… maybe not super cheap, but it wasn’t like Australian prices,” she said.
An American complained in a video about the cost of seafood (pictured) in Australia
“And I just spent a day at the pools and it’s hot and I just want a friggin’ lobster roll or shrimp cocktail, some crab cakes, donuts and chowder.”
The commentators quickly corrected her American English and made suggestions on where to go for good seafood.
“Not a shrimp cocktail, it’s a shrimp cocktail,” one wrote, while another advised, “If you’re in Australia it’s crabs, shrimp and kilograms”.
“You have to try mistakes. Moreton Bay Bugs are the best. You’re like a mini lobster. Trust me,” said another.
In her follow-up video from the hospital, the woman joked that all she wanted out was some free food.
“I thought I’d get some free seafood from this,” she said.
“For example, John West, bring my PR kit. It’s ridiculous (they didn’t send me free seafood).
“I mean, I’ll take what I can get. Hunky Dory (one of her TikTok names)… ticks off.
She said growing up in New England on the US Northeast Seaboard, seafood was “cheap and plentiful” (pictured a lobster roll in the US).
“I’ve had seafood all the time… maybe not super cheap, but it wasn’t like Australian prices,” she said (pictured clams in chowder broth in New York).
Her revelation that she was not well brought some much-needed support in the comments below her video, with people wishing her well and hoping she recovers soon.
There was also some anger at how she was treated with her previous video, in which one said: “F*** the haters. Aussie Seafood is a rip off! Get well soon.’
“Do you know you made it into the Australian media,” said another. “You’re kidding an entire country.”
She was also told that people shouldn’t be angry about her medical treatment.
“I don’t know anyone is mad that you’re using the publicly funded healthcare system,” one said.