Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Zarna Garg Says Hermès Staff Prioritized Bathroom Door Over Safety
Zarna Garg said she became stuck inside a bathroom at a Hermès store in Berlin.
The bathroom door would not open, so she had to wait inside for more than an hour.
At first, she and her family tried to make the situation funny by counting towels and making paper-towel origami.
Later, they became worried because the door still would not open.
Store workers and firefighters tried to help, but opening the door was difficult.
Garg said the workers seemed especially worried about damaging the door.
She said nobody apologized or explained what had happened after she got out.
An employee reportedly offered her a bottle of champagne, but she and her team declined it.
A video of the incident became popular online, and many viewers criticized the store.
Indian-American comedian Zarna Garg said she was trapped in a Hermès store bathroom in Berlin for about 80 minutes.
Garg and her daughter filmed staff and firefighters trying to open the bathroom’s sliding door.
She alleged that staff were more concerned about preventing damage to the door than freeing her quickly.
Garg said no apology, explanation, or comforting words were offered after she was released.
Her Instagram video surpassed one million views and prompted viewers to criticize Hermès’ handling of the incident.
- Who
- Indian-American comedian and author Zarna Garg, her family and team, Hermès staff, and German firefighters.
- What
- Garg said she was trapped in a Hermès bathroom when its sliding door would not open.
- When
- Recently; Garg said she was trapped for about one hour and 20 minutes.
- Where
- A Hermès store in Berlin, Germany.
- Why
- The bathroom door reportedly malfunctioned or became difficult to slide open; Garg alleged staff prioritized protecting it from damage.
Garg’s Allegations
Reported Store Actions
Priority during the rescue
Garg’s Allegations
Garg alleged that store staff cared more about protecting the bathroom door from damage than about quickly freeing her.
Reported Store Actions
The reports say staff tried to open the door and that firefighters also worked on it, but no public Hermès response to Garg’s allegations was reported.
Calling for emergency help
Garg’s Allegations
Garg said her team became concerned about the lack of progress and demanded that managers call the fire department; she alleged staff were initially reluctant to damage the door.
Reported Store Actions
The articles describe firefighters arriving and attempting to open the door, while differing accounts say staff either suggested calling them or initially did not call them.
Treatment after release
Garg’s Allegations
Garg said no one apologized, explained the incident, offered comfort, or made eye contact with her, and that a staff member later shut the door while she was speaking.
Reported Store Actions
According to Garg’s account, an associate offered her a bottle of champagne as a possible peace offering, which she and her team declined; no separate explanation from Hermès was provided.
- Person involved
- Zarna Garg
- Location
- Hermès store in Berlin
- Reported duration
- More than an hour, approximately 80 minutes or one hour and 20 minutes
- Door
- A sliding bathroom door that Garg and rescuers reportedly struggled to open
- Rescue efforts
- Hermès staff and German firefighters attempted to open the door
- Garg’s complaint
- She said staff offered no apology, explanation, or words of comfort after her release
- Online reaction
- The Instagram video exceeded one million views and drew criticism of Hermès
Sources
Indian origin comedian Zarna Garg trapped inside Hermes bathroom: ‘Useless bag, useless door’
'No Apology, No One Cared': Comedian Zarna Garg Reveals Being Locked Inside 'Cheap' Hermès Bathroom For Over An Hour - Watch Video
