PrintI Prefer to Call It 'Fat-Challenged'
At least one barista at Starbucks is incensed about having to refer to drinks as "skinny," the term given to drinks made with sugar-free syrup, non-fat milk, and no whipped cream. She supports her stance by saying that the term is politically incorrect, confusing to customers, discriminating, and has a negative effect on people's self esteem. [via Gothamist]
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11 Comments:
I am confused. I thought they already called drinks skinny and have for years? "Skinny" (nonfat milk + sugar free syrup if ordered), "why bother" (skinny + decaf), "half calf" (1/2 caffeinated, 1/2 decalf), also known as "schizo," which could potentially be insulting. Personally, I find these cutesy names entertaining and find that they add to the coffee drinking culture. Silly barista worrying about being politically correct in regards to how one orders coffee. I am sure there are even other names out there and there should be little reason to take offense, what is the point of life if we don't live a little and enjoy it?
waterreflecting at 11:30AM on 01/06/08
does she also get offended by the terms "full fat milk" or "heavy cream"?
coconutlime at 11:32AM on 01/06/08
Wah wah wah. People have been calling these things "skinny" for years. Whatevs. Just another crazy person getting worked up over nothing.
Adam Kuban at 12:06PM on 01/06/08
Yes, she's definitely a freak. I hate cutesy coffee jargon, and always order with real-world language. E.g., "Large non-fat latte, no foam, please."
But then, I've noticed that many Starbuck's counter people are a bit odd, at best. I avoid Starbucks like the plague, but in those rare instances when I do find myself in one, I love to order my coffee using "normal" size descriptors -- small, medium, large. It's quite entertaining, because the counter person almost always gets his/her knickers in a twist, and emphatically corrects your terminology:
Me: "A large latte, no foam, please."
Counter: "A venti latte?"
Me: "Um, a large latte? Yes, please."
Counter: "OK. A venti latte, no foam." [with a look of annoyed disdain]
Me: "Right. A large latte. In the biggest cup you've got."
Counter: [rolls eyes and calls to barista] "A VENTI latte, no foam." [smirks at me] "Five bucks please."
Try it sometime.
LoCo at 1:50PM on 01/06/08
I work at Starbucks (yes, LoCo, I'm one of the freaks behind the counter), and while I have heard some negative comments about "skinny" drinks, most customers have caught on quicker than us baristas - it seems much easier for a customer to say "skinny" than "sugar free caramel skim no whip caramel mocha." I just offer a word of caution - skinny drinks are not diet drinks!
Also, we're required to call orders to the bar in a specific way. Even if you order a large, we're going to say "venti" when we repeat back the order. We're not mocking you, we're following the rules laid by the god of green aprons. :)
KarynMC at 6:53PM on 01/06/08
Who cares what they call it. If you're skinny, then skinny is ok. It's only when your not that it's not.
fewteeth at 10:03PM on 01/06/08
This is nothing more than semantics. Get over it. I never venture into a Starbucks except in the summer for a large ice coffee. BTW..someone just told me that "barista" comes from the Italian word for bartender. I like bartender better. Less presumptuous.
RichardCrystal at 8:29AM on 01/07/08
I guarantee she is a "pleasantly plump", "big beautiful woman" or "big-boned gal"; and would almost bet that if the company had required them to refer to them as "thin" or "ideal weight" drinks, not only would it sound much sillier, it would cause someone else "distress". Not to mention, who is confused when presented two options: regular or skinny?
virgored at 11:37AM on 01/07/08
If skinny isn't diet, as KarynMC barista tells us, then it is confusing. Personally, I just like plain old coffee and don't frequent coffee bars. If I did, I'd prefer to order by number, with each thoroughly explained on the menu. Perhaps they could add letters if #1 or all can be served with everything from cream to non-fat milk. I'll have a #7BD please.
PerkyMac at 3:44PM on 01/07/08
I remember when a stink was raised about DQ's Moolatte ...
OneWallKitchen at 10:51AM on 01/08/08
That's ridiculous, and attention seeking. For goodness sake, we have milk that's literally CALLED "Skinny Milk" in the store.
Skinny is a perfectly good term to use for people who need to have milk that has no fat (or veryvery little) content, in their non-coffees.
LizzieBee at 7:41AM on 01/13/08