Click here to visit the new home of that's fit!

Hot on HuffPost Healthy Living:

AOL.com
MAIL

Send Feedback

Not everyone is happy with 'Skinny Starbucks'

Posted on Jan 9th 2008 11:54AM by Martha Edwards

As a bit of a self-confessed coffee maniac, I am happy that some of the beverages at Starbucks are going 'skinny', as Bethany pointed out a little while ago. But not everyone is happy about the change. As Diet Blog reports, at least one employee has spoken out about the change.

The source of her frustration? The wording -- the term skinny can have a negative impact on both the customers and employees, especially after being called out loudly countless times a day. Want more info on the complaint? Click here.

I can see her point. It might be embarrassing for some to ask for a skinny beverage-- it's almost like announcing to the whole store that you're on a diet. What do you think?

Source

3 Comment

Tags: beverage, coffee, light, skinny, starbucks

Around the Web

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Vishaal 1-09-2008 @ 12:04PM

I totally agree. It's so "Hollywood" if you know what I mean. It just makes me uncomfortable that little teenagers are going to go and ask for a Skinny Latte. NOT a good message to send to youngsters who are so easily influenced in most things, especially weight. NOT a good use of words for this "Skinny" drink.

Jackie 1-09-2008 @ 2:40PM

As an overweight individual, I like the term skinny. It's saves the glares that I receive for treating myself to a drink. Now everyone knows I'm not splurging on the extra calories. It's on my diet!

Jennifer 1-10-2008 @ 12:04PM

I do not agree with the Starbucks barista’s comments on the new “skinny” drinks. They are grounded in speculation and her own personal feelings, not based on facts or evidence.

She assumes that the new policy will confuse the employees and customers, but it is not her place to speak for those people. I am a Starbucks customer, and she does not speak for me. Change is always confusing at first, but the Starbucks employees who are well-trained and adaptive will catch on quickly. Those who aren’t adaptive or willing to learn won’t catch on, and they will be the ones to cause problems.

If the new “skinny” terminology confuses customers, then It is up to the employees to guide the customers on the new policy. It is also up to customers to be specific about exactly what they want, especially if they know their drink is complicated. I have not encountered a Starbucks barista yet who resents my spelling out exactly what I want.

This barista also presumes to know what customers will think about the new terminology. She cannot know what’s inside other people’s heads. Customers will decide for themselves if they are offended by the word “skinny” or not.

I can dispute her fact on point 4, that people are just waiting to sue major corporations. I, for one, am not. I have better things to do with my time. Again, her assumption is not grounded in fact. Until someone actually files a lawsuit against Starbucks for the “skinny” drinks, her argument has no grounds.

Finally, this barista has no standing to presume what her fellow company partners are and are not offended by, whether they are overweight or not.

As a long-time Starbucks customer, I have been ordering a (take a deep breath) “venti, non-fat, sugar-free, no whip cinnamon dulce latte” for years. Now, all I have to do is say the size I want and say “skinny.” Starbucks has made my life easier.