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Go ahead and add another word to your arsenal of Starbucks lingo. Along with no-whip, half-caf, and venti, say hello to skinny. In this case, "skinny" means nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup, so you're getting fewer calories and sugar than in, say, your average latte. They call it "The Skinny Platform." But not everyone is on board. The Starbucks Gossip blog featured a letter from a barista sharing her concerns about the new drink title. Among her complaints? A new drink type will cause confusion among customers, and use of the the word "skinny" to describe a beverage is politically incorrect, and could hurt customers' or workers' self-esteem. "Should we start calling drinks with 2% or whole milk and regular syrups "Fat" or "Obese?" she stated. "In today's society, the term "skinny" often refers to a person who is considered TOO thin or unhealthy looking. People will not want to order a drink with a name that they associate with an unhealthy appearance."
The letter set off a barrage of reader comments, many of them attacking the letter writer's assumed weight or appearance, and suggesting that if she not like it, she get a new job.
What do you think? Is the new platform offensive? Would you feel embarrassed (or proud) to order a "skinny" latte? Should Starbucks be more sensitive to their customers' needs? And furthermore, should they be required to take individual workers' opinions into consideration? Or should the workers just adhere to whatever new rules are dictated to them by upper management?
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1-23-2008 @10:45PM Partyof6 said... I just emailed Starbucks 4 days ago because I DO NOT LIKE THE NAME.... I agree how would everyone feel if they had to order a FAT latte or a Double talll Fat latte...... Starbucks would be sued over a Fat Campaign. They really need to either come up with another name or just call the drinks what they are, Non fat, sugar free latte.
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2-03-2008 @8:14PM Sharon said... I LOVE that Starbucks have come out with their "Skinny" line. It makes ordering so much easier for me. I don't like the sugar and I don't like the 2% (or more) milk. I LOVE sugar-free and fat-free options. People get upset about anything/everything nowadays...it's just plain silly.
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2-27-2008 @1:53PM Emily said... Wow! I can't believe anybody would think that a Skinny Latte is politically incorrect and could hurt customer's and employee's feelings!!! I am a Barista at Starbucks, and I weigh over 200 pounds, and even the thought of being offended over the Skinny Latte has never crossed my mind! I thought I might point out too that Starbucks has always offered about five different Sugar-Free Syrups as well as non-fat milk, so I'm not sure why everyone is all of the sudden like "Oh!!! I need to try a skinny latte!!" when they always could've gotten it before, it just has a new name! lol but what can you do! I still love my job and my Starbucks!!!
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3-08-2008 @2:23PM jdbeatty said... Print out cards on your PC that describe the drink you wish within the framework of the Starbucks lexicon. Hand one to the Barista each time you visit. If your drink comes out inccorect add the recipe to future cards.
"we have met the enemy..and they are us" - Pogo
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3-16-2008 @12:19PM michelle said... FYI for Starbucks lovers....almost all the "skinny" drinks have been available for a long time (only the sugar free mocha and ginderbread and I think cin. dolce are new). Also, Starbucks uses the term "skim" not "nonfat" when refering to milk. A "skim white mocha" is not fat free, so it can't be called "non-fat white mocha". The skinny lattes are fat-and sugar-free. All Frappuccinos can be made light and most with sugar free syrup but won't be totally fat and sugar free.
As for being upset by the term "skinny"....really!?! Its just to make it simpler to order. A "venti-sugar-free-cinnamon-dolce-no-whip latte" becomes a "skinny cinn. dolce".
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1-16-2008 @5:00PM mixup said... I've been waiting for YEARS to be able to order my favorite Starbucks drinks without sugar. I don't care what they call it - people are WAAAAY too easily offended these days - I'm just thrilled for the chance to order a frappachino or a pumpkin spice latte without all the sugar. So color me a Starbucks skinny fan.
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1-18-2008 @12:27PM Peter said... I worked in 2 different coffee shops almost ten years ago (Not Starbucks), and that is what we called a nonfat latte. Pretty soon we'll have to change the name of the Big Mac or Whopper because it could offend someone
1-17-2008 @12:38PM am said... i agree with mixup....and since when do people refer to skinny people as "TOO thin or unhealthy looking"??? please......people need to think about what they say, and dont hate on skinny people :-D
1-17-2008 @1:37PM Coffee lover said... Just so you know....you
Just to let you know you HAVE
been able to order Frapps for years without sugar...."coffe light" frappaccino is made with skim mlik and splenda, no sugar, no fat, half the calories of a regular frapp. I have been drinking these forever!!
1-17-2008 @2:23PM willard said... please.....just order the item if you like..
save your criticisms for important issues...
1-17-2008 @2:34PM driftdaisy said... Mixup - unfortunately you cannot order a pumpkin spice latte or frappuccino without sugar. For many years Starbucks has offered a select number of sugar free syrups. (vanilla has expanded to hazelnut, cinnamon dolce, mocha, gingerbread and caramel) Nonfat milk has also been available. the only thing to change with the introduction of "skinny" is the name. Not ALL drinks can be made with sugar free syrup so don't too excited before you get the "skinny" on the options.
1-17-2008 @2:35PM driftdaisy said... and to coffeelover - LIGHT frappuccinos do include artificial sweeteners, but still have a significant amount of sugar, and are NOT fat free.
1-17-2008 @3:40PM b said... I used to be a barista, gosh about 8 or 9 years ago now and we used the term skinny all the time. BFD get over it.
1-17-2008 @3:40PM meme said... I agree. Seriously, where do people find the time or energy to constantly be affended about every little thing. There are a few bigger things going on in the world to worry about than what you call your Starbucks! Wow.
1-17-2008 @6:12PM Billy said... I totaly agree with you. Gimme a break its just the name of a drink. There is no need to be offended by this.
1-17-2008 @6:14PM Chanel said... I ssssooooooo agree with you. Sometimes my latte has way to much sugar. And don't they use the term "skinny" in old movies in regards to coffee? I know I heard that somewhere before.
1-17-2008 @6:15PM Donna Rivers said... WoW I think the "skinny" is great.. I am Diabetic and feel most comfortable knowing that I could order something that wouldn't totally harm me.. People who write some of these letters just need something to gripe about.. EVERYTHING now a days has a title.. who cares what the name is? people are not going to drink something if they don't like the ingrediants, right? so in saying this someone needs to "GET A REAL LIFE".
1-17-2008 @6:19PM jajustic said... I wish that people would stop over reactiong about every litlt thing. I am glad that starbucks has simplified the request for a lowfat/sugerfree version of a high calorie coffee drink. Know all I have to say now is that I want a skinny caramel macchiato......
1-17-2008 @6:19PM jewlzd said... seriously LOL who cares it makes it so much easier to say "Skinny" than sugar free this and fat free that. This person, sorry who ever you are, and sorry it offends, but sooo much easier and I love the idea and name.
1-17-2008 @6:19PM cori said... I'm with you. People Soooo need to get over themselves.
Glad starbucks is on board with the skinny!
GO Skinny!!!!!