A few days ago Starbucks started their new “skinny” drink program. Ordering a drink “skinny” means you’d like sugar-free syrup, non-fat milk, and no whip cream. We didn’t write about it because, um, you can already order that if you want , and we figured you didn’t really care that a basic drink order had a new marketing nickname.

At least one Starbucks barista cares, however, and he/she has written a serious manifesto against the new “skinny” label and is flatly refusing to use it in his/her store. He/She has many reasons, most of which are complaints that the label is confusing and meaningless (what if a customer wants 2% and no whip cream? What then, Starbucks?) and will make the barista’s job harder. On top of that, He/She is offended by the idea of yelling “skinny” all day long.

Here’s part 5:

5) Aside from customers who do not fit societies standards of “skinny,” there are partners that are employed by Starbucks who are “overweight,” and it is ridiculous to think otherwise. Imagine going to work for several hours at a time, and hearing the term “skinny” being called out countless times. It will undoubtedly have a negative affect on a person’s self-esteem that may already be low from living in a society that is generally not accepting of people who do not fit the mold of a “beautiful” person. It creates an environment that people will not want to be in. It will exacerbate self-image issues that partners of ANY size may have. Why would ANYONE want to go into a store where they will hear potentially hurtful terms called out repeatedly with no regard as to how they may affect people?

Do you customers like the new “skinny” label?

A barista tells Starbucks corporate that she refuses to use the “Skinny” lingo [Starbucks Gossip]
(Photo:BILLBINNS)

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