Starbucks: Stop Calling Me Skinny

I think if food was called "skinny" or "fat", it helps you realize what you are putting into your body. Just look at those reactions. People don't like the truth. I'm all for it!

i think its silly for people to be worried about the 'skinny' drink. as a matter of fact, these drinks have been called 'skinny' for years (fat free milk, no whipped topping). i dont believe referencing a drink as 'skinny' is any different than referring to any other drink as 'diet'- that would be like everyone who picked up a diet drink regardless of their weight, would get offended- why is this different? why not just call the thing diet? ie, fat free and sugar free, just like every other diet drink out there

My gosh, don't some people have anything else to do, but try to think up ways to use the word discriminiation. I am an overweight woman, who has no problem, what so ever, going to Starbucks, and ordering a Skinny Latte'. I'd much rather order that, than order an "extra fat" one!! It only a drink!, not a person! I agree, with you Staci, what's the difference of with ordering "Skinny" than diet, fat free. If I go to Starbucks and don't say skinny, than I'm still ordering a fat free Latte'. If the word Skinny Latte' offends the overweight employees of Starbucks, than they have bigger problems to worry about, than that! They need to stop obsessing about words and start doing something to make them feel good about themselves. Personally, when I order my Skinny Latte', it makes me feel like I'm making a good choice and trying to do something that's healthier for me.

My gosh, don't some people have anything else to do, but try to think up ways to use the word discriminiation. I am an overweight woman, who has no problem, what so ever, going to Starbucks, and ordering a Skinny Latte'. I'd much rather order that, than order an "extra fat" one!! It's only a drink!, not a person! I agree, with you Staci, what's the difference of with ordering "Skinny" than diet, fat free. If I go to Starbucks and don't say skinny, than I'm still ordering a fat free Latte'. If the word Skinny Latte' offends the overweight employees of Starbucks, than they have bigger problems to worry about, than that! They need to stop obsessing about words and start doing something to make them feel good about themselves. Personally, when I order my Skinny Latte', it makes me feel like I'm making a good choice and trying to do something that's healthier for me.

If they really wanted to sell more of these lattes, they'd call it the "skinny bitch" drink.. sorry... couldn't resist.

Skinny jeans??? Then we have, uh, uh, oh yeah, Husky!

Dear Barista: Switch to decaf, honey. Life is short. Pick your battles.

I think her points are valid, if I was working all freakin' day slinging coffee and being overweight I wouldn't want to hear "skinny" over and over again. I can turn on the tv when I get home to here that crap.

It would me nice if some people stop making light of other peoples feelings as "no big deal" just because it's no big deal to you doesn't mean it doesn't affect someone else in a negative or hurtful way.

Auh... right. Because it's the customers fault that someone is overweight; HOW DARE YOU, CUSTOMER!?

Maybe, humm, grow a spine, or an extra layer of epidermis? If someone has such a victim complex that they can take a completely unrelated matter to be a personal attack, maybe they should rethink their job choice.

That said, Starbucks coffee taste like burnt bark, much better making your own coffee drinks at home if you can.

Cry me a river. Fatties should be called out anyways. Otherwise, they'll never get pissed off enough to make the change.

And if a fatty doesn't want change, then they are insane, as is anyone else who might be happily afflicted by a serious and curable health defect.

Why coddle the sugar slurping? That's what this is all about. The big baby drinking a sugared beverage doesn't want to be reminded of the fact that they are addicted to a hazardous substance. Forget that!

Did people ever have trouble with a restaurant called "Big Boy"? Or "Fat Burger"?

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By the way, artifical sugar is garbage too. Rather than "Skinny", they should call it "Aftertaste" or "LD-50".

Fact: The LD-50 of sucralose is one third that of sugar. (10,000 mg/kg vs. 30,000)

I guess "Three times more toxic than sugar!" just doesn't sell much chemical precipitate these days.

Either way, if you walk into a Starbucks, good luck!

Thank goodness we've come so far where discrimination is concerned that we can worry about things like this!

Um, not.

There is real discrimination out there waiting to be tackled...cases where people's rights are negatively impacted by their color, genitals, religion, and orientation. Can we worry about these before we start coddling those people who are offended by everything?

I'm offended by all the offense! Something you see or hear hurts your feelings? Do what the rest of us do and get over it. Just so you know, the US's free speech laws mean its legal to offend others.

Sure, it is absolutely 100% illegal not to serve someone because they're fat. It's not at all illegal to name an inanimate drink fat, skinny, ugly, beautiful, or stupid. Why isn't anyone offended by the Fatburger chain? Or Skinny Cow Ice Cream?

Boo hoo, people.

Political correctness does have a place, but like anything else - in moderation. This is going way overboard. Get over it!

If you are offended by the word skinny then stop being fat. Stop trying to act like a victim and take some personal responsibility. Do the work to get in good shape.

If you're sensitive about your weight and are likely to be offended by a cup of coffee called 'Skinny' then you need to do something about it... and Stay The Hell Out Of Starbucks !

If you *think* like a fat person then you will continue to be a fat person...

Better idea: call *yourself* 'Skinny' until you start believing it :)

I was on the other side of the "fence" and at long time was a fatty. Then I did something about it and I'm now one of the skinny's. I just don't get it! It's just a word! If it bothers you so bad being over-weight do something about it. Go to weight watchers, or in my case have gastric bypass surgery. Just don't sit there and cry about the problem do something. By the way, I've been drinking the skinny drinks for years but I prefer fat free!! Ha Ha!

People need to stop worrying about words and how they identify with them. Be yourself, be happy and words are just words...until you give meaning to them. People need to wake up and smell the joy of life, instead of giving their self worth into being identified as a victim.

As a starbucks employee, I find it kind of intresting that this has sprung up. "Fat-free", and "sugar free items have been served at starbucks before this promotional item was launched. I guess it wouldn't be politically correct to call a, drink "skinny", but what would you rather call it ?....it's a healthier option for customers to chose from, and i don't see a problem with it, if people stopped taking things so personlly, they would probably wouldn't be so upset. Get over it, there are way more serious issues in the world than a the usage of the word "skinny.

so if I am short, and ask for an espresso short? Should I be offended? Come on, lighten up!

I think it's ironic and funny to call something at Starbuck's skinny anyway. All that crap that they serve shouldn't be called skinny, you might as well make your own coffee compared to all the loaded stuff is in those espressos, frappicinos, etc. It's like saying "Hey have your cake and eat too! The drink taste great but it's zero calories!" What a crock of crap. That's why their are so many people drinking diet sodas now, and they wonder why they have a pizza face... zit-o-tastic!

But I guess you can call it skinny anyways because of the mind set of being and thinking skinny SHOULD equal "fat-free", and someone who wears a size 0. Hey, maybe this Starbuck's deal would encourage to buy more drink's called "A cock of crap" or no I mean "Skinny Drinks, so they can not focus on how they are taking advantage of little girls and boys in Africa....

BTW, I say this crap that Starbuck's wants to promote, seems like it would encourage people to drink "these 0 calorie drinks" so that wouldn't have to feel guilt about drinking that regular frappicino. Alas, I still don't buy it (not literally) that this would be a some sort of superfood, so it should not bother people....

I've frequented coffee shops for 10 or 15 years now and have used the word "skinny" when ordering most of my drinks. Can I have a tall skinny cafe mocha please?

Oh My! I can't believe there is a discussion here about the name given to a drink. Where is this world going?

People should stop feeling sorry for themselves and start thinking about people with 'real' problems - like starvation and living in a war zone!

Think about it!

Please, people, "skinny" is an adjective, just like "short", "tall", "fat", etc. It's just a drink, for crying out loud. I doubt a latte is going to get mad at anyone that dares call it "fat", lol. And maybe some of those 400 calorie drinks SHOULD be called "fat mochas" or whatever. At least then people would be fully aware of how much fat they really are drinking.

I'm surprised that we didn't get sued in grade school for calling the fine tip Crayola markers "skinny markers" and the broad tip ones "fat markers". How dare we??

Spectra said:
And maybe some of those 400 calorie drinks SHOULD be called "fat mochas" or whatever. At least then people would be fully aware of how much fat they really are drinking. [...]

Venti latte breve (no sugar, no syrups thank you very much)....only way to go if you ask me!

Well, if that is the case; then McDonald's should change the "big" mac, skinny cow icecream, smart one's frozen dinners. Let's not be so sensitive.

I must admit, for being someone fairly short in stature I suppose I have been continuously offended (though have no reason to take personal) the "hight" terms in reference to the sizes of these drinks. Quite frankly, starbucks is unique in starting the smallest size as "tall". I suppose they have something against a "short" or perhaps even "average" person? Maybe I do not consider things as heavily and emotionally as I should, and I too could make money on a frivolous lawsuit?

Starbucks needs to concentrate on the taste of their coffee. It's nasty! Considering the company's stock value, organization & CEO changes........the company NEEDS to give customers whatever the hell they want...skinny, fat, size 00 or 22!

I don't think the word itself is offensive. Some of these comments are. "Fatties?" Wow. Just, wow. Kailish, I have to say what you posted is ignorant and insensitive.
The word skinny, not so much.

This whole discussion reeks of the chicka-fa-cation of America. If we keep this up mens penises are going to shrivel up and turn into vaginas. Give me a break you feelings whores. The most important thing in life is not your damn selfish self centered feelings. If you are offended about the name of any drink you are an imbecile or ten. I know I know, I hurt someones feeeeelings....boo hoo

People clearly don't have enough to complain about. If you're fat or feel offended by having the customer in front of you order a skinny drink, DEAL WITH IT. Honestly if your self esteem rests on what you're ordering at Starbucks and *gasp* not ordering a "skinny" drink, then you have more problems then being fat.
And neither society nor Starbucks is asking you to be skinny in this situation. By offering skinny drinks, Starbucks is making it easier to ask for your non fat, sugar free drink, no whipped cream drink. And society in general isn't out to make people feel bad, people make THEMSELVES feel bad. If you're part of the 66% of adults in American who are overweight you sure as hell have reason to feel bad.....and MAYBE you'll finally take some action and do something about your appearance and your health. Being fat isn't just detrimental to your self-esteem, it hurts me to see your size 12 thighs, ass and midsection in a swimsuit or trying to squeeze yourself into a pair of jeans, but you're going to die of a heart attack or diabetes by the time you're 50.

Why not take the time you spend ranting about being discriminated against for being overweight (which I understand CAN be a health issue, but USUALLY isn't)and do something about your health like get on a treadmill. Don't drown your sorrows in a 400 calorie starbucks drink and complain about having a low self-esteem cuz the customer ahead of you opted for one under 100 calories and expect people to feel sorry for you or care.

It is never a good feeling to be called names, so if people were just more careful of these things, people wouldnt get offended as easily.

Glamour coffee in little sippy cups for the adult children. Wah wah wah.

Heather -
Thanks for your comment. I agree 100%. Who cares what someone calls a drink. But how dare we start calling people names.

I have continued to read the articles and comments on this blog because they are thought provoking and helpful. What happened to the supportive group I thought you all were.

Chloe and Kailish - your comments are just plain mean. You seem to have alot of hate out there for the way someone looks, when you haven't a clue as to their hearts. How superficial. Shame on you. May your obviously perfect bodies never have an extra pound, may you never suffer from depression from a divorce or death, may you never grow old, sag, suffer a debilitating illness that zaps your stregnth, may you never have dry skin a bad hair day or even a zit or worse - we wouldn't want to mar your perfection.

If calling someone, "Fattie," will make them loose weight, will me calling you an a-hole make you become a considerate and respectful person? Hmm, no? It will just upset you and cause you to be even more disrespectful, this time to me personally for calling you an unpleasant name. Taunting, while fun to all the bullies on the playground, in the adult world, does not help promote healthy habits.

Maybe I, at 5' 0", should be offended that the extra-large drinks are Tall. Or used to be. Maybe the Short People's Lobby got right on that and made Starbucks' switch to the confusing veni vidi vici business...

i am fat (with a diagnosed metabolic condition). i exercise regularly and am able to stay pretty healthy. i dont find the use of adjectives hurtful if used in a "non-mean manner". tall, short, fat, skinny, black, white...... are just descriptive words but can be used to intentionally hurt people. i dont agree with some of the posts and lean toward dawn and amandas viewpoint but i have to defend everyones right to post their opinions no matter how much i loathe them. in these days following the imus controversy i tend to defend free speech more than a few hurt feelings! so i think i will waddle the mile down the road to starbucks for a skinny something.

I know there are much more important things to complain about. This is a non-starter.

I drink skim milk. When you drink skim milk regularly, and you take a gulp of 2%, it tastes like cream.

I don't care what you call skim milk, but the price at Starbuck's is where I take exception.

Oh please will everyone stop being so darn politically correct????? the whole thing about being "afraid" to say anything is insanity! Stop with all the political correctness and just be nice good people. btw- I diet with losemyweight2008.com - nothing there is not nice. if you are unhappy about your body image then change it and stop advocating unhealthy life styles. I drink my coffee "nonfat with no sugar" . Pretty simple. Stop with the words and just be nice

As a non-skinny I have to say -- who cares? Who has time to worry about what Starbucks names their lattes?

Being a big person myself i don't really care what they call the drink they own the company they can call the drinks whatever they want I'm pretty sure if you really like starbucks that much you will still drink it even if they called it poo as long as you knew that it wasn't and you really knew what was in it. but what really pisses me off is dumb a** bi***es that want to use this as a way to try and talk s**t about big people and how they should be disgusted or made fun of so that they can change maybe it is YOU who feels disgusted for being such an ugly person inside that you are as well ugly outside and you have no choice but to make fun of other people to feel an ounce maybe just a tiny ounce of satisfaction because you can't stand to be you.