Starbucks is love! Starbucks has a huge impact on my life---slimming or fattening I could care less! I have a high metabolism.....

I think it's a great idea, just a horrible name. I'm not personally offended, but it seems that Starbucks' marketers didn't really consider their customers' feelings when choosing "skinny". As far as the platform being confusing...it's not at all!! It makes total sense actually! Haha yay for Starbucksssss

I'm not a huge starbucks fan. And even with this news it doesn't make them any more appealing to me. Sorry.

I am confused just reading it. When I order Starbucks, I just order - no special things at all. This will not make me change that.

I hate to burst that employee's bubble...but people have been calling a skim-milk espresso drink 'skinny' for quite some time now. It's not new, and it's definitely not a Starbucks-original. A true barista would know this, and wouldn't care about the "new" ordering system.

Just because you sort-of asked, the tall is the small because there is another size that isn't on the menu, the short. It's the regular size for things like a cappuccino to come in, but you have to ask for it. Read about it here: http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/_/2006/01/why_doesnt_star.html

And personally I don't think the skinny drinks are that big of a deal, I see it could be a little offensive but only if you really wanted to be offended by something.

There are other shops that call skim drinks "skinny", Starbucks certainly isn't the first so it shouldn't worthy of a press-release and a manifesto.

As others mentioned above "skinny" has been part of the coffee shop vernacular for years. SBux has now made it official and are getting press for doing so.

Also Starbucks used to have the Short, Tall and Grande sizes only. then they got rid of the Short because the profit margin on a Tall drink is much higher than a Short and they were able to cut costs by eliminating it.

Starbucks is soo good!

i don't know how i feel about having to order a skinny drink - but i guess that it's a good thing that they are really taking note that they need to be conscious of things so that consumers don't lose faith

Hey, ordering a Grande Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte is easier than ordering a Grande Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Skim Latter No Whip.

Though it seems they didn't train their employees on the whole "skinny" thing because I got the weirdest looks when I ordered my drink this morning.

i like it. makes it easier to order. plus, lots of places already use the term "skinny". there's even a sandwich shop here that has "skinnies"—sandwiches without cheese.

I have already used this term there. Or when I ordered it, the barista called it skinny. Enough with the politically correct. Get over it... people are so afraid of offending others and they lose themselves. I like it - they should stick with it!

I think it's hilarious that this "barista" feels so strongly about her job. Sorry if I'm offending any Starbucks employees, but I really don't see Starbucks as a real coffeehouse - and I definitely don't consider Starbucks employees to be true baristas.

Good move. I always mess up the words when trying to order non-fat, sugar-free, no whip drinks. One word is way easier six.
I also agree that term "skinny" is not a problem. Has anyone had Skinny Cow ice cream bars?? They've been around for years, and are a great.

I'm so glad they have a term that can cover all the things I usually have to list off (no sugar, nonfat, no whip). This will make ordering so much easier for me. I practically get performance anxiety when I approach the counter because I'm worried I'll leave off one of my items. This makes it so much easier and faster to get the drink I want. Hooray Starbucks!!! Just one thing though: they had better tell their employees about it. Last time I ordered using teh skinny term, they didn't exactly know what it all meant. Starbucks needs to get the word out throughout the company for this 'skinny' system to work.

It just seems to me that the barista has too much time on her hands to worry about it. Does she flip out every time there's a change to the menu?

It doesn't bother me too much. But maybe "no frills" would be better?

I think it could make it easier on the customer and the employee.

Maybe she should go work for Coffee Bean if she has a problem.

Wow that woman needs to get a grip. My local coffee shop uses the word "skinny" to describe their coffee drinks made with skim milk -- like a "skinny" vanilla latte -- so I'm used to it. I don't think it is offensive, and it makes more sense than some of the terms they use (like you said about "tall" being small!).

doesn't bother me! I think people should embrace having their coffee taste almost the same without a million calories!

I think the idea for an all encompassing word is great! However, I just came from Starbucks drive-thru, previous to reading this article, and I have to admit I was a little weirded out when the asked me if I wanted a skinny latte. I was like, "What's a skinny latte?"...

yeah good point guys! why not "healthy" or health or lowcal or something like that instead of skinny?

Mmmmm...Starbucks...one of my favorite places.

I love Starbucks. And I always get my drinks decaf and skim - but I still want that little burst of sugar since it's a treat, so 'skinny' wouldn't work for me anyway. But I actually think it's great that this barista is so into her job that she's thought this through and had issues with it. What's wrong with that?

This is so stupid. I've been ordering a tall, nonfat latte (now considered 'skinny') for 5 years from SBux. It's a marketing ploy, people, that is all.

That barista is ridiculous. I love Starbucks and usually order my drinks w/ nonfat milk, sugar-free syrup and no whip - Asking for a 'skinny' will make my ordering process easier! I think it's a great idea to officially add that option to their menu.

Like others, this is nothing new to me. I've been ordering mine non-fat, no-whip forever, but it's good it's on the menu now.

I like it b/c my order would be "sugar free vanilla, skim latte" now it can be "vanilla skinny latte"

haha..you guys are really funny. I just order the drinks. I don't care about the skinny or w/e. I just figure, it's a starbucks drinks, it's like eating a chocolate bar, and I only drink them about once a month. But chocolate more often... But sometimes I feel guilty and order it with skim milk. But then cancel out any benefits by adding the whip...mmm...that's the best part.

i remember the first time i went to a Starbucks in London and when I asked for a non-fat latte, the barista gave me a weird look... then i said "fat free milk?" and she still gave me a puzzled look... and then she said "do you mean with skinny milk?" and i thought about it for a second and said "YES." either way, i dont care whether i have to order my drink "skinny" or with all the extra terms of "non-fat, sugar free syrup, no whip." as long as i get my drink, that's all that matters.

Sounds good to me, 1 skinny decaf for moi

I think people think to hard on it and who cares. Order it and get out of my way LOL

Frankly I think that it is great. I didn't go to Starbucks as much before because I was confused as to what I needed to cut from the drinks to be healthy and each drink is different. Now I can go in say that I want my ------------'skinny', and that is great. No one will get offended by the term 'skinny' because the people that order their drinks 'skinny' are watching their weight. I love it and wonder why they did not think of a better process to start with!?

For me, this is great because I always get the wind knocked out of me after I ask for a grande sugar-free skim vanilla latte

That is exactley how I drink my coffee. Nonfat sugar free dolce cinnamon latte with no whip cream. So this will make my life much easier.

If your fat, then your fat. Stop getting all up in arms because we call something "skinny". If you don't want it, don't order it!

Taylorbath, performance anxiety. I laughed out loud when I read that because I feel the same too; sweats, shakes and cracking voice all the way.

I think this is a good move on Starbucks menu but like everyone already said, it's not new by any means. For the barista, good that you are so into your job and all, but really?

The skinny term is not referencing a skinny person people, it's the type of drink! It is sad that people need to pull the politically incorrect card all the freaking time; what more do we need in America?

It's certainly a lot easier to say "skinny" instead of "sugar-free, non-fat no-whip" like I usually do.

Maybe I have a little problem with the name...I mean although I am "skinny" do I really want to create the notion that skinny is better for young folks. Its like skinny jeans and the folks who cant "fit" them. They might as well called it "thin". I mean doesn't a thin mocha sound great!

YAY now it will be easier for my BF to get me the drink I want... he always makes fun of all my requirements

To answer your question on how "skinny" they are, they are apparently 90 calories : as seen on the sign in my local starbucks. As for people getting all worked up over the term "skinny", it's ridiculous -people are too sensitive, not everything has to be so damn "pc". Are there people out there who are deeply offended by the term skinny jeans as well?

I heard about this through Hungry Girl's email:

"The Buzz Word at The Bucks - Starbucks is gettin' all HG on us, and WE ARE PSYCHED! If there's a limit to how many words you allow yourself to say in a day, you are SO in luck. Now, instead of ordering your lattes and mochas at Starbucks by asking for sugar-free syrup, fat-free milk, and no whip, simply walk up to your favorite barista and ask him for a Skinny Latte or Skinny Mocha, and he'll know EXACTLY what you mean. All you have to do is pick your fave flavor (the Skinny Latte comes in Cinnamon Dolce, Vanilla, Hazelnut, and Caramel!). A Tall size Skinny has just 90 calories and no fat!"

Personally, I'm a Dunkin Donuts girl myself. But anyway...

This woman is overreacting just a tad. It's not the end of the world, lady. It's coffee, for crying out loud.

Why would people be offended by the word "skinny"? That's ludicrous. I'm the little jerk who orders a grande, non-fat, sugar-free, extra hot, no whip cinnamon dolce latte, so I like it! (Hey, if I pay $4.47 for a glorified coffee, I want it done the way I want it!) I'm a fan because it makes my morning order a little easier

I think you can still order short. It's just not on the menu. Short definitely exists in kids' drinks like hot chocolate.