Whenever I buy a beverage from starbucks I always say small/medium/large rather than tall/grande/venti. I dont really understand why they chose those terms for the drink sizes because they dont really correspond with the sizes logically.
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Yeah, but I used to work there, so it's become second nature. I think a lot of people just order the way they're most comfortable, not necessarily using SB terminology.
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Well, originally they had a smaller size called short, so short was the smallest, then tall, grande and venti. Now I think they keep the weird names because they can--branding and all.
*You might still be able to order short?
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I use them just out of habit! When I first started going there it was really confusing but I got used to it eventually.
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I used to go to Starbucks every day and I totally started using their terms. Then I went on maternity leave and got a bad case of mom brain. Now I'm back at work but I still struggle every time I try to order a coffee there!
@tororojo: I think you can still order a short, you just have to ask for it. It's not on the menu!
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@tororojo: I order a short coffee all the time!
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I use their terminology - but I think small, medium, large is more descriptive. They're just trying to be fancy!
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This is soooo passive aggressive but I say medium or large just to undermine the branding.
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@mrbee: Same here. I always say small or medium! I refuse to say whatever their words for it are, because I think it's silly. "Tall" does not equal "small"!
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@mrsnana: yah that too! Your reason is better than mine!
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haha. I use Starbucks terms.
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@mrbee: hahaha!!
I wonder if it's so that people might think their sizes are bigger than a competing coffee house?
I always say medium because that's what I know. I also prefer going to the local coffee shop as opposed to big chains. And they use sm/med/lg.
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I used to go to Starbucks occasionally, and when I did, I would use their "code," I haven't gone recently, though, and I must say, I love the passive aggressive-ness of using "small," "medium," and "large..." Haahahah.
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@mrbee: I also think it's annoying/pretentious, which to me falls right in line with their "branding", so our reasoning is pretty much the same
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Glad I'm not alone I always cringe a little when I hear people say venti or grande, because I just feel its too forced. I remember chuckling when I paul rudds character in role models was irritated by the term venti.
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@Mrsbells: Haha venti is the only one that makes sense, since it is 20 oz!!
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@mrbee: hahahah I do too!
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I don't mind using their terms. If I was really against it, I wouldn't go into Starbucks. That would be better pay back, dontcha think?
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@Andrea: yah I don't go into Starbucks unless it's the only option!
I used to love sbux too, especially the founder! Then I discovered that many places have yummier coffee! It was a revelation.
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@mrbee: I'm sure there are so many yummy coffee shops by you! Unfortunately, I am kinda stuck with Starbucks in the burbs. I did start getting McDonalds drive-thru coffee instead because it's way cheaper and tastes just as "ok".
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I usually will only order tall so I'll say it. Sometimes I say small. I don't really think about it, but now that I am thinking about it, I probably say "small" about 75% and "tall" about 25%. Haha.
I can't wait to get a pumpkin spice!!!
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@highwire: The venti is actually is 24oz thats the weirdest thing why I dont understand their terms, because none of them match up
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I'm only good at Starbucks terms because I use to be a barista. I had such an annoying complicated order while pregnant. Extra hot, single shot, Half-caf, grande, skinny vanilla latte. I'm usually happy with a plain grande skinny vanilla.
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@Andrea: Lol, McDonald's coffee is Seattle's Best... which is owned by Starbucks.
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@Mrsbells: I think it's 20 ounces for hot drinks. 24 ounces for cold ones.
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@Honeybee: haha, great, can't escape! I just like not having to get out of the car and the price!
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@Andrea: Seriously, it's much cheaper.
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@mrbee: Oh I see... makes a little more sense now!
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I was in a long line at Starbucks this morning and most people used the SB terms. The guy ahead of me ordered a large and I couldn't help but give him the side-eye. Haha. It's like the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld...there's a method to their madness. For me it's the same thing as pronouncing Houston St. in NYC as Houston, TX instead of "Howston." When in Rome...
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@mrsjazz: The soup nazi had the best soup in the world!!
If Starbucks had the best coffee, I'd definitely use the right terms and the step two steps to the side and wait quietly!
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haha I use small, medium, large because I think they are a total rip-off and don't want to accidentally pay for a larger size because I'm confused.
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I use them because I was a barista there in college!! Although I actually never go there now and there is one right by my house! It's too expensive (especially some I know how cheap Jose drinks are to actually make!)
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Oye- auto correct! Jose = those
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@cheert16: I was just thinking, "Dang I'm not cool any more... I have no idea what a Jose drink is!"
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yup, but in my defense i fully know that i'm a starbucks addict. my gold star card prove it, so i cant deny it.
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I refuse to use the Starbuck's terms just on the principle of the matter. I always say small, medium or large and I know it pisses off the baristas at times.
Edited to add that I'm glad to hear that others are passive aggressive about their order too. I personally prefer Pete's, Tully's or virtually anywhere else.
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@mrsjyw: Also an addict. My gold card is nice and shiny and just waiting to get me all sorts of free drinks.
When I worked in a cafe that WASN'T a Starbucks, I was the resident SB translator. All of the customers from the city came into our little cafe, and would order a 'grande' such and such or 'venti' so and so. So I interpreted for the other girls at work (and laughed because...who uses those terms when they AREN'T at a Starbucks?)
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@mrsjyw: what's a good star card?
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@HeatherlovesKenny: Ah, that's so me! My order is grande decaf sugar-free vanilla soy caramel macchiatto. I feel like such a pretentious a-hole ordering it! I used to just order a decaf soy skinny caramel macchiatto, but then got told by a barista that skinny cannot be soy, it's skim, so I have to order the sugar-free vanilla syrup separately. Pissed me off. Like, c'mon, you know what I mean.
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@mrbee: If you have a Starbucks card, you can register it to get points. You load your Starbucks card with money, and just use that to pay for your drinks. If you use a registered Starbucks card, you get "upgrades" (soy milk, flavored syrups, etc) for free. After so many points, you earn a Gold Star card, which gets you a free drink every 15 drinks (I think).
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43 comments