February 19, 2008
Are Starbucks' 'skinny' drinks offensive?
While looking at the MSN news I came across this article dealing with Starbucks recent controversy. Basically within this article discusses the coffee drinks that are now referred to as "skinny" because they have fewer calories and fat. Wouldn't there be a better way or name to refer to these coffee drinks. I think that this is a good example of how women are targeted in such marketing schemes. Starbucks response to these claims that they were focused on their clients that are health conscious, not specifically women. I will admit that occasionally I will have a coffee from Starbucks, just because a drink is called "skinny" would not make me more apt to purchase it over my caramel frappuccino.
13 comments:
Hmm, this is one of those times when I feel like the word choice is maybe over-analyzed a little bit. While you could take it as far as saying the term "skinny" is offensive because it has las calories, I don't see it as worth making a fuss over. We're always jumping on everyone for not being respectful and p.c. but sometimes I think we get a bit overzealous about it. To be honest, I don't think I would have ever thought twice about it if it hadn't been pointed out to me.
I have to agree with kiki on this issue. It's never really crossed my mind to take the whole "skinny" in a wrong way. I just see it as a lighter, healthier option. In fact, I think of the whole Skinny Cow brand when I hear the word "skinny." I mean I take it what it's suppose to be taken as, as using skim milk instead of whole milk. I believe if women are truly getting upset over this, I feel they are just over-analyzing and need to focus on it's actual meaning. I doubt Starbucks is out to judge any women based on if they order a Tall Skinny Latte or a Tall Latte.
I honestly can’t believe this is an issue. When I read stories like this I just can’t help but think “Aren’t there more important things we should be concerned with?” As college students, especially those of us who are liberal art students are taught to think of everything through a critical lens. Personally when I read these kinds of articles I feel like it’s a joke compared to what people should be concerned about. Obviously our society has an obsession with looking as healthy as possible, but does this argument that women are the targets of constant self esteem and body image issues? Or is this all just in women’s heads? As a woman, a healthy woman at that I have my share of difficulties when it comes to how good I feel about how I look, but the truth is these controversies are so trite that it makes us as a society look even more superficial. When are women going to get over their body issues, stop perpetuating these ridiculous events, and just enjoy who they are?
Another point to bring up is the fact that woman aren’t the only targets to body image issues anymore. More and more men are being admitted to eating disorder clinics and getting plastic surgery that it’s definitely hard to say this is only “offensive” to women. But what does that say about our society? How exactly did this pressure to be perfect on the outside start spreading? Are magazines to blame, models, actors, actresses, musicians? Or are these ideas manifested in our own heads?
I don't think this is over-analyzed at all. I think advertising had every intention to target women. Why? Maybe women don't buy certain Starbucks drinks because they are more fattening. When hearing the new "skinny" drink, women would be more apt to buy this drink.
This totally reflects on our society. Body image and "thinness" is valued extremely high. It's sad, but true. How can people resist this culture? How can we work to change society's "out-of-order" values?
Not to sound ridiculous but I can completely see where Starbucks' is coming from on this one. I don't think they are targeting just women, because as some of you have said there are quite a few men that care about their bodies and how they look. We live in a generation that revolves around image, it is shallow, but it exists. Our generation is also more aware than previous ones. For example, my parents would never have thought that they should be working out when then they were my age. My dad and all of his friends smoked cigarettes at the young age of 12 and I am sure they abused alcohol, unknowing that it could kill you. Our generation is also very much aware that a "hearty home cooked meal that sticks to your bones" could kill you. Our health should be a priority and we owe it to ourselves to treat our bodies with respect. To be honest it is healthier to drink a milkshake then it is to drink some of the Starbucks' drinks. If we are watching portions it is ok to put this type of liquid into our body, but it is difficult to monitor portion sizes in high calorie beverages. To get to my point the term "skinny" shouldn't be as offensive because it is made with fat free products. I know of many guys in our age group that watch what they eat and would be inclined to buy a "skinny" drink instead of a horrifying 1000 calorie, heart attack in progress coffee.
I also believe that some people are overanalyzing the use of "skinny" as a name or size for one of starbucks' drinks. I don't think that the descriptive name "skinny" is anymore detrimental to me than the other names of their drinks; tall and grande could also be offensive depending on how I perceived them. I guess I don't believe that you can go through life and worry about every little descriptive term and see that it is aimed at your specific gender and someone is trying to send a message. Good God there are other way more important things to worry and think about. It's a coffee drink for crying out loud.
I would say this is definitely over analyzed!! I agree that society and media may make women feel offended in certain terms and expectations but talking about a coffee drink that is low cal and fat is going a little too far. I dont mean to be rude but would say that women need to be a little more confident if this is something that may offend them.
I think that this is a catchy advertising scheme on Starbucks part. America is overweight and obesity is on the rise. I do not think this is negatively related to women. I would buy this drink if I was at Starbucks.
Just to throw down some more on this pressing issue, I have to say that I work at a coffee shop(that isn't corporate Starbucks) and must say that we and our customers use the term "skinny" to indicate the desire for skim milk. I don't feel it's offensive or marketed towards women at all unless taken out of context. It does evoke an image that you are trying to go for but I have seen obese people order "skinny" drinks along with starved looking adolescents.
What shocks me is when parents make an executive decision for the children to have skim milk only. This is shocking to me because I think kids need that kind of fat and to be putting them in the "dieting", "Calorie-counting" mindframe at that young of an age is extremely detrimental to their psychological health.
Some more "drink" for thought: One day I thought about referring to drinks made with whole milk as "fatty" or perhaps "fatties" ... While I admit it has a satisfying ring to it, I would never use the term because it is such a negative buzz-word in our society.
I think that naming it "skinny" is a great marketing scheme on starbucks part. It's not offensive to me, but the women who are aware of their weight and watch their calories are easily satisfied to see this new item on the menu. I agree with kiki, this shouldn't be over-analyzed.
I think that there are bigger things to worry about, like the obesity problem in America.
But anyway, "Skinny" drinks are an attempt to appeal to a feminine crowd that is concerned about their appearance. In a world with growing obesity, there is a greater value placed on a person if they are outwardly appealing, i.e. skinny people are becoming the minority. For example look at the American fascination with celebrates.
Whether you are skinny or not, Star bucks is naming this drink "skinny" with hope that you will buy it to show everyone that you are concerned with your outer appearance.
I agree that the term "skinny" is overanalyzed. I probably would not have given it a second thought had I not read this post; since I have given it a second thought though I've come up with my insight. I think it probably has some clever marketing appeal to it but not necessarily directed exclusively at women. Americans are growing obese. So as a result, they are looking for "healthier" alternatives. Honestly, I could see this marketing campaign easing people's minds over their Starbuck's choices. It's the easier option and it does not require any effort on the individual's part nor does it require them to give up the coffee. I'm sure people feel better just saying, "I'll have the skinny, please".
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