Does that get you a short at Starbucks or a venti?

Though I've never understood why people get so upset about Starbucks sizing terms (and before anybody responds with it, yes I've seen Role Models), restaurants and chains frequently make you say stupid things to get what you want. Personally I hated when IHOP made me say "Super Rooti Tooti Fresh and Fruity" when I just wanted a couple pancakes with fruit topping and sides of eggs, hashbrowns, and sausage for whomever I was there with.

It gets me the venti.

The starbucks one particularly bugs me because the words they use actually MEAN something, and that something does not relate to the relative size scale they're supposed to. Yes, Rooti Tooti Fresh and Fruity is a stupid thing to have and say, but at least you know what you're asking for. And while "venti" does mean 20, and thus actually does relate to the 20oz cup that it refers to, there's nothing about "grande" or "tall" in combination with "venti" that that indicates, "venti is the smallest, grande is the next size, tall is the next size." Especially since, in my book, 20oz of coffee is a large coffee. When I hear "Do you want venti, grande, or tall," that to me sounds like "Do you want large, large, or large?"

I never remember which is which but a) when I say small they give me the smaller of the three and when I say medium they give me the middle; I've never run into the mythical barrista confused by not using the proper term; b) they're all up there on the menu in order of size. I've never had to order from memory.

Earlier today from their twitter feed: "It never left, but based on feedback we're updating our new drive-thru menus to remind you that the Tall size is always available."

Um folks... venti is the biggest

I always order a Teenie-Weenie.

Never had a thing from a Starbucks in my whole life, they replaced the wonderful local coffee shop in the bookstore of my Alma mater and I have never forgiven them, this discussion makes me feel even better about it ;)

I'll pass the smelling salts your way after I'm done with them, iSm.