Definitions to order coffee

Recently, I have started reading the Language Log. One of the older articles is a commentary on the sizes offered by Starbucks. While the commentary is pretty funny, what caught my attention was the reference to the Latte Lingo page from Starbucks. I'll immediately note that this particular link to the Latte Lingo is found on the Japanese version of the Starbucks site. However, a Latte Lingo page also exists for Hawaii here. Seems like Starbucks may sense some tension with customers in the Pacific. Anyway, check out this list. One of my favorites is Whip, which is listed as

Short for "whipped cream." Want to save a few calories in your Caffè Mocha? Order it "no whip."

This is pretty dumb. Why have the list in the first place? Are there people that feel afraid to tell someone what they want to drink and use the wrong words? Do we enter another country when we pass through the doors of Starbucks? C'mon! And why do paying customers need too use the lingo that the coffee servers use. I refuse to call them Baristas (except this one time)! You're paying money for coffee! Let them do the translation of your order and condense the language if they need to do so.

Starbucks makes pretty good coffee beans, but the stores are ridiculous! Enjoy your experience the next time you order a pint of coffee at your local Starbucks, right around the corner.