Exploiting baristas also a safety issue

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007

It appears as if sex is used in the marketing of virtually everything in today’s world, including alcohol, automobiles, clothing, and now coffee.

It’s no secret that you will find attractive young women at most espresso stands or coffee shops, and it’s not unlikely that you will find them wearing low rider jeans or midriff tops, But bikinis? Lingerie? Yes, it is happening.

I received a call from my husband the other day and he read aloud a want ad submitted by a local espresso stand that was looking for “attractive girls to wear bikinis and costumes.” Apparently young women in Seattle are already sporting thongs and suggestive see-through items while working at coffee shops. What’s next? Neon signs exclaiming “EXXXpresso”? Drive-ups with peep windows? Or maybe prostitution will become legalized and socially acceptable?

Are these shops or drive-throughs going to have maturity ratings posted on the exterior of their business so we can avoid them if we have children (or simply want to avoid the obscene) and want a cup of joe or our grande non-fat decaf vanilla lattes?

Setting appropriateness aside, has anyone considered safety? As a past barista and previous owner of a local espresso stand, safety is a serious issue. Men already frequent these establishments to flirt, get dates, expose themselves, and they often become obsessed and stalk female employees. If this is already occurring, imagine how this behavior may escalate as more and more espresso establishments ask or require their employees to don sexy or less attire in the pursuit of patronage. When did such a risk become worth the return?

The exploitation of young women is sickening and the potential harm of such saddening. Before you support this new trend, truly consider what you are teaching our children.

Jillian Angel

Marysville