Local Perversion or Sign of the Times?

[akirlu]

So, those of you who do not live in the Pacific Northwest, does the phrase "bikini espresso" call to mind several local establishments, some, or none? Does the phrase "bikini espresso" even signify anything to you, or is it on par with "surfboard sandwich" or "wetsuit salad"?

Okay, other shoe: In these parts the landscape is fairly littered with drive-thru espresso shacks whose primary gimmick (to distinguish themselves from all the other drive-thru espresso shacks) seems to be baristas clad in bikinis. These are not in any way related to each other, except by having decided to go for the same gimmick. In fact, they're enough of a thing that for a while (perhaps still) there was a problem with one or more patrons exposing themselves to the staff. (This seems readily fixable with web cams and phone cameras, but that's a training matter, and might force the shack owners to pony up hazard pay...)

Does your neighborhood have any espresso shacks with bikini-clad baristas?

Comments

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I got the sense from the one evening news item I saw about the guy who flashed a bikini barista that yes, the shack was heated. That may not help all that much if you're forever having to lean out an open window to collect payment, make change, and hand out coffee cups, though. And I would guess the consideration for employees probably varies from one owner to the next.

But yeah, we do have a remarkable encrustation of drive-thru espresso places, with not much to distinguish between them in the absence of gimmicks. I've never patronized one, myself, though I was sorta tempted by the place out in the middle of the woods near Mt. Rainier that advertised itself as having a "Hunters' Special: Hazlenut Mocha Latte". Because nothing warms the bones of a tired hunter quite like a hazlenut mocha latte.

[voidampersand.livejournal.com]

That would be a great thing to have while they are cooking up the Chicken Cacciatore.