I similarly refuse to use Starbucks' cute-isms for cup sizes (Venti, etc.) but I won't have any trouble ordering a McPlant - it might even provide me another reason to visit a McD beyond the wireless-for-the-price-of-a-coffee reason.
Most people misunderstand Starbucks size names. They think they're all smart assuming that Starbucks calls a small drink "tall" because of marketing or whatever. But it's actually the too-cool-for-school crowd that is wrong.
"Short" is in the shortest cup. It's the small size.
"Tall" is the taller cup. It's the regular size.
"Grande" is the large size. "Grande" means "large."
"Venti" is extra-large. "Venti" means "twenty," and is used because the drink is twenty ounces.
Because Starbucks doesn't list the "short" size on the menu, angry people assume Starbucks is trying to hide something. But it's not. Just ask for a short. I've never been to a Starbucks that didn't have the short size.
When I order a "short," about 90% of the time the response is, "Don't you want a 'tall,' instead? It's the same price." My response is, "It's not about money. It's about portion control." And everyone goes about their business.
All true, but the names are still "cute". Small, regular, large, XL work just fine.
That said, I'm already order what amount to a liquid dessert with a silly name, so IDGAF. Venti Frappathingamajig with extra whip and a side of the 'beetus please.
Around here I'll often go somewhere and ask for "your smallest size of chips" or something, and they'll tell me they don't have small, only regular. OK thanks for that unnecessary interaction.
Re. "short", I am the opposite - I am ordering the "largest". I appreciate the thought they appear to have put into the sizes and your associated explanation but I think using numbers (1-4?) would have been more intuitive but I guess then it would be less distinctly Starbucks?
I thought it had something to do with the day they changed their prices by changing the names - what was a short became a 'tall', and the tall became a 'venti'. Essentially charging more for each size (charging the tall price for what used to be a short) etc.
