Seattle Simmers with Sexpresso Stands

From espresso carts to couch-filled cafes to portable buildings on the highway, finding a cup of coffee in Seattle is always getting easier. When I first moved to Seattle in 2000, I became addicted to late night lattes, early morning espressos, and any-time-of-day coffee breaks. As time went on, my need for coffee has lessened. But Seattle's coffee scene continues to evolve.

Seattle's newest caffeine trend is the surge of drive-thru coffee stands. Both independent and chain businesses open these stands along the sides of busy roads and highways. Commuters no longer have to find a parking spot to run inside a café for a coffee—now they can simply make a quick stop before going on their merry (hopefully more awake) way. While I still brew my morning coffee at home, I like to check out all the different "specials" the drive-thru stands offer. They always look busy, with at least two or three cars waiting in line.

Then, a few months ago I noticed something different. One of the stands I pass every morning was staffed with young women dressed in, well, not much. I began paying attention to this particular stand. Not only were the employees scantily clad females, but the line of customers was far longer than that of other stands. And, the drivers in these cars were all men.

Not long after this discovery the Seattle Times ran an article about these "sexpresso" stands. The article claims some stands compete by "adding bodacious baristas, flirty service and ever more-revealing outfits to the menu." These "bodacious baristas" are getting more tips for revealing their tits.

While I enjoy my homemade coffee, I occasionally visit some of Seattle's cafes. I have, however, yet to experience one of these pseudo-strip-club-drive-thru-coffee stands. I'm curious, and a bit timid, about what will come next: Happy Hour Special—half price mocha with every lap dance!

Sex sells, but it's too bad these ladies (some who are high school students) need to parade around in lacy negligee and panty flashing skirts to sell a cup of coffee. Another quotation from the Seattle Times article says it all: "At places such as Cowgirls, the barista is the brand."

I mean, don't all women love being compared to cattle?