Sexpresso
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Tacoma Public Utilities asks employees not to patronize bikini baristas
by Matt Driscoll
May 29, 2008
Coffee stands and attractive baristas — the partnership is nothing new. As long as there have been coffee stands, there have been dudes who frequent them more for the chance to interact with some hot young thing than the coffee. It’s not rocket science. It’s the testicular fueled American way.
It’s only natural that recently coffee stands have taken it to the next level. Off have come the barista tops, and in their place bikinis, lingerie or household duct tape. These “sexpresso” stands, as the media has dubbed them, have been popping up far and wide — with a few of them, like Lakewood’s Hot Hut — right here in our backyard.
You’ve no doubt heard the ruckus. City officials from Bonney Lake to Auburn to Lakewood have been up in arms about what to do about these tawdry caffeine shacks. Lakewood recently looked into whether the scantly clad coffee pourers were violating indecent exposure laws.
Unfortunately for square soccer moms and nuns, the barely clothed baristas weren’t. The sexpresso stands go on, and at the moment there’s not much city governments can do.
But Tacoma Public Utilities is another story. While they can’t close down the boobalicious baristas, they can, apparently, make sure that no employees driving a Tacoma Public Utilities or Tacoma Power vehicle patronize the establishments.
Some Tacoma Power employees received this e-mail Thursday, March 27 from Gordon B. Caudill, with TPU’s transmission and distribution-line:
“Recently some TPU/Tacoma Power/City of Tacoma vehicles have been seen at coffee stands where the baristas are clothed in bikinis. At least two of these establishments are currently within our service area. Please remind your reports that as City of Tacoma employees the ratepayers and public in general constantly scrutinize our actions and the places we patronize. That stated it is our expectation that no TPU/Tacoma Power vehicles be seen at these businesses. There are a countless number of places to purchase coffee that will not question our integrity in the public eye.”
Granted, it’s not overly surprising that Tacoma Power and Tacoma Public Utilities would cringe at the idea of their trucks being spotted at local “sexpresso” stands. But given the fact these coffee shops aren’t breaking any laws, and we’re only talking about women in bikinis here, it does seem a bit strange that where an employee gets a mocha could bring TPU’s “integrity” into question. You’d think it would take more than that.
Perception is everything, I guess.
“We did have city employees coming to our stand daily and it has dropped off,” says Hot Hut co-owner Patty Tincher. “We were also told that the fire departments around the stand are no longer allowed to buy drinks from us. They were regulars.”
Imagine that. Firefighters frequenting the Hot Hut. All those testosterone pumped men enjoying ta-tas. Hard to believe, huh?
(On a separate note, anyone know where I can get one of those calendars full of half naked firefighters for my wife?)
“We had heard from at least one person, but it wasn’t like we’d received numerous complaints,” says Chris Gleason, TPU’s Community and Media Services manager.
“We don’t have a policy,” she continues. “We’re not trying to limit anyone’s freedom. It’s just a judgment call. It was good to send a reminder that there are expectations.”
Perception is everything, and it’s hard to blame TPU for worrying about their public image. That said, hopefully someday soon people will come to their senses, realize we’re talking about women in swimsuits here (even if some of those swimsuits are made from tape) and people will start talking and writing about something else.
Until then, check out that rack in the picture. Makes you thirsty, doesn’t it?
User comments
submitted 11:42 on May 29, 2008 by Dave C.I would offer that if service to the public were truly up to snuff, management wouldn't be so defensive about TPU's 'image'. One has to ask... what are they trying to compensate for?
submitted 05:17 on May 29, 2008 by AnnI am a married woman with 2 children and I love The Hot Hut. Nicole makes a great drink and we have wonderful conversation!
submitted 04:32 on Jul 6, 2008 by Adam MitchellI REALLY LOVE THIS WEBSITE......
submitted 10:56 on Aug 3, 2008 by JeffI wonder if the empoyees are allowed to go to the local swimming pool or not?
