Ghetto latte
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghetto latte or bootleg latte refers to a latte where the customer has used the free milk and other condiments to convert a cheaper drink into an approximate copy of a more expensive one. This practice can be regarded as a form of arbitrage. Similar forms of arbitrage have existed in the past for other products including hamburgers.
There has been considerable debate about the ethics of this practice. Some argue that it is unfair to the retailer or to the other customers, while others argue that it is a reasonable response to a complicated pricing scheme.
A ghetto latte may also refer to the mixture of American drip or machine coffee (not espresso) with milk (not steamed). In this case, the drink contains the same basic components of a cafe latte, but the preparation is different. This practice also came about due to the significance of caffeinated beverages in the American inner-city in the 1980s.
[edit] External links
- Definition and citations for ghetto latte, dating the term to July 2005 Double-Tongued Dictionary, September 21st 2006
- Is it fair for a customer to order a ghetto latte? Starbucks Gossip, September 14th 2006
- Hacking Starbucks Chicago Law School Faculty Blog, which discusses the ghetto latte in relationship to DRM
- Further analysis on the SOAPbox blog, October 9th 2006.
- A latte people stick it to Starbucks Maclean's, October 30th 2006
