# What the hell just happened in this facebook conversation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039 "2016-01-13T15:44:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/1 "2016-01-13T15:44:22Z")
I posted the following: > [@](#): > > I asked the barista making my flat white, “What’s you guys’ definition of a flat white?” > > He replied, “Two shots of coffee and it ends up being an eight ounce drink.” > > While I stood there pondering the inadequacy of this definition, he added, “We argue with each other about what kind of milk to use.” The responses I got consisted in a serious discussion of what a flat white is supposed to be. When I replied by saying something like “Okay but I just thought the guy’s response was unintentionally funny, that’s why I posted it,” it became apparent that those engaged in the discussion had had no idea the original post was supposed to be funny. Is it not, obviously, funny? Have I performed a misfired impression of Hyoo-Munn Hyoo-Morr some how? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/2 "2016-01-13T15:46:41Z")
I don’t really see the humor, except for the “we argue about what kind of milk to use” line. It’s slightly witty. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/3 "2016-01-13T15:46:47Z")
Ahah this just in: My friend who is a stand-up comedian chimed in with “I laughed.” _Vindicated_. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/4 "2016-01-13T15:47:59Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I don’t really see the humor, except for the “we argue about what kind of milk to use” line. It’s slightly witty. How is it not funny that when I ask the guy who’s making my drink what goes in the drink, his first answer displays no useful knowledge of said drink and his follow-up shows the whole establishment has no such useful knowledge either? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/5 "2016-01-13T15:50:18Z")
Like, you ask a barista how to make the drink he’s making, and all he mentions is how much coffee goes in. It’s like if I ask “What’s in your nachos” and the waiter answers “Well like there’s some chips and the whole thing’s pretty big.” C’mon, this is funny. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/6 "2016-01-13T15:50:40Z")
It struck me as funny because my understanding is that it’s how the milk is steamed and poured that makes it a flat white vs a latte vs a cappuccino which was not touched on at all by the barista. I’m intrigued that starbucks offers them now. I know they’re quite popular in the UK and Australia but I wonder how well Starbucks does at bringing them across the pond and training their teenage punks to make them correctly. I like the ones I’ve had but I’m curious how representative of a true flat white they are. I’ve never seen the drink listed on a menu board anywhere else and I’m not familiar enough with the drink to request it special. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/7 "2016-01-13T15:52:32Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > It struck me as funny because my understanding is that it’s how the milk is steamed and poured that makes it a flat white vs a latte vs a cappuccino which was not touched on at all by the barista. Exactly! Of course there’s some coffee in it, and I don’t care how many ounces it is. > [@](#): > > I’m intrigued that starbucks offers them now. They’re actually pretty good at Starbucks! It’s in fact the first Starbucks coffee I’ve enjoyed without sweetener etc. The way they do it, the milk almost kind of sweetens the thing all by itself. And the texture is really nice. If they do it right. They don’t always. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/8 "2016-01-13T16:21:33Z")
I’d never before heard of a “flat white,” and just found an article from last March referring to it as “Starbucks’ new drink.” It took me three readings of your OP to realize that “we argue with each other” meant among the other baristas, not between the barista and customer (right)? Furthermore, I disagree that the amount of coffee in a prepared coffee drink is irrelevant information. All due respect to your comic friend, I’m rating this one a dismal 9 Mencias out of 10 on the humorometer. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/9 "2016-01-13T16:23:48Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’d never before heard of a “flat white,” and just found an article from last March referring to it as “Starbucks’ new drink.” It took me three readings of your OP to realize that “we argue with each other” meant among the other baristas, not between the barista and customer (right)? Furthermore, I disagree that the amount of coffee in a prepared coffee drink is irrelevant information. You’re right, it’s not wholly irrelevant if you know how much of the whole it comprises (and in fairness what the barista said does give enough to derive that information–also btw I wasn’t at Starbucks, it was a local place). But it’s not an entire answer. Definitely inadequate as a “definition.” ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/10 "2016-01-13T16:26:58Z")
> **[Flat white](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_white)** > > A flat white is a coffee drink consisting of espresso with microfoam (steamed milk with small, fine bubbles and a glossy or velvety consistency). It is comparable to a latte, but smaller in volume and with less microfoam, therefore having a higher proportion of coffee to milk, and milk that is more velvety in consistency – allowing the espresso to dominate the flavour, while being supported by the milk. > A flat white is generally served in a ceramic cup with saucer. Milk is frothed and foamy a... ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/11 "2016-01-13T16:42:00Z")
Add me to those who don’t see the humor. Assuming all flat whites are the same (which they should be if we have a working definition), except for the amount of coffee, I think you got a perfectly fine response to your question. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/12 "2016-01-13T16:53:07Z")
I think this is one of those instances of having to explain the joke = not funny. I get it since you explained it but I’m not really laughing. Only smiling. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/13 "2016-01-13T16:53:10Z")
Ok, but that’s very much not the defining aspect of a flat white so it’s not an answer at all. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/14 "2016-01-13T16:57:25Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Add me to those who don’t see the humor. Assuming all flat whites are the same (which they should be if we have a working definition), But the question I asked presupposes a lack of a working definition. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/15 "2016-01-13T17:02:12Z")
Again, it’s analogous to the following conversation: Me: What do you guys put on your nachos? Server: Well, there are two scoops of chips in it. Me: [ponders inadequacy of server’s reply] Server: [beat] Also we throw a bunch of stuff on top of them. If you had that conversation in real life with an actual server, you’d find it to be a silly response, correct? This was like that. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/16 "2016-01-13T17:07:39Z")
It’s not overtly humorous. It’s only funny if you are pretty far into the coffee aficionado zone. As a general remark it’s about as funny as font jokes to people who are not fontographers. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/17 "2016-01-13T17:11:25Z")
I get why it’s funny, but I’d only rate it mildly funny. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/18 "2016-01-13T17:12:38Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > I get why it’s funny, but I’d only rate it mildly funny. Me too. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/19 "2016-01-13T17:13:44Z")
> [@astro](#): > > It’s not overtly humorous. It’s only funny if you are pretty far into the coffee aficionado zone. As a general remark it’s about as funny as font jokes to people who are not fontographers. I have to admit, I don’t think of myself as “pretty far into the coffee aficionado zone.” I don’t take my knowledge here to be anything less basic than what you’d need to know to understand the difference between Starbucks (unflavored) coffee drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039/20 "2016-01-13T17:19:40Z")
Typing it out doesn’t really capture the atmosphere. I guess you’re talking about Starbucks, which is complacently hip and considers itself a standard for specialty coffees. For a “barista” (really a fancy name for coffee jerk) to admit their operation is flawed does disrupt that concept. But without atmosphere and context, your FB friends just saw “Flat White” and assumed that was the point of your post. Happens all the time. Attention-deficit internet readers instinctively look for key words in the jumble of unnecessary language and superficially respond to that. Blame the society that was raised on Twitter. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-just-happened-in-this-facebook-conversation/743039.md?page=2)