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What's wrong with carrying your own stainless steel straw? I mean if you know you need one it makes sense to me to have your own. Not being snarky, just curiou
by nickserv 7y ago
What's wrong with carrying your own stainless steel straw? I mean if you know you need one it makes sense to me to have your own.
Not being snarky, just curious.
- ahjushi 7y agoIt's tough because sometimes these things can feel like a "tax", i.e. the general public does not need this item so they don't purchase it, but I now have to since there are no longer any alternatives. Seems like perhaps an inconsequential amount for a straw, but it's just another cost most people don't need to consider and shoulder (mobility tools like wheelchairs, maybe specific medicines, etc.). It all adds up.
- nickserv 7y agoIf cost is an issue, they should be provided by the health care system for those that need them. But from the other answers it looks like it's more of a problem that they're stainless per se (hard material, need to be washed and carried).
- Tiktaalik 7y agoI don't know, but I know from articles in the local paper that the existing alternatives weren't considered ideal. I'd venture that if your dexterity is poor enough that you require a straw to drink instead of being able to drink strawless, a lot of the other tasks associated with carrying around one's own metal straw (ie. taking it out of a bag, putting it in a drink, washing it after) may also be overly challenging.
- amyjess 7y ago* Many disabled people cannot wash their own straws, due to both cognitive load and lack of manual dexterity. * Stainless steel causes sensory issues for autistic people and can destroy your teeth if you accidentally bite into one. (edit: and lets also add that they conduct heat, so putting a metal straw in hot coffee and drinking out of it could seriously burn your lips)
- nickserv 7y agoMakes sense, thanks for the info.
- Robotbeat 7y agoIt'll stab you in the throat. A real concern for children, and undoubtedly also for some disabled folk: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/starbucks-to-recall-stainless-steel-beverage-straws-to-provide-new-warnings https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/starbucks-to-recall-stainl... Just use biodegradable plastic straws.
- ccozan 7y agoIKEA sells in Germany straws from paper. Kids love them. Very light.
- amyjess 7y ago...and they'll also get soggy and dissolve in your drinks.
- Robotbeat 7y agoI actually have a 3D printed PLA straw (nominally compostable) that I reuse (single layer so it can be cleaned/dried). Weird, not super feasible for most people, but I needed a straw and didn't have one.
- remir 7y agoI tried paper straws a couple of times at A&W and it wasn't that bad. Granted, it was a cold drink, which could perhaps be problematic with hot drinks, but beside a texture difference, I found the paper straw to be an acceptable replacement.