Bikinis? - - LoriMorales's Blog - Tehachapi News

Aug 14, 2007 at 09:08 AM : LOL Lori! I stated a...

LOL Lori! I stated a few anti-bikini comments on the article yesterday. I erased them. I guess I found myself taking it too seriously, and decided quickly that this was a battle I didn't want to choose to fight. Let's face it when it comes to men and breasts we won't win. Not that we can blame them they are programed that way so people can and do make money off that impulse. Honestly I've never been to Java Mama's and my husband doesn't drink coffee so this doesn't really effect me at all.

Aug 14, 2007 at 09:08 AM : Countrygirl - we...

Countrygirl - we should fight the battle for recognizing proud, smart women everywhere we find an opportunity. And, just for the record, I think its great when lovers appreciate each other's bodies. I don't have anything against boobs - mine or yours. But why oh why, would you want to spend any time gawking at someone else's lover? And, why oh why, would you want to display your goods to someone other than your own personnal admirer? Goodness, how much sexual attention does one individual need? And, why oh why, would you want that kind of attention from a stranger? Yukky.

Gee - I got more questions then answers.

Aug 14, 2007 at 10:08 AM : I get what you are...

I get what you are saying Lori, but unless you cover I don't think you can justify the direction you are taking. Plus, I'm sorry but guys will and do look or gawk as you put it, girls do to I'm sure. That's just reality and it will NEVER change. I have no problem with the looking anyway... it's harmless. Men will look regardless of what you are wearing... chances are if you're wearing less they just look longer! lol

I do have to say though that I'm glad they panic button was mentioned in the article because they've just peaked the interest of every perv in town. ......... Don't be so sensitive lol..... I'm talking about the ones with problems!!!

Aug 14, 2007 at 10:08 AM : I was driving behind a...

I was driving behind a dude the other day that about broke his neck staring at the "bikini baristas" sign at Java Mama's then he actually turned around and went back over there. It cracked me up. And Lori, I don't think it has anything to do with brains. Exactly the opposite actually if they can get away with it morally. It's the almighty dollar speaking. Sex sells every time.

Aug 14, 2007 at 10:08 AM : Gosh Lori, I...

Gosh Lori, I don't think there's anything yukky about it. It's just a little eye candy, nothing more. It is possible to enjoy looking at a pretty girl in a bikini and not become sexually aroused over it.

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : I agree that there is...

I agree that there is nothing yukky about a girl in a bikini. BUT yukky is a guy in a speedo,. If you don't like it don't drink the coffee.come on, Get off your high horse.

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : Hey i remember when...

Hey i remember when the Branch Office Bar put a pole in there and had pole dancing contests... that started a frenzy...I love Tehachapi, so stiff. They had a pregnant bikini contest down here it was all in fun. Geez....go to the beach and there are bikinis everywhere. Its a freekin bikini, whats the big deal?

Countygirl~what if your husband did drink coffee? Would that be a problem in your marriage if he went to Java Mama's and bought coffee from a bikini clad barista? If so, why?

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : Now that's how to...

Now that's how to serve up a hot 'cup' of Joe! Joline, Jolinda, Josephine, Jobeth...Jo-Mama!
This is a great idea! In fact, I think our politicians should have to conduct business in bikinis and speedos. How dishonest can you be when it's "all hanging out?"

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : Exactly - thank you...

Exactly - thank you all for agreeing with me. Bikinis at the beach - perfect beach wear. And - my point was not from the guy's point of view. We all know most of you'll look at anything, anytime. But will you stand in line more than once to see Jane's boobs? My point is from a woman's point of view - who wants some yukky creep gawking at you?

Sex sells - but this is the bottom rung on the ladder. Once you come down that low, there's no place else to go. Java Mama will be gone before next spring. Who's up for the bet?

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : Re: gawking. ...

Re: gawking. The problem for all women is you usually can't tell the creep from the nice guy appreciating his "eye candy," unless of course he has his hands in his pants.

OK - I just yukky'ed myself over the top. I'm still up for the bet. Curly? Bigdog? Greg?

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : Girls in...

Girls in bikinis? Who cares. They need a job.

Aug 14, 2007 at 11:08 AM : 'LIVE AND LET...

'LIVE AND LET LIVE'

Aug 14, 2007 at 12:08 PM : If I were a...

If I were a bettin' man, I'd take that wager Lori. But if you are right, I really doubt it will be because of the bikinis.
Doing business in Tehachapi is tough.
Think about this: A drive thru coffe place probbly has an average sale somewhere between $5 and $10 max. If you're buying for the whole office, you're probably not going to drive thru, you're going to fax your order to Starbucks or brew a pot and buy donuts from Albertsons. Considering you're paying minimum wage for the two bikini babes working their cabooses, even if you don't hold a lease on your location, you have to have somewhere in the vicinity of 5-10 customers an hour to cover your overhead and make enough $ to buy yourself a Frapuccino at the end of the day. I'm no economist or financial analyst, Nyuk, Nyuk, but I don't think anybody can aford to stay in business at $5-$10 a sale these days.

Aug 14, 2007 at 12:08 PM : Well Lori, I AM a...

Well Lori, I AM a bettin' man, but as Curly said, if they do go out of business by spring, it probably won't be because of the bikini issue. Especially since business seems to be booming because of it so far. Anyway, what would your conditions be and what would be the wager, maybe I'll take ya up!

If anyone is going to Java Mama's to creepily gawk, then that is a problem. But those folks should just use the internet, there's way more graphic porn easily accessible on the internet than girls in bikini's. Wait a minute, I mean, I've heard there's more porn on the internet!

Aug 14, 2007 at 12:08 PM : Jewels- I remember the...

Jewels- I remember the amateur stripper nights at the Branch Office too!

Now to answer your question, Would I mind if my husband got coffee from there? Well now that would depend. I'm not really the jealous type, BUT if he was only going there because of the bikini's not because he really liked their tea or their cinnamon rolls I'd be irritated because I think that that kind of behavior is disrespectful when you're married. I know I have nothing to worry about though....:) and that would still apply even if he drank coffee!

I just had to point out that I was talking about him going there on a regular basis of his own accord.. If he went once out of curiosity or something I could care less, if he was with a friend who wanted to go there.....I could care less... get my drift.

Aug 14, 2007 at 12:08 PM : Bigdog, short and...

Bigdog, short and sweet. My kind of guy!! To the Point.

Aug 14, 2007 at 01:08 PM : What's the bet ?

What's the bet ?

Aug 14, 2007 at 01:08 PM : The bet is.......the...

The bet is.......the place won't last through the spring. Duh!!!!! It's a train in a parking lot w/starbucks across the street.

I doubt it will last through the winter. No more bikinis. hehehehehe. : )

Aug 14, 2007 at 01:08 PM : They also have an ad...

They also have an ad in the Newspaper for this company and one of the requirements is to have a bikini. How sad!! In order to get a job at a coffee place you have to wear a bikini, maybe they should change their name to Hooters coffee place.... I will personally refuse to go there becuase I really do not care to see women degrade themselves for a minimum wage job.

Aug 14, 2007 at 02:08 PM : Let's create a...

Let's create a hypothetical situation and reverse the roles. WHAT IF the servers were male and were dressed in the usual "Chippendales" attire? I'm sure (most of) the guys would say, "ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww that's yukky" and I wonder what would be the consensus of the ladies?

P.S. Is there any truth to the rumor Starbucks is thinking about changing it's name to Fourbucks? Ha! Ha!

Aug 14, 2007 at 03:08 PM : Hypothetically, if I...

Hypothetically, if I were a "real man," I'd take that job! But I'd be just a bit concerned about serving hot Chock Full 'Nuts in nuttin' but my chones.

Aug 15, 2007 at 10:08 AM : Maybe not speedos, but...

Maybe not speedos, but a nice fitting pair of Levi's 501s with the top button conveniently unbuttoned encasing some hottie ready to serve me? I might be tempted to break my coffeepot at home just so I'd have to make more trips.

Aug 15, 2007 at 01:08 PM : COME TO SAN...

COME TO SAN DIEGO...THERE ARE BIKINI'S EVERYWHERE. GEEZ, IT'S SUMMERTIME WHY NOT LET THEM STAY COOL AND LOOK HOT WHILE THEY ARE BUSTING THEIR A** TO BRING HOME A PAYCHECK. WHY ARE THE WOMEN ON HERE SO UPSET ABOUT IT? IF I COULD GET AWAY WITH WEARING A BIKINI ANYWHERE AND LOOK GOOD IN IT I WOULD. THOSE DAYS ARE LONG GONE FOR ME. LET EM BE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL. WHY IS IT DEGRADING? SEX SELLS? WHO SAID THEY ARE SELLING SEX? COME ON LETS HAVE SOME OPENMINDEDNESS HERE.

Aug 15, 2007 at 07:08 PM : OK - the bet is out...

OK - the bet is out there. I'll meet you at Starbucks in May of 2008. I want a quad latte grande. I'll wear something red ..... appropriately lively.

The female body is a beautiful thing but (I feel strongly here) when it is used to sell something - I feel you are reducing yourself to the lowest common denominator. I think it is a great idea to seduce your lover in the best way you know how, but .... strangers? Nope. Not cool. Bad idea. Creepy.

And pleeeeeeaaaaasssssse .... no other minimum wage job available to our poor "working" girls?

And --- didn't the pole dancing joint go out of business? Yup, I'm right about that. Thank you for the reminder and the proof that I may very well be on my way to a free cup of coffee.

I will say the same about some of our current pop "stars" and advertising and movies and TV shows. We've all gotten so nonchalant about nudity and sex. I don't think its done one good thing for relationships or our society or our ability to raise children without seeing and hearing adult stuff that as parents, we may have decided to avoid until the kid is out of diapers.

All this from a mom/grama who watches all that stuff on TV and at the movies and introduced her daughter to the sexy side of movies way before we shared the violent stuff.

This is the really old fashioned side of me. Very conservative. Isn't that funny? I'm usually the liberal on this site. I've already marked my calendar for May ..... who will wear something red and buy me my coffee?

I loved all the action on the subject. Thanks one and all. Very interesting.

Aug 15, 2007 at 08:08 PM : OK, May '08 it...

OK, May '08 it is! And when they are still in business in May '08, we'll go over there and you can buy me a cinnamon bun or whatever, since I don't drink coffee (at least not yet!)

Aug 16, 2007 at 10:08 AM : does anybody care that...

does anybody care that these girls are 16, 17 years old?

I say go for it if they are of legal age, but otherwise using 16 year old girls to sell coffee in a sexual way is very similar to expoliting children. Do these underage girls really know what they are doing? They WILL be harrassed at school...we all know teenage boys. What about dirty men who are attracted to that young teenage look (if the girls are underage, then its a problem...if they are older, but look younger, good for them)? You have to be 18 to work at Hooters, due to teh sexual attire. Why not at the coffee shop?

Aug 16, 2007 at 11:08 AM : It's a bathing...

It's a bathing suit! What do you wear when its hot? Man if i could get away with wearing my pajamas to work i would...ITS A BATHING SUIT!!!

Aug 16, 2007 at 12:08 PM : Ok, wait a minute......

Ok, wait a minute... Are these girls only wearing bikini tops? or full bikinis? I was under the impression that they were wearing full bikini's and i still support it. Now if ALL they are doing is wearing bikini tops i will really be mad!!! You people should be ashamed of yourselves.......bikini tops? come on now, this in NOT the dark ages. Bikini tops is far from a "sex sells" tactic. I remember in the 70's when tube tops were popular. Or did Tehachapi ban those too. Geez really you people should get your heads out of the sand and get with the times.

Aug 16, 2007 at 12:08 PM : jewels, what you see...

jewels, what you see as "beautiful" some pervert district attorney will see as an invitation to practice his pedophilia on another young girl. Don't you care that these perverts are on the lookout for vulnerable girls?

Why not just push her in front of a speeding truck?

I just think all this is sick.

Aug 16, 2007 at 12:08 PM : THE GIRLS ARE...

THE GIRLS ARE UNDERAGE!!!!!!

You can where your pjs to work all you want, you are covered up and not selling products with your body, plus I am sure you are over 18. An underage girl using her breasts to sell coffee is wrong!! When was the last time you put on a bikini top. They are not what they were in the 70s. They are made of string and small bits of fabric. Bend over and hang out of a window, while leaning into someones car to hand them (man or woman) a cup of coffee or bun and see what happens. The issue is not that the girls are wearing bikini tops and shorts or skirts, the issue is that the girls in bikini tops are underage and using their breasts to increase business for an adult business owner.

How is this not wrong?

Aug 16, 2007 at 03:08 PM : How far do these girls...

How far do these girls have to lean in the car? I mean are they climbing in the window and shaking their chest in front of these people? I seriously doubt it.. What is she balancing the coffee on her chest? I dont get it. Perverts are perverts...whether a young girl has a bikini on or not. That sounds like you are saying "she asked for it". I hardly see it as immoral for a 17 year old girl to wear a bikini top. And the last time i put a bikini top on i probably WAS 17. That's what 17 year olds wear. So are you saying when a 17 year old girl goes to the beach in a bikini (top and bottom) she is asking to bring on some sexual advances by some pervert? If the girls dont want to wear the bikini to work...PUT IN APPLICATIONS ELSEWHERE. I dont think the owner hired these girls and then forced them into wearing some sexually explicit swimwear OR ELSE. Man i need a cup of coffee. And if these girls are underage, shouldnt you be reprimanding the parents and not the owners of the business? I mean ultimately the parents have the final say so where their kids work. If none of the parents agreed to the "sex sells" I guess Java Mama would have to try something else wouldnt they.

AND ARE YOU SAYING IT IS OK IF THEY ARE 18 OR 19 OR ARE YOU JUST AGAINST IT ALL TOGETHER?

YO MAMA~ the issue wasnt only that they are underage, it was bikini's PERIOD...read the post

Aug 16, 2007 at 06:08 PM : Jewels & MaMa...

Jewels & MaMa ..... The original post was against bikinis to sell coffee. It is not the wearing of bikinis, per se, that I take issue with. But, I will say that I'm pretty sure bikinis were intended as beach wear. Ya know, because water makes bulky clothing difficult to swim in. Personally, I don't want to see your breasts at K-Mart either. And I don't want to see some guys underwear and some fatty's back-end tattoo. But, that's beside the point.

The fact that they be under aged is just one more point toward showing this is exploitation.

Jewels, if (and when) you have a teen age daughter, you may find yourself being a little more protective of her image and how she is attracting attention. Who would want their daughter be to known far and wide because she displays large parts of her body at any request?

Aug 16, 2007 at 10:08 PM : Hi, I myself work at...

Hi, I myself work at Java Mama’s and am very appalled by some of the comments that have been made on this blog. I feel as if I need to defend myself. I’m not a regular blogger, nor do I wish to be. I would just like to say a few things and then I don’t really want to even come back to this site again. I’m not here to engage in any debate with anybody so I won’t be responding to anybody’s replies.

For anybody that is confused about this….I don’t wear an entire bikini…only the top. I wear long shorts that come down past my knees with the top.

First of all I would like to start out by saying that I approached the owner of Java Mama’s about a job. I was told that they were really only looking for girls over 18. I was very persistent and told the owner that if it was because of having to wear a bikini top that I, nor my parents had an issue with that. They were still hesitant, but after being really persistent and having my mom talk to the owner to give permission, I was finally hired.

I, MYSELF, get to decide what top I wear. So I can “cover up” as much as I decide (which isn’t hard to do). I have never felt threatened or even that guys are “gawking” at me. In fact, women represent ½ of our customers (and they don’t “gawk” either). I love my job and the work environment I work in.

I would like to respond to some of your personal comments:

Lori Morales:

“No brains, only boobs” It’s actually the opposite. I am a straight A student and plan to go on to college. I don’t have huge boobs. I wouldn’t even say they are somewhat big. Besides that, the owner is very intelligent AND has big boobs too…imagine that! She’s a college graduate, a CFO for a construction company, as well as owns and runs 2 coffee shops. I wouldn’t call that “no brains”.

You said if we could serve a good cup of coffee in less than 10 minutes you’ll show up….when can I expect you because I can serve you the best coffee in town in less than 5 minutes.

“No other minimum wage jobs for our poor working girls??” No, there’s not a lot of jobs in Tehachapi. When’s the last time you looked for one? It is extremely difficult to find a job in this town. Besides, I don’t work for minimum wage. I make extremely good tips plus my pay.

“she displays large parts of her body at any request” I am extremely offended by this comment. I don’t have “large” anywhere on my body. When you say display at any request. I don’t lift up my bathsuit when somebody requests it (not that anybody ever has). No part of my breast is visible at anytime, whether I am handing someone their coffee thru the window or not. We’re not “topless baristas”!

“They’ll be out of business by next year” from what I have seen from working there…..I defiantly would take you up on that bet!

Yomama:

“using their breasts to increase business for an adult business owner” Maybe you weren’t aware that the owner usually IS the one working. She’s down there a lot…..open to close….so she’s not just sitting at home counting her cash while all the rest of us are down there slaving away.

“bikini tops are now made of string and little bits of fabric” Not all bathing suit tops are just strings and little bits of material. Like I said, I choose what top I want to wear.

“they WILL be harassed at school”…everyone I know from school thinks I have the coolest job in town.

“you have to be 18 to work at Hooters, due to the sexual attire. Why not a coffee shop” That’s because coffee shops don’t serve alcohol, Hooters does. It’s a law that you must be 18 to serve beer. The last time I checked, you there’s no age requirement to wear a bikini top.

I think some people are missing a point here. Yes, the owners did hear about the place in Oregon that has done the same thing, but one of the main reasons they decided to do this is because they brought Old West Cinnamon Rolls (which I LOVE!!) here from Pismo Beach where more people walk around in bikinis than don’t. They said that their Bakersfield store is being decorated to look like the beach. They brought in beach sand, surf boards, lifeguard tower…..etc. They said that if this building wasn’t already built to be a train, they would have already turned this location into a beach-like environment as well.

Maybe in some people’s “day in age” bikini tops were scandalous, but seriously…you need to come into the 21^st century. Try going to a high school prom where girls wear negligees (literally)…something that looks like came straight from Victoria’s Secret. I see girls all the time at the mall, school, where ever dressed in much more skimpier outfits than I wear to work. I don’t and won’t feel ashamed to be working at Java Mama’s. I am not and don’t feel exploited. I wanted this job because it sounded like a fun place to work and the money is good enough that it enables me to save up for my college tuition. I think it’s a great place to work and plan on continuing to work there until I leave for college in a couple of years.

Lastly, many times I have been over swimming at a friends house and we’ll go get lunch or run to the store. We’ll throw on our shorts over our bathing suit bottoms and just wear shorts and the bathsuit top. I haven’t ever really thought twice about it. I feel very comfortable and don’t feel ashamed of my body. I have never once thought that’s creepy, or bad, or dirty. I really think it’s all in what you make it out to be. I think that some people are really making this out to much bigger than it really is.

Aug 17, 2007 at 08:08 AM : Roxy girl...I REST MY...

Roxy girl...I REST MY CASE

Aug 17, 2007 at 09:08 AM : Well said, roxygirl....

Well said, roxygirl. Sounds like a good dose of brains to me!

Aug 17, 2007 at 11:08 AM : No...

No NEGATIVE response to Roxy girl?

Aug 17, 2007 at 12:08 PM : Rock on roxygirl! In...

Rock on roxygirl!
In an age when it's considered ok for musicians to label women "ho's and b*tches," it's nice to hear a gal who can stand up for herself. It sounds like you've got a good plan for a getting a solid education while still managing to enjoy being young, yet looking ahead to the future. I always thought it was a good idea to 'flaunt it while you got it,' because nothing lasts forever! (Except for the Stooges, Nyuk, Nyuk!)

Aug 17, 2007 at 12:08 PM : Ok, so LORIMORALES,...

Ok, so LORIMORALES, EEK, YOMAMA, LYNX,

What are your responses to Miss Roxygirl? Sounds like she is a smart cookie...and free to wear a bikini without any worries, i find it refreshing to hear from a girl with brains AND boobs.

Aug 17, 2007 at 01:08 PM : I dont care that the...

I dont care that the coffee place wants the servers in bikinis. What bothers me is that the girls are underage. I dont feel that it is appropriate to have girls under the age of 18 using their bodies in that way. I dont care what you all say, the idea is to use the body (if it were underage boys, I would still be concerned) to increase traffic. People come by on the weekends so that they can look at the girls/boys and then they most likely purchase coffee and buns. I think that using the underage body to draw in customers is wrong. I understand that the girls are not shoving their breasts in anyone faces and that they are not strippers or anything, they are just young girls doing girl things. I only feel that young girls should not be used in order to bring in more customers. If she wants to use this tactic, then use girls who are 18, but LOOK young. i understand that girls hang out by the pool and then run to the store...completely different topic. Thats just tacky.

Roxy Girl-I do think that the girls will be harrassed at school. Just wait, its not the boys who are your friends, it will be the boys who are not your friends. I was in high school once and it wasnt that long ago and I know how boys act. I was also a teacher and can tell you that some of the teachers will make up their opinions about you too, they wont say it to your face, but they will behind your back.. (sorry, thats the way things go). I am glad to hear that you are going to go to college. You sound like a smart girl, use that, not just your body.

good enough answer jewels?

Aug 17, 2007 at 02:08 PM : YOMAMA~you were a...

YOMAMA~you were a teacher? And you are telling me you and your colleagues would make up opinions about students because of ...lets say, wearing a bikini top to work and not look at a straight A scholastic record as in Roxy girl's case? And dont say it wasnt you, i am sure if you werent in on the conversation...those gossiping teachers wouldnt have allowed you to hear them. WOW....I thought my children would be free to express themselves and be who they want to be in the eyes of a teacher...where did you teach school? My son just turned 15, has long hair (down to the middle of his back), wears black dickies (24-7) and black concert t-shirts EVERYDAY...He is also a talented musician who gets straight A's in school. He has not had any "problems" with teachers in class, and i figure he would if they were forming opinions about him because of the way he looks. Seems like teachers that form opinions like the ones you mentioned, who zero in on students they have "labeled" as bad kids for no other reason besides what they wear outside of school should NOT be teaching, now THAT alarms me... what kind of example are those teachers setting for their students? And a straight A student should be whispered about why?????? Oh yeah because she took a summer job at a coffee house and wore a bathing suit top in public....GIVE THAT GIRL A SCARLET LETTER

Aug 17, 2007 at 02:08 PM : 1. Everybody gossips...

1. Everybody gossips about everybody. The teachers would not sit and say, "so and so is a _____.", its more like, "did you know so and so works at ____ and wears ____?" Even if the kid does get striaght A's that is how it goes.
2. Roxy girl never once said she had a 4.0 or better. (even though I am sure she is doing well in school as she is very articulate)
3. relax. what you wear on a daily basis will not warrant comment from a teacher. now if that student is a good student and gets good grades and then something out of the ordinary like being a stripper comes out,(NOT THAT ROXY IS!!!!) that would bring about a comment or two from more then teachers (neighbors, classmates, family friends).

Why not compromise and make sure the girls are 18 and up? Then everyone would be happy. In fact, store like this could open up all over the place.

Aug 17, 2007 at 03:08 PM : read her comment...

read her comment "straight A student"

This is your quote:

I was in high school once and it wasnt that long ago and I know how boys act. I was also a teacher and can tell you that some of the teachers will make up their opinions about you too, they wont say it to your face, but they will behind your back..

You said they WOULD make up their opinions about her...behind her back no less!! So an opinion WOULD be "so and so is a _____". The fact would be "so and so works at __________ and wears__________".

anyway, I am over it...this is getting off the subject and i am not going to continue to argue with an unarmed person.

Aug 17, 2007 at 04:08 PM : I love it when people...

I love it when people ask for peoples responses and then get pissed when they actually respond!!

What YoMamma is trying to say I think is that there are pretty solid stereotypes about this kind of stuff.....like for instance many of the Hooter's girls or strippers are quite smart and working their way through college but people don't look at them as college students....get my drift.

Oh, by the way Jewels do you find my comments refreshing?? I have brains and boobs too! lol

Aug 18, 2007 at 03:08 PM : Sorry, I've been...

Sorry, I've been busy with something else. I will always try to respond if I know I have been asked to. I love the new additions here but nothing said has swayed my opinion. Sorry Roxy if you don't think you are selling coffee with your boobs - it certainly doesn't matter whether they are little, middle sized or big. Your employer has requested this little gimmick so people will come into her coffee shop, get a cup and a look at you in your bikini top. If your boss didn't think this was the case, the bikini dress attire would not have been put out there. You are selling coffee with the come on that we'll get a glance at your boobs. To imagine anything else is naive in the extreme.

That's the fact. Now, whether you think this is right or wrong, that's a call you have made - with your parents approval. There's no surprise to me that if you were raised by adults that think selling yourself in such a manner is "OK" that you think so too.

Brains in business and brains in school ..... many congrats but, now use a little common sense. You are obviously worth more then the image you are setting out there. And the people who look at you and think the very worse - will be the ones to encourage you to continue. Because, let's be honest - coffee can be gotten anywhere. They are coming to you because you are, for the most part, half undressed. And don't get off on the whole "it's only a bathing suit" trip. It's a bathing suit worn under the wrong situation. Would you wear it to church? To grama's for Sunday dinner? To your boyfriend's house to meet his parents? You are not half dressed at the beach - you are at work. It makes a huge difference ----- whether you realize it (or your parents) or not.

Now, please continue to disagree with me. It's your body, your future, your image. Not one individual will think of you as someone who might be getting good grades and has a bright future. Your next stop is Hooters ..... because this is just all OK with you and your parents. For all I know, you are fulfilling a family tradition.

The whole thing makes me sad that I may be actually talking to someone so naive and defending it. I am not the one who will be able to change your mind. But, I am a wise old bird and maybe someday you will look back and remember -----

Aug 18, 2007 at 06:08 PM : I remember the Branch...

I remember the Branch Office. The woman, not a girl, was a pole dancer. She was quite athletic. Some church people bundled their toddlers in parkas and mittens and picketed on the evenings the woman was scheduled to work. I met a couple of the church people as I walked through the picket line to enter the Branch Office. I would sip a diet soda for a little bit and then go home as I wanted to express my disagreement with the picketers. If I remember correctly, the owner won the lawsuit filed to shut him down and then said words to the effect of "kiss my derriere" and closed the bar.

I do not think it is wrong for a woman to use her mind or her body to earn a living. I thoroughly enjoyed the old Coca-Cola ads when the office workers (women) watched a construction worker (man) take a break with a Coke and sans shirt. Do you think that actor was degrading all men by his actions? There was a Chippendale's reference earlier. Are those dancers setting themselves up to be social pariahs? If your daughter brought home a new boyfriend and he worked as a Chippendale dancer, would you really think his image sullied? If we are to be a truly equal society then we cannot have "men's rules" and "women's rules".

Aug 19, 2007 at 02:08 PM : Well TK - if you get...

Well TK - if you get to read this - I think Chippendale dancers are cheesy, usually prostitutes and almost always gay. I feel sorry for adult men and women who have resorted to stripping, pole dancing or prostitution because it means they have nothing else with which to make a living. No other skills. That's so sad. Now, you say that's OK with you. Then, you should continue to frequent such businesses to show your favor.

We all get to think about this as we please. I've read all the responses received and not one has changed my mind. I continue to think that any young girl selling coffee half dressed is diminishing her value. At this point on this site, I'm not sure I can say anything different or more clearly than what I have already done. I've reread my comments and can't really think of a better way to make my case so I won't write more words on bikini clad coffee sellers.

I will however, comment further on the MamaJava employer. She must be a real piece of work because she is using these young girls to make money via their boobs and naivete. She's very likely desperate for the money. Good heavens, she could have advertised her great cinnamon buns! Instead, she's advertising bikini clad coffee makers.

I also have to completely object to your Branch Office owner review. Don't rewrite history. He absolutely did not leave Tehachapi because business was fantastic and he simply wanted the pleasure of saying "kiss my derriere." That's just silly. He left because business was poor and he wasn't making any money. If he was making it financially, that bar would still be there and continuing to look for ways to sell his products. People saw the pole dancer and for the most part, never returned.

I know I'm not going to change any minds here but I've tried to offer a few points that may be worth thinking about.

Aug 20, 2007 at 06:08 AM : I think thsPride...

I think thsPride should direct his complaints to Steve Walker, and I don't understand how he can call people anti god and cop since we are talking about underage girls wearing skimpy bikinis to work.

What if you were forced to wear a bikini at work?

Aug 20, 2007 at 08:08 AM : Countygirl...i did...

Countygirl...i did find your comment refreshing. :) I not for one second got mad when i got a response, i am just tired of arguing..."beating a dead horse" so to speak. I cant wait to come home and get a cup of Joe and a cinnamon bun!!!

Aug 20, 2007 at 09:08 AM : No one's forcing...

No one's forcing anyone to wear a bikini top, It's by choice. The only people I hear degrading thees girl's are the women on this site. You call them no brains or rock's for brains.You insult and put them down. If you don't want to see a girl in a bikini top serve you coffee don't go there. I don't.

Aug 20, 2007 at 09:08 AM : Bigdog - women and men...

Bigdog - women and men on this site are against using young girl's boobs to sell coffee. I don't know what we all look like, but few people on this earth are all these things: fat and ugly and flat chested and old. Geez - nice input. "Thees" girls are being exploited. (Note: spell check is a wonderful thing.)

The employer should be ashamed and the parents should be ashamed.

Send the little girl in your lap off to work in a bikini top when she is 16 years old. When you do, write again and tell us how you feel about her new job. Roxy's parents were "OK" with it. Maybe you will be too.