So I Ran Into A Paper Straw In Vegas

Nevin Barich

LOS ANGELES , February 14, 2019 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) – It was in Las Vegas where paper straws and I finally met face-to-face.

The time was this past Sunday morning. I was at the food court of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino visiting my good friends from “Breakfast & Burgers.” My meeting with paper straws was not planned. I had ordered a fountain drink with my breakfast sandwich and reached for what I thought was my go-to plastic straw. But as I opened the wrapping and removed the straw, I was immediately confused. The straw wouldn’t bend and the texture felt…off. Finally, I just shrugged my shoulders, put the straw in my drink and took a sip.

And that’s when I realized: Paper straws and I had finally crossed paths.

In hindsight, it was best that this was a surprise meeting. Trying paper straws was something I had dreaded. Something to know about me: I hate change. My wife likes to say that I’m the only person in the world who likes ruts. And honestly, she’s right. So the idea of my beloved plastic straw fading away was frankly terrifying. Impact on the environment be damned. Unlike Mother Nature, plastic straws had served me well and I had no desire to see them go.

But this is the world we live in, and that world currently favors paper straws. And so I put in my mouth a combination of the paper straw and Diet Pepsi. The verdict: Honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I feared. The texture was a bit different and it felt a little strange having a straw that wouldn’t bend. But beyond that, it was pretty much like all of my other straw experiences.

And so, life begins anew. Paper straws are in. Plastic straws are being pushed aside. I’ll always remember my time with plastic straws in a loving light. But it was on a Sunday morning in Vegas that I finally moved on.

Nevin Barich is the Food and Beverage Analyst for Industry Intelligence, which can help YOU better address your own industry challenges. We invite you to come take a look at our service. Call us today at 310-553-0008 and we’ll schedule you for a 15-minute demo.

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