[xdennis]

This is one of the few issues where I feel I'm the only sane person on the planet: you can just drink from the cup.

We survived the first 600 million years of multicellular life without straws, and we can last a few more.

People are at each other's throats over nothing. We could've been a type 2 civilization by now if we spent as much time researching energy extraction as we do talking about straws. </hyperbole>

[Gigachad]

I always chuck the paper straw out at restaurants. I find they often have a weird effect of rapidly decarbonating the drink. Agreed that straws are just not useful for 99% of drinks. Only required for thick drinks.

[johnnyanmac]

far from the first time people argued to death over what is ultimately a slight convenience.

But for the sake of devil's advocate: putting your lips directly against a piece of plastic or glass is one of the easiest ways to expose oneself to a myriad of germs and bacteria. a wrapped straws solves many problems about cups in public outings that you cant fully control. and it leaves non-disposable cups just a bit cleaner.

It's also a big factor for the elderly or disabled to prevent spills or worse.