Introduction:From dispute to reconciliation—the classic scene sparked by entrepreneur Luo Yonghao and Starbucks over a misunderstanding about cup sizes has been a hot topic online for over a decade. Recently, during a livestream where he promoted Starbucks’ straw cup, Luo publicly stated for the first time that “we had already made up,” instantly igniting heated discussions among netizens. This article details the full story of the incident, analyzes the logic behind the cup size design, and takes you through the twists and turns behind this public “thaw” as well as the creative responses from netizens.

Luo Yonghao, the entrepreneur who once caused an online uproar over a cup of coffee, recently found himself back in the spotlight when he promoted Starbucks’ straw cup during a livestream. The incident dates back to 2011, when a video of him ordering at Starbucks went viral online: Luo pointed to what the staff called a “tall (medium)” and insisted, “I want this medium (actually small),” while the barista patiently explained that it was actually what Starbucks defines as a “grande (large).” The two stuck to their arguments, and Luo even ended up slapping himself in the face on the spot, creating what became a much-talked-about “iconic moment” at the time.

This video not only became a topic of conversation among netizens but also turned the naming logic of Starbucks’ cup sizes—“tall (medium), grande (large), venti (extra large)”—into a point of controversy. In reality, Starbucks uses Italian terms for its cup sizing, which do not intuitively translate to “small, medium, large.” While this design reflects brand identity, it often confuses customers, especially first-time visitors.

Over the years, the “Luo Yonghao ordering fail” video has been turned into countless memes and reaction images, widely circulated on social media platforms. Even as late as October last year, when Starbucks launched its 259 ml mini espresso series, some netizens still joked, “Quick, get Teacher Luo in here—finally there’s a small size!” This shows the lasting impact of the incident within internet culture.

However, just when everyone thought this would remain a forever “iconic fail moment,” Luo Yonghao unexpectedly brought up the past during a recent livestream while promoting Starbucks’ straw cup. Later, he posted on Weibo, writing in a lighthearted tone: “Well, me and Starbucks have… no, actually we made up ages ago!” This remark not only stirred collective memories among many netizens but also quickly sparked lively discussion.

Netizens flooded the comment section with surprise and curiosity. Some asked, “Bro Luo, how would you order at Starbucks now?” or “Will you still bring your own cup when you drink coffee?” Others even suggested he revisit a Starbucks store to personally experience the current ordering process. Many also believed the “reconciliation” might be motivated by business cooperation, joking that Luo might still not understand the difference between a grande and a tall—but chose peace over conflict.

Regardless of the motive, this public statement surprised and pleased many netizens. A meme that had been teased for over a decade now had a brand-new ending thanks to the involved party’s simple word—“reconciliation.” Many expressed that although they might not be able to joke about the meme in the future, seeing both sides “break the ice” still felt like a good thing.

Additionally, many netizens extended the discussion, hoping Luo Yonghao would issue similar reconciliation statements for other brands or individuals involved in past “show-related feuds.” This incident not only revisited the origins of Starbucks’ cup size naming but also showed how internet culture influences the interaction between brands and public figures.

For coffee enthusiasts, understanding the design logic behind Starbucks’ cup sizes can help you choose the right capacity more accurately when ordering. Generally, a tall (medium) is about 354 ml, a grande (large) is 473 ml, and a venti (extra large) is 591 ml, suiting different needs and drinking habits. The next time you walk into Starbucks, you might just smile knowingly, remembering this classic “cup size debate.”

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.