My hsband %26 I use the stainless steel tumblers for our drinks all the time around the house %26 on the road. We already had straws for all our tumblers. However, they were either hard, rigid plastic straws or stainless steel straws. I liked both type of straws, but had some concerns. My husband is in his 70's %26 has some health issues that cause him to fall occasionally despite a cane. A few years ago, I read about a woman who fell while carrying her drink that had a stainless steel straw in it. Freak accident, but the straw went in her eye %26 her brain, resulting in her death. I've been associated with the medical field %26 ER doctors have stories of treating people (especially young children) who have suffered puncture wounds in their mouth %26 throat from stainless steel straws. The rigid plastic straws would hopefully break without injuring someone, but there's no guarantee of that. I like the flexibility of these straws %26 the various pretty colors.