I’ve been working as an employee in a local fast-food chain for over 3 years now. Working in fast-food is far from my dream job, but it gets the job done while I’m at school. While the money is a perk, dealing with working the drive-thru is far from perfect.
Here is my guide on how NOT to order in a drive-thru:
1. Don’t talk quietly.
The workers are usually in a loud area, so chances are they’ll probably have a hard time hearing you at a normal volume. Speak up, please!
2. Don’t order from the wrong side of the car.
The person closest to the drive-thru speaker (typically the driver, but possibly someone in the seat behind the driver) should be the only person ordering. Hearing people on the passenger side is nearly impossible, especially when people speak at a normal level. Leave the ordering to the driver’s side of the car. It makes it easier on everyone.
3. Don’t ask to the workers to describe a size.
I’m not quite sure why people think this will have a positive result. How is a worker supposed to describe a size to you without the two of you being able to see one another? When you ask me how big something is, chances are that I’ll stop what I’m doing and stand there dumbfounded. I also don’t get why people ask how many ounces something is, because it’s hard to visualize how many ounces something is and/or if you can eat all of it.
4. Don’t ask ridiculous questions.
A drive-thru is for people who want to have fast service. Asking bizarre questions holds up the line, which in-turn, makes the other customers angry. Angry customers leave bad reviews and are rude to the employees, and it’s the worst when it’s because of something they cannot control. If you have complicated questions or have never been to the restaurant before, go inside. I’m sure it’ll be less frustrating for the employees and for you if you have a face to face conversation with them, rather than trying to explain things over a speaker.
5. Don’t ask for your order to be “to go.”
You being in your car in the drive-thru merits that you’re taking your food to-go. I really love when I have people shout that their order is to-go, because it's obviously not "order in."
6. Don’t be rude to the employees.
If they can’t hear you over the speakers, it may be because of a poor speaker connection or because you’re talking quietly or too fast. Don’t be rude when they can’t hear you. I’ve had this happen multiple times when our speaker system started to short. People come up to the window and talk slowly and extend their words as if I’m deaf and/or cannot speak English. I can hear perfectly well, so please talk at a normal level. Trust me, I’ll understand.
7. Don’t get upset if you were misheard about your order.
Most of the time, we’ll repeat the order back. If you say yes and that it’s correct, we will make what you ordered. If you receive it and realize it’s wrong, it may not be our fault. We won’t get mad at you if you made a mistake or didn’t hear us properly through the speaker. Most employees would be glad to make sure your order is right, so please don’t get upset.
8. Don’t talk on the phone.
Talking on the phone while ordering, paying, and collecting your order is rude and disrespectful. I’ve had people who don’t even make eye contact while I’m attending to them. They hand over their card or money and collect their items without a word or a general glance in my direction. Being a decent human and interacting with a stranger takes only a few seconds.
9. Don’t smoke.
Please don’t smoke. Honestly it is disgusting and rude. I don’t want to inhale your smoke while I’m handing you your things. Your smoke smell lingers in the restaurant for a good 5-10 minutes after you leave, too. Don’t blow your smoke in the employees faces/ or in their direction.
10. Don't take your anger out on the employees.
Just because you're having a rough day does not mean you should ruin someone else's. I understand being moody, but there is no reason to be rude to an innocent employee. If you're in that bad of a mood, you should consider going home instead. Whatever the case, treat them the way you want to be treated.
This article was meant to be light-hearted and funny, but please, respect employees of restaurants, whether it’s a 5-star restaurant or fast food. Chances are, if you’re polite to them, they’ll be even nicer to you. Just be a considerate human being, no matter what the circumstances.
