Rant: Fast food and drive thrus

[CR400]

Its bad enough people complain about how bad the food is for us. Which in a lot of cases that is true. But what annoys me the most is the number of people who are to lazy to get out of their cars and come inside. What? As if the walk would kill them or something!! Most people even athelets can always use a little walking.

Some people will try to say well it's faster, not when it is backed up 8 cars and only one person waiting on everyone. Mind you only one or two people are in line inside the store. I mean come on get off your lazy butt and go inside, maybe you'll be treated better because the drive thru person is not being over stressed. And don't complain all the time about how slow it is some people actually try to do the 90secs or less and their the ones called slow. If people think they can do it better by all means come in and try.

Sorry just annoyed

[LauraPaura]

Everything you said is so true! Do you work in one of these places or where did this come from?

[Brina]

I agree.

Now the starbucks drive-thru, on the other hand, is a dream come true.

[sydney_b]

the smell. I'm riding along, then all the sudden, blech, the stench of old grease and yuck. It's nearly as bad as auto exhaust, or the perfume wafting out of a car this morning. Seriously, how much does one have to put on that it floats out the car and gags a cyclist? :mad:

Oh well, I'm just thankful the weather is gorgeous (already 49 F with a high of 68 F) and my bike is running smoothly. Woopee. The commute in was pleasant and the trip home is bound to be better. It's so nice to leave the goggles, multiple layers, chem heat packets, etc. @ home.

:p

[Jo-n-NY]

Now Dunkin Donuts coffee is more my choice. I have to admit however, that I don't go through drive throughs for the reasons mentioned, the line is shorter inside and it doesn't bother me to get out of my car and walk a few feet. However, I would have appreciated drive throughs more if they had them around me when my kids were little. It was such a hassle to get them out of the car seats and carry them in for something quick and easy to eat that once in a while.

Just my thought on drive throughs ~ JoAnn

[bikerchick68]

hmmm... for the most part I agree wholeheartedly.. but I gotta admit... when I broke my foot and was trying to learn to use my crutches etc, the drive thru was WAY easier than trying to handle crutches, the to go bag, my purse and the car keys... within the first 2 weeks of breaking it I fell 2 more times because the stupid hospital never showed me how to use the crutches. Going up steps on crutches is harder than it would seem....:mad: :D

[CR400]

Yeah, I work for a fast food place right now. And sometimes I get really mad at all the people that go through that can just as easily get off their big rears and come in. Sometimes you don't think you just run around on auto getting things done. I sometimes feel bad for people because by the time i get to them I'm nasty and run down. They don't desrve to be treated like that.

[CR400]

Bikerchick, I hear ya, I broke my leg about two years ago now and it was horrible trying to get around. The worst part was that it was all snowy and icy around here at that time. I was actually ranting about people who can walk not the injured, disabled, or toting around a lot of kids anyway.

[bikerchick68]

mmmm... yeah. It's really tough being in the service industry and remaining cordial considering the way many consumers act and treat the employees. I'm in the restaurant biz myself, so believe me, I feel for you!

[Brandi]

Oh I hate doing fast food for that reason too! I travel for a living so I have to eat at a lot of those places. My fav's are windy's cause of the salads and potatoes. And then subway. But what we do is wait till after lunch to eat lunch then all the lazy people are gone and we can have the whole place to ourselves.

[susiej]

Drive-through everything made no sense to me until I started running errands with the baby. Ugh! An infant in a carrier/car seat is amazingly heavy and awkward and prone to waking and fussing. Then I became a fan even of drive-through ATMs. But I still turned my engine off!

Living in the sidewalk-free 'burbs, walking to errands with a stroller isn't an option. :(

--S

[Deanna]

I agree, if you're going to eat that stuff, at least exercise to do it. This reminds me of an incident that happened to me some years back. My husband and I tried to bicycle up to the window at a Wendy's (because it was late and the dining room was closed and only the window was open) and they refused to serve us because we weren't in a car! Is that the dumbest policy you've ever heard. It's not like the line is moving so fast it would be a hazard.

[sydney_b]

My husband and I tried to bicycle up to the window at a Wendy's (because it was late and the dining room was closed and only the window was open) and they refused to serve us because we weren't in a car! Is that the dumbest policy you've ever heard.

Certainly ranks in the top 10, if not the top 5. Sheesh.

/s

[bcipam]

I believe in drive thru etiquette - here it is:

If you are in a hurry and are ordering for yourself - use the drive thru...
If you have one child in the car and strapped to a baby seat - use the drive thru...
If you are picking up orders for the entire soccer team, go inside. Or at least, know your order before pulling up to the order box if you can't find another parent to watch the kids...
If you are a single and don't have a clue what you want and have to ask alot of questions - please go inside!
If the entire office has asked you to pick up orders, go inside, please!

Also - Drink Station Etiquette: Get in get out. Do not stand around and talk to your friends. Do not sip and fill, sip and fill, sip and fill. Do not let your children play with the machine - get it for them! Fill the cup and then move to the side to add the cover and straw, get out of the way for gosh sakes!!!!

One of my major peeves is the person who think they are the only one in the world and no one is behind them and in a rush. Sorry, I won't be polite to you! :mad:

[Trekhawk]

Aaahhh USA home of the drive thru. I had never seen a drive thru ATM or postal box until I came here. I must admit to using them sometimes though when I have all the kids in the car and its raining and I need money it is very handy.

[SadieKate]

Also - Drink Station Etiquette: Get in get out. Do not stand around and talk to your friends. Do not sip and fill, sip and fill, sip and fill.
So, what are your rules for the person who has to doctor, stir, taste, re-doctor, re-stir, sip again ad nauseum at the coffee house during commute hour? Of course, this is also the person who leaves 1/2 a tsp of cream in the pot and stuff spilled all over the counter.

[MomOnBike]

I use the drive-throughs at the bank all the time. So much easier than parking/locking bike, removing helmet/gloves, etc. And I love the look on the teller's face. They've gotten used to me, now, durn it. :mad:

As for fast food drive-throughs, I haven't figured out how to eat a hamburger on my bike, so I just go in. We used to drive through occasionally, but then we'd just be eating in the car, and that's just not very classy. I don't like to do it.

[Lise]

Give big space to the festive dog that make sport in the roadway. Avoid entanglement with your wheel spoke. (Sign in Japan)

OK. I vote this the best signature line. Other votes? :cool: L.

[doc]

Give big space to the festive dog that make sport in the roadway. Avoid entanglement with your wheel spoke. (Sign in Japan)

OK. I vote this the best signature line. Other votes? :cool: L.

I second your vote. I just wondered if anyone knew what it actually meant?

[Brandi]

Give big space to the festive dog that make sport in the roadway. Avoid entanglement with your wheel spoke. (Sign in Japan)

OK. I vote this the best signature line. Other votes? :cool: L. Confuses say "Happy dog in road sould be avoided don't hit for sport or it will meet your tire and get tangled"! What do ya think? Good interpretation?

[CR400]

Bcipam, I totally love and agree with your rules for both places. It would also be nice if the really huge orders could give a few min of advanced warning. I'm really glad to see that most of you agree and aren't being lazy. Not to shocked, I guess because it's difficult to be lazy and climb a hill, ride 50 miles, or anything else we do on our bikes.

[MomOnBike]

Heavens, who knows what it means! But it does sound like good advice. :)

[bcipam]

So, what are your rules for the person who has to doctor, stir, taste, re-doctor, re-stir, sip again ad nauseum at the coffee house during commute hour? Of course, this is also the person who leaves 1/2 a tsp of cream in the pot and stuff spilled all over the counter.

With someone like that, I always have the urge to yell at... er... "educate" them about the necessary etiquette in living in a world with other people. I am always amazed at how many people go through their daily routines totally oblivious to the occupation of the same space by other people... while on a ranting note... sorry - but I have to get this off my chest, cell phone users, really, I don't want to hear your conervsation with your boyfriend, husband, mother, friend, child whatever in the elevator (I work in a high rise). Cell phones can take messages. Really! Mine does all the time! Better yet turn it off for a few minutes. Give it and us a break.

Getting back to fast food, I do like the fact the drink station is now outside the order window and I can get a fill up to go but geez when it's busy or there is aline, just to get some ice tea, I go crazy. How hard is it to out ice in a glass and get some drink. Apparent very for some people. We need to teach this (apparently) in school along with other social skills. Ever get the person that gets ice, empties some out, fills up some more, empties it out... what? why?????:mad:

[lynnepin]

Gosh, I am surprised at how passionate you are about people who use the drive through at fast food restaurants. Why assume everyone doing so is lazy? As other posters have mentioned, it certainly is a lot easier to go through a drive through when you have infants or small children in the car, when the weather is bad, or when you may not be as mobile as you would like to be. I am 5 foot 2 inches, weigh 115 pounds ride my bike or run 3-4 times a week and work out with weights 2 times a week. I use the drive through and I would not consider myself lazy. Also, when I am hitting the fast food places, I am usually getting a grilled chicken sandwich or other healthy alternative.

I understand everyone has their pet peeve - I just had lunch with a coworker who was ranting about bikers riding down a busy main street during rush hour...and acting like they we breaking the law at the same time! :(

[tatormc]

Thank you lynnepin! I feel the same way but just couldn't figure out how to put it into words. I guess I didn't realize that going through the drive thru was so trivial.

[Susan126]

I agree . . . even when I do stop at a fast food place I always go in. It takes me forever to decide and so I stay out of the line until I finally figure out what I want, then I get in line, order to go, and leave. But the Starbuck's drive thru is a blessing for me right now. I had foot surgery in December and I'm cast bound (3 months off my bikes!!!!). I don't think I would make it to my car without spilling most of my mocha on the pavement! Can you picture a lady on crutches with a mocha cup gripped between her teeth? So right now the drive thru at Starbucks is a blessing for me as I am a coffee addict! I swear it helps my cycling performance! LOL Just ask my hubby! When we go out for a ride I make him stop for my mocha. I ride great after my mocha. The days I do not get my mocha, I'm a slug puppy! Whether it's the coffee or a mental thing . . . I swear by it! And of course I need it before work! But once the cast is off (March 7th!) I will start going inside! I love chatting with the barristas at my local Starbucks. They all know me and have my drink ready when they see my car pull in! Pretty bad, huh? :D

Sue

[KSH]

I have to say that Whataburger is the SLOWEST drive thru ever!

But... on the upside... I was able to wolf down a big burrito in their drive thru... before I got my large onion rings. :)