User Post: Drive-Thru Etiquette

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by Erin Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:37pm PDT

  I agree with most of the posts above concerning those who work at a fast food restaurant and the necessity for them to be polite to us as customers. I must disagree, though, with Mommy_Kat on one point. Having worked many customer service jobs (as a means of paying for college) the customer is NOT always right. Most customers are very rude and impatient and often times downright dumb. I have many stories from customers who were incredibly dumb and couldn't understand simple procedures (such as a clothing exchange) but would then berate me for being stupid a few days later.

  Those who work in customer service should be polite and courteous and as expeditious as possible, but there are many customers who are mean and dumb (many of whom have no idea they are acting like children in a crowded retail store/restaurant/hotel/etc).

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Alicia Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:50pm PDT

  This post is a terrific reminder that we should always be sweet and polite to those whose job it is to deal with the public. As a former waitress, you have my sympathy, Anubis (btw, is that a Stargate reference?) and I wish you peaceful days and graceful customers. Peace! :)

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Amberlina Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:56pm PDT

  I've worked many a customer service jobs and I have noticed that the rudeness go both ways. I have seen both rude customers and employees. I personally think that everyone should try to be more polite, respectful and patient. We are all human, and we all make mistakes from time to time.

  Amber

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by ? Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:17pm PDT

  Mommy_Kat, if you can't be nice to the person doing their job stay away. You have no idea what it is like to work in the fast food industry and what the people who work there put up with from rude customers who think that job is beneath them. They are doing a crappy dead-end job and don't need dumped on by the likes of you.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Taylor Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:33pm PDT

  I say it should be an equal effort on both sides of the fence to be respectful to each other and think about what the other person has to do.

  And I am in the service industry because I'm saving money for school. Good money comes from tips, so it's kind of rude to call all people in the service industry incompetent and lazy. I'm just preparing myself financially for when I start college.

  Needless to say, people who work in service should always be respectful because that's our job...but I'm not gonna lie, sometimes it's really hard to be pleasant with a D-Bag customer :).

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by meg Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:58pm PDT

  we just need to have a master posts of all these lists telling us how to behave.

  how about we get treated with respect so we treat you with respect.

  WOW! what a thought!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Jilly Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:10pm PDT

  Mommy_kat5, I'd like to say I am amazed, but I fail to be so. The customer is certainly *not* always right, and you're incredibly close-mind ignorant statement proves it.

  The person who is working in your so-called "grease joint" is also the one handling your food. For what reason do you have to act like a haughty piss-faced child? You're not better than anyone. A job is a job, and we all need the funds to make money. No need to poo-poo on other people. Hope you feel better about yourself tearing a part the individuals who make an industry what it is.

  Pretty sad that you harbour such ill will towards fast food restaurants, yet you are the one patronizing them. Niiice. Pot calling the kettle black a bit?

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by itslilolme Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:44am PDT

  I think it all comes down to responsibility. As a customer, I have done my best NOT to break any of the rules set forth by this poster. I do my best to be courteous and pleasant whether or not the person taking my order is cheerful. HOWEVER, having worked in service industries years ago, I felt it was my responsibility to be pleasant and courteous even when my customers were rude and hateful. I never did let a jerk walk all over me, but you get the idea. Unless we're talking about the sort of story shared on an earlier comment - the "Nobody's home" story (totally appropriate behaviour on part of the customer) - your own behavior should never be determined by those you encounter.

  Servers: You will encounter jerks for customers. This is as sure as the sun rising and setting. Don't sink to their level, don't screw up their orders on purpose, and dont be rude. If you don't like your job, do what it takes to find another one. The economy isn't so bad that you can't find a better job eventually, good luck to you.

  Customers: You will encounter jerks as servers. This is as sure as death and taxes. Don't sink to their level, have some common courtesy for others around you. If you experience rotten service, tell the manager or email the company. If it continues, find a better place. The economy isn't so bad that you can't find another fast food restaraunt eventually, good luck to you.

  Darned simple if you ask me.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:38pm PDT

  I think that generally what you had to say was correct, but it seems to me that sometimes we are so concerned with how we are treating these corporations, their efficiency schedules and managers' quotas that we forget that we need to be treated well, our failings need to be considered, and the value of our time has to be considered. I always try to be courteous to people in any situation, but I am truly not as concerned with the problems of the business person as I am with my own...after all I am the one that is paying to keep them in operation.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Amanda Fri Jul 3, 2009 9:17am PDT

  Why are so many people belittling the people who work in the fast food industry? Yes, everyone agrees that anyone can be a rude person. Of course anyone can be rude! We see it all the time. Why someone feels they can speak badly about a person working at a fast food place is beyond me. You are spending your money here. You are eating this food. You keep going back. Take a second to realize many of the people working at these places are doing so to make ends meet, not because it is their dream job.

  Report Abuse