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Restaurant drive-thrus are super convenient, but that doesn’t mean you can act however you want when you’re in one! Luckily, it’s super easy to follow drive-thru etiquette. So long as you’re kind, attentive, and friendly, you should be totally fine. Still, if you want to know more about how you should behave in the drive-thru queue, we’ve got your back. Read on to learn everything you’ll need to know about being a good citizen in the drive-thru line.
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QuestionWhy not tip the people? They're not making $15 an hour. McDonald's is making a lot of money they're not sharing with their employees.Community AnswerFeel free to tip if you have the desire and they are willing to accept it; it's just not standard practice as it is with waiters in restaurants (who rely on tips almost entirely for their wages). You would have to use cash, as they have no protocol for charging people's credit/debit cards for tips. Keep in mind that low wages are far from exclusive to the fast food industry. People who work in stores, people who do manual labor, low-level office/administrative workers, etc., commonly make similar wages. It is a rampant nationwide problem, not specific to a certain company or profession.
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QuestionWhen I receive my order from the drive-thru is it appropriate to thank the attendant?Community AnswerIt is always a nice thing to do, but not necessary.
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Tips
- When paying and receiving food, always try to get the driver's side at least within an arm's reach of the window. The window people may not have accessibility to reach further across.Thanks
- Please don't make lame jokes when using large bills. "No need to check, I printed it off this morning" is not funny when it is heard eight times a day.Thanks
- Cashiers cannot split an order after it has been input, so if you have multiple bills say so before you begin.Thanks
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Warnings
- If the line is long or seems stalled, please do not honk your horn, shout at the people in front of you to hurry up, or race your car's engine. Restaurant managers have been known to call the police and report disruptive customers.Thanks
- Be dressed when you go through the line. Serving a naked customer is disturbing, and a breach of public propriety, and if the service person feels that you're exposing yourself to them, you've probably broken the law.Thanks
- The following items drastically slow down the drive-thru. Do not go through the drive-thru if:
- Your window does not work. This makes it awkward for the employee to take your money, give you your change and your food. It also slows down the drive-thru line waiting for you to open the door and awkwardly place your items in your car.
- You want to place more than two individual orders. Two is the maximum number of orders most places will allow. You again hold up the line trying to decide how to combine the multiple orders into two.
- You want to place a very large order. Any order over three value meals or six individual items significantly slows down the drive-thru.
- You don't know how much money is on your Debit/ATM/Credit Card. If your card is declined you have just wasted your time, the time of the customers in line behind you and the food they just made and bagged for you––no, they're not going to give it to you for free.
- Your car has mechanical issues. If your car likes to stall or smoke, please go inside. A stalled car holds up the drive-thru until there are enough people to help you move said car out of the way. You are inconveniencing everyone around you when this happens. A car that smokes a lot not only bothers the customers behind you in line but the exhaust fumes go right in the windows and float around a bit before they dissipate as stated above in number 10.
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Things You'll Need
- Pre-worked out order
- Adequate money/payment ready
- Footwear if you need to get out to go inside
About This Article
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