You might think from reading some of my last few entries that I hate the public. That�s not precisely true� I�ve been working in food service for the past couple years now, and I have dealt with some of the rudest people ever� but I have also come to believe that most people are not rude or inconsiderate on purpose. I�ve actually had a lot of my faith in humanity restored, because I�ve learned that most people in this world are just fine� and when they seem rude or inconsiderate, most times it�s totally unintentional. I�ve become a lot kinder to people working in customer service because I have spent enough time on the other side of the counter now to understand how difficult it can be at times. In a fast-food environment, the drive-thru is the area where the staff comes most under fire by the public and is under the most pressure. Keeping in mind that most people are just unaware of how things work and not trying to be rude or give the people inside the window a hard time, I would like to post a few hints and tips, dos & don�ts to help you get better, faster service. Sure, it is our job to do things your way and just take it� but keep in mind that we are people too, and if you are considerate of us we will be more likely to do that little bit extra that is not required and it will benefit you as well.

Here it comes� Vego�s Ten Rules of Drive-Thru Etiquette

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1) Please keep in mind that you are not our only customer. There are people ahead of you that we must serve, and people behind you who are waiting. If we are serving somebody ahead of you, it may take a few seconds to take your order. If you were in line inside at the counter, you would not shout at the waitstaff to serve you while they are taking care of the customer ahead of you, would you? Most people would consider that very rude, yet it happens in the drive-thru all the time.

2)Please know what you want before driving up. One of the biggest reasons for hold-ups in the drive-thru is that often, people drive up with no idea of what they want, and sit there trying to make up their minds for several minutes while other people are lining up behind them. Remember that there are others behind you waiting to be served and that they have come to the drive-thru for the same fast service that you expect. Please be considerate of them.

3) When you reach the window, please have your money ready. The whole time you are fumbling in your pocket for change, the people in line behind you are waiting. Adjusting your seatbelt, eating half your order at the window, changing radio stations� you can pull into the parking lot to do all of these things and that will allow the next customer to be served.

4) Never, ever honk your horn in the drive-thru. It really, really hurts, and it�s very hard to be polite to somebody who does this. Imagine having somebody call you on the telephone and honk their horn directly in your ear before you say hello. Would you easily be able to politely greet that person? Often, staff will turn their headsets up very loudly so that they can hear your order clearly over the noise in the store. We have motion sensors that tell us when you drive up. It is totally unnecessary to honk your horn to tell us you are there� the equipment we have is set up to do that, and you are actually causing us physical pain when you honk your horn.

5) If you have an extremely large or unusual order, please either bring it to the front counter inside or call ahead of time to allow us time to prepare it. Drive-Thru is not intended for a four-course meal. It�s meant so that you can pick up a quick bite to eat and/or drink on your way home or to work. We do things to a set formula in order to meet our target times, and while we can make a large order in the drive-thru and we can deviate from the formula, it isn�t really fair to the people behind you who are in a hurry to give us a very large or complicated order. We may ask you to pull into the parking lot so we can bring your order out to you and continue serving the folks behind you. Don�t get angry at us for doing this, we are trying to accommodate you without inconveniencing any of our other customers.

6) Don�t be angry if we ask you to repeat your order. When we have a trainee, they may not be able to ring in all the details of your order as fast as you can say them. Our headsets are not perfect, and many things such as weather conditions, a low battery or the CB belonging to the cabbie behind you can interfere with our reception. If we ask you to repeat your order, it is because we want to make sure you get what you want the way you want it.

7) Please do not order several additional items at the window. If you�ve forgotten one or two things, that isn�t a big deal, but when you decide that you need two more meal deals at the window, it is not fair to the people behind you. If you have forgotten a lot on your order, please drive around again.

8) Don�t be upset if we tell you we can�t accept garbage through the window. It�s unsanitary. Think about it� do you really want us to take somebody else�s garbage and then make your food? We have no idea where that garbage has been.

9) Please don�t tell us how to do our jobs. Telling us to do the basic things that we already do (like telling us to stir your coffee or make sure you get a fresh pot) is kind of offensive. We don�t go to your workplace and tell you how to do your job. If you�ve ever had a day at work where 50 people told you how to do the simplest tasks, you know how we feel. Would you tell an electrician how to change a light bulb? Give us a little credit for knowing how to do our jobs.

10) Please be polite. Say please and thank you. I know you don�t have to thank us for doing our jobs, but most people working in food service are making only minimum wage. We are constantly pressured to go faster and do more for very little money, and we take a lot of abuse from people who do not understand that sometimes the job is not easy. But when you drive up and smile at us, and treat us like human beings� that helps a lot and a simple thank you can make all the difference. It can make us feel appreciated and that what we are doing is worth it after all.