What would you do it you’re at the drive-through fast food restaurant and you realize that your part of your order is wrong once you’ve already pulled away from the window?
Here’s my experience from this morning.
I went to Bojangles to treat myself to a bisquit this morning. I order, then pull up to the window to pick up my items. As you can imagine, the Bo is a pretty busy place in the mornings. I exchange my money for my food, and as I’m ready to pull forward, I realize that the car that was ahead of me is now parked about 1.5 car lengths in front of me. To be clear, the car is blocking the narrow lane of the drive-through exit.
She opens the car door and walks back to the window. I think she said “Sorry” but mostly I remember her looking sour-faced. She leans around into the window and says “I ordered unsweet tea.” The Latina girl behind the counter takes it from her and disappears from view. I sit, startled into silence. (If I were an animal, I’d be one of those ones that faints or falls over when startled.) One minute passes. I could reach my hand out and touch her, she’s practically leaning on my sideview mirror. [Personal Space Alert!]
I see the manager guy ask the window lady “What is this?” and she replied “She ordered unsweet tea.” They disappear from view. Another 30 seconds pass and then I see someone walking toward the back with one of those big tea urns, obviously empty. I sigh, internally, and raise my eyebrows, externally. Another 45 seconds elapse. My bisquit gets colder.
I finally say “Um, most people go inside when there’s a problem with their order.” She says “What? I just need my tea” or something like that. I can see further into the building than she cay, and I say “I think they’re brewing a new pot.” She says “What!?” I repeated myself in a clear, calm voice. She keeps looking sideways into the building, peering around the window. The window lady is nowhere to be seen, and a replacement tea is not imminent.
I decided this was ridiculous, and I thought that the few cars behind me would be in agreement. I asked “Can you move your car?” to which she responded something that sounded like “mumble getting some feedback here mumble” and then something snide like “If it makes you happy!” She stomped back to her car and pulled one car length around the corner of the building, opening up the exit lane – freedom!
So, what would you have done? If you were her or me?
I think she was out of line. It’s called a Drive Thru for a reason. You Don’t walk up to the window. She totally should have pulled out of the lane and walked her happy A$$ inside.
Shame on Bojangles for not having unsweet tea prepared for the morning rush! That’s a management thing or lack thereof.
I think you acted properly. I don’t know that I would have done the same, but of course I drive a biga$$ truck with lots of lights up front 😉
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
I also think she was in the wrong. I think you did the right thing, however I would have *wanted* to say to her before she reached around my car that she needed to go inside. Though, I probably wouldn’t have acted that fast. Nor would I have kept a cool, calm voice. People are annoying. Go you!
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
Thanks for the validation. Typically, I obsess over things like this because I assume I was in the wrong, but in this case, I really felt OK with my actions. Yay for therapy!
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Easy: You did the right thing. 🙂
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
I think if that picture is from this morning, you were at work way too early.
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
It’s just some random photo. I’m still kicking myself for not taking a picture of HER! 🙂
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 6:27 pm