# Annoying Things People Do At Fast Food Restaurants **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 20, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249 "2003-06-20T19:01:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/81 "2012-01-07T19:30:41Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > If you’re going to be that precious about the sterile conditions your food is prepared in, you’re better off not eating at McDonald’s in the first place, trust me. I’d trust McDonald’s with serving non-bacteria contaminated food before I’d trust a Mom-and-Pop hole in the wall. McDonald’s has it down to a science - with Mom-and-Pop places, you’re hoping that _they’re_ conscientious, and they’ve had a health inspector come by once in a while. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/82 "2012-01-07T19:55:06Z")
[QUOTE=voguevixen] Then there were the conspiracy theorists. At one super high-volume multi-screen I worked at there was a separate room for popping the corn upstairs and it was one persons job to literally just pop corn all night, scooping it into bags which would be brought down to the concession stands and put in the bins. One guy insisted the corn wasn’t fresh because we obviously had it shipped in in bags like that.\* Yes. Because having popcorn shipped in by the truckload is so much more cost effective than popping it on site. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Ages ago, I worked at a movie theater that did have it trucked in. The “popcorn room” was upstairs, and it was filled with somewhat cylindrical plastic bags about the size of sixth-grade kids, all full of popcorn that was popped somewhere else and who knows how long ago. Theoretically, the stock was rotated, but usually, it was the bag closest to the door that would be picked up and taken downstairs. Since then, I never get popcorn at the movies unless I can see it being popped at the candy counter. ---
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/83 "2012-01-07T20:08:23Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > I hear it often: > > “I NEED a cheeseburger and chocolate shake.” (Looks around furtively because that’s my standard order and my standard way to order it. But in my defense, I always append “please” …) ---
**Author:** ![UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/46a35a/32.png) [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/84 "2012-01-07T20:12:32Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > If you’re going to be that precious about the sterile conditions your food is prepared in, you’re better off not eating at McDonald’s in the first place, trust me. Judging by an expose’ on some web site I read recently, when it comes to germs and pathogens, you’ve a lot more to worry about in the ball pit in the playground than the food. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/85 "2012-01-07T20:38:52Z")
> [@Pammipoo](#): > > And, as a side annoyance, we had a lady come through drive thru last night and order a triple combo, biggie sized, with “extra extra extra cheese!” We asked how many pieces of cheese she wanted…8. She also ordered a BLT salad, with extra dressing. And the kicker…the drink with the combo? Diet coke. Sorry hon, I don’t think that diet coke is going to counteract the 8,000 calories you just consumed with that meal… Some of us drink diet drinks because we like them more. Don’t assume anyone’s trying to “counteract” all the other calories. ---
**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/86 "2012-01-07T22:54:00Z")
It’s been covered more or less under the “figure out what you want before you get to the counter” theme, but given that this is a huge pet peeve for me across retail: your food/shopping is not going to be free. That thing with the flashing numbers and an employee behind it is called a cash register. Ergo, you will be required to exchange some cash or electronic equivalent thereof for the stuff you’ll be ordering/stuff that is in your basket. Ergo, do not get up to the counter, watch the clerk take your order/scan your items, and **only then** have the dawning realization that (as with every other retail transaction you’ve ever made) you will now be required to pay, and **only then** start fumbling for your wallet. Your wallet or cash or whatever other mode of payment you plan to use needs to be either out or immediately accessible when your order/checkout is taking place. Women are the worst for this with the elaborate production that is putting the purse on the counter, fumbling through for the wallet, searching through the wallet for the right credit card – sometimes adds a full minute to my standing in line (multiplied by however many people in front of you in the line do this). ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/87 "2012-01-07T23:09:07Z")
Just this once, my husband was legitimately able to say “I need a roast beef sandwich and curly fries” because his expectant wife, who has had no appetite for a week thanks to the rhino-sized rhinovirus, finally was able to think of something that sounded palatable. He’s been so worried about me losing weight and being anemic that I’m surprised he didn’t drive the brown car with the pretty blue lights to Arby’s! But, despite his willingness to get food for me, Tony drives me nuts at the drive-through. With multiple people in the vehicle, I try to have the whole order ready by the time I reach the speaker, whereas he’ll place his order, then start asking everyone else what they want. And when he’s finally at the end of the order, when asked whether he wants anything else, he just can’t resist adding “yeah, the winning lottery numbers for tonight” or something equally “cute.” Someday, he will be assaulted by a minimum wage slave… ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/88 "2012-01-07T23:27:24Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > Lastly: people who get in our business. “shouldn’t your people making the sandwiches be wearing gloves?” Response: No, under Arkansas health regulations, we are not required to. However, we do wash and sanitize our hands every 30 minutes. That is really gross. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/89 "2012-01-07T23:38:53Z")
Since this was resurrected, I’m going to move it to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/90 "2012-01-07T23:45:18Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > That is really gross. You want gross? I’ll tell ya gross. I went to my local Arby’s and ordered my usual (Chicken, Bacon and Swiss) with a buttload of Horsey sauce. Sat down, proceeded to chomp on my meal. I absentmindedly glanced to the wall next to me. Apparently at some point there was molding delineating the two types of wallpaper. That was no longer there. What WAS there was thousands and thousands and THOUSANDS of ANTS feasting on the glue! THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WALL! ::full body shudder:: ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/91 "2012-01-08T00:06:08Z")
Hmm…a mere 8 1/2 years later from my original OP and I bet that guy in line is still trying to figure out if he wants his burger with or without cheese… This has to be one of my oldest zombie threads ever resurected. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/92 "2012-01-08T00:11:07Z")
what would irritate me is old people who basically had no brain-mouth filters and would just prattle on explaining everything about their order as they went. “Well, we want a Big Mac and two fries, but can you cut the Big Mac in half? And if one half is bigger I’ll give it to him because I can eat less. And I want a Diet Coke and it has to be a Diet because I have sugar diabetes and I can’t drink regular Coke…” > [@](#): > > And, as a side annoyance, we had a lady come through drive thru last night and order a triple combo, biggie sized, with “extra extra extra cheese!” We asked how many pieces of cheese she wanted…8. She also ordered a BLT salad, with extra dressing. And the kicker…the drink with the combo? Diet coke. Sorry hon, I don’t think that diet coke is going to counteract the 8,000 calories you just consumed with that meal… I won’t speak on her behalf, but when I splurge and go for fast food I’ll get a diet soda. 400 fewer calories is 400 fewer calories. > [@voguevixen](#): > > I guess I’m just used to picking stuff off my food, but I never EVER make a special order. I don’t like tomato/lettuce on my sandwich but assume it’s easier/faster for the workers to make it the way they’re used to and for me to flick off what I don’t want on the receiving end. Obviously, if you’re allergic to mayo or something by all means hold the mayo, but the whole “This but not that, extra whatever, substitute etc…” God, go to a sit-down restaurant where they have time for that crap. (And even then, I’m apologetic about it: “I’m sorry, but would it be possible to get fruit instead of eggs?”) I don’t either. I don’t have any food allergies I’m aware of, so if- say- a burger comes with toppings I don’t want I just remove them. usually it’s stuff like tomatoes and pickles which I like just fine, but not on a burger. So I just pick them off and eat separately. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/93 "2012-01-08T00:24:18Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what would irritate me is old people who basically had no brain-mouth filters and would just prattle on explaining everything about their order as they went. > > “Well, we want a Big Mac and two fries, but can you cut the Big Mac in half? And if one half is bigger I’ll give it to him because I can eat less. And I want a Diet Coke and it has to be a Diet because I have sugar diabetes and I can’t drink regular Coke…” > > I won’t speak on her behalf, but when I splurge and go for fast food I’ll get a diet soda. 400 fewer calories is 400 fewer calories. > > I don’t either. I don’t have any food allergies I’m aware of, so if- say- a burger comes with toppings I don’t want I just remove them. usually it’s stuff like tomatoes and pickles which I like just fine, but not on a burger. So I just pick them off and eat separately. LOL. Apparently in THIS thread we are pals. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/94 "2012-01-08T00:26:21Z")
Oh, you’re busy on your cellphone, no we’ll wait, the ten people behind you have nothing to do today. You’re surprised at all the options, this must be your first time in McDonalds, there certainly was no need to construct your order in your head while you were in line. You have a vast amount of multiple orders, or course you do, everyone in the office needs to avoid exercise as much as you. Call up your coworkers right now though if theres a vital question you can’t answer, like ‘coke or pepsi?’. Pay for everything separately, get all the receipts sorted, sure. Oh you’re writing a check! That’s terrific, yes it’s the 5th, yes you’re in Wendy’s, yes you need your drivers license on the check. Make sure you ballance your account before you leave the counter though, wouldn’t want to lose documentation for that $5.68 you just spent wasting everyones time. You’re done ordering you say, they got it, you can tell because theres a empty tray with your receipt on it, don’t move though, no one else is hungry and they can wait until your food is cooked from scratch. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/95 "2012-01-08T00:37:16Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > LOL. Apparently in THIS thread we are pals. 😉 my opinion on your other devotion has no bearing on my opinion of you. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/96 "2012-01-08T00:44:57Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > my opinion on your other devotion has no bearing on my opinion of you. I…Wut? That’s actually really nice. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/97 "2012-01-08T01:18:58Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > Ages ago, I worked at a movie theater that did have it trucked in. The “popcorn room” was upstairs, and it was filled with somewhat cylindrical plastic bags about the size of sixth-grade kids, all full of popcorn that was popped somewhere else and who knows how long ago. What on Earth!! A fifty pound bag/box (I’ve lugged both up a rickety ladder to the second story storeroom.) costs the theater maybe TWO DOLLARS tops. The markup on movie theater popcorn is at the very least the greatest scam in the history of mankind. I am BAFFLED that that would be shared out! ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/98 "2012-01-08T03:54:14Z")
> [@FisherQueen](#): > > I’d like to take a moment to defend the Diet Coke. > > Like many fat people, I usually order a Diet Coke with my ridiculously fattening fast food order. > > No, I’m not ignorant. I know that what I’m eating is fattening, and that the Diet Coke is not going to counterbalance it or make it count as slimming. > > It’s just that, like many fat people, I’ve spent plenty of time dieting, and gotten used to the taste of Diet Coke. It’s kind of like the difference between regular milk and skim milk. Now that I’m used to it, regular Coke tastes kind of thick and syrupy. I drink the Diet out of habit and preference, not because I think it will make me lose weight when I’m eating at McDonalds. Ditto. Fat chick here, and if I eat fast food, it’s with a diet Coke. Or water. I don’t like regular Coke at all, nor any of the other regular pop on offer. I’ve had the occasional sip of my husband’s regular Coke once in a while to confirm, and yes, I still hate it. I don’t mind diet Coke, though, so that’s what I have. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/99 "2012-01-08T05:00:30Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > You can thank the movie _Wayne’s World_ for that. I’ve watched the movie close to a dozen times, but I’m not remembering this scene… ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/100 "2012-01-08T05:00:47Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > …Pay for everything separately, get all the receipts sorted, sure. Oh you’re writing a check! That’s terrific, yes it’s the 5th, yes you’re in Wendy’s, yes you need your drivers license on the check… Fast food places take _checks_? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249.md?page=6)