# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/121 "2012-01-09T21:48:35Z")
> [@Dingbang](#): > > Can I introduce a flipside complaint from the customer’s side? > If you have some item that is advertised on the menu in a particular way, don’t ask me how to make it. I once went to a sub place, a chain that I’d never been to, perused the menu and decided to order their flagship sub sandwich – The John Doe Regular or whatever it was called. I ordered it and the surly cashier asked me what I wanted on it, so I said “the usual,” meaning the way you have the freaking sandwich right up there on the backlit menu board and with the list of 17 different items that automatically come on the regular. > The cashier gave me an extremely annoyed look like I was crazy and he had no idea what I wanted because I was a total stranger expecting him to know my regular order. I said something like “you know, the normal way” and he responded with the same exasperation. I finally said “lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mayo” and left it at that. If you’re talking about Subway, there really is no default combination of veggies and condiments. That’s part of the store’s philosophy–each sandwich is, if not unique, very particular to the person ordering it. If I went into my local Subway and asked them to make a sandwich just like the one on the sign, the kid would probably have to examine the picture in detail in an attempt to replicate that combination. If the sign you’re speaking of does list the exact ingredients for the sandwich (no more, no less), then yeah, your boy was clueless. ---
**Author:** ![Dingbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/122 "2012-01-09T22:24:55Z")
Not Subway. I understand there’s no default there. This was some other chain that advertised specific combinations and the standard build of ingredients. I could have made a big deal about pointing out the sign and reading off each item listed, but it was easier to just get it done and go. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/123 "2012-01-10T05:12:56Z")
> [@Dingbang](#): > > Can I introduce a flipside complaint from the customer’s side? > If you have some item that is advertised on the menu in a particular way, don’t ask me how to make it.. LOL - I was sitting at the bar at Chili’s tonight and someone a few seats away from me ordered the happy hour sliders deal…The bartender said “You ok with the bacon on those?” HA! Has anyone EVER said “no” to bacon? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/124 "2012-01-10T05:20:43Z")
Do not ask me what my favorite sandwich or drink is. Do not ask me what the best sandwich or drink is. I will either tell you the simplest thing for me to make or something really expensive depending on how irritating you are. Do not order off the menu. Do not order by picture. Do not order by asking for [noun] thing. You’re not cute, you’re not funny, you’re not making my day. I don’t work on commission so I don’t care about your experience. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/125 "2012-01-10T05:21:40Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > If you’re talking about Subway, there really is no default combination of veggies and condiments. That’s part of the store’s philosophy–each sandwich is, if not unique, very particular to the person ordering it. Which is why I never EVER eat at Subway. I don’t want to stand there and pick and choose stuff. Or Chipotle. I perused a menu at a Subway in a food court and was so baffled and intimidated I ended up going to the Burger King instead. “Gimme a #3.” Done. I did eat at a Chipotle once and it was traumatizing. Don’t make me, like, THINK and stuff! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/126 "2012-01-10T06:20:19Z")
Actually, I’m pretty sure for a long time subways had a “Works” option that’s like lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumbers and stuff that’s standard. But really, it’s not difficult. You’re in a sandwich shop. You need bread, filling, and sauces. It’s all in a line and everything’s completely visible. This really isn’t that hard. That being said, subway is not the tastiest sandwich shop around. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/127 "2012-01-10T14:37:09Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > …so I don’t care about your experience. But, shouldn’t you? Isn’t that what a lot of people are complaining about–how there’s no customer service anymore, no one cares, they just want to do the minimum required for their job, get their paychecks and go home? I frequent a Taco Bell near me where the staff seems to genuinely enjoy what they do and their interaction with customers. It’s a welcome break in the middle of a day. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/128 "2012-01-10T14:55:26Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I get really annoyed with people who stand in the vicinity of the counter, sometimes facing in the opposite direction, and it’s kind of ambiguous if they are in line or with someone who is clearly in line, reading the menu before deciding what to order or just spacing out. If you are in line stand in a way that makes it clear and if you’re just hanging around STAND BACK! > > Also, I heartily endorse hating on people who stand in line for 5 minutes, get to the counter and THEN start reading the menu and deciding what they want. Bonus hate if they start reading the menu out loud. I take a while to decide what I want, especially if it’s an unfamiliar place and it’s a big menu. So I stand way, _way_ back until I’m ready to place my order. Far back. So far back I could not be possibly confused with somebody standing in line. And yet the people at the counter are always calling at me: “Are you ready to order? May I take your order?” I’m _fifteen feet away_. What do you think I’m going to do, use a megaphone? ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/129 "2012-01-10T15:24:21Z")
> [@Lare](#): > > But, shouldn’t you? Isn’t that what a lot of people are complaining about–how there’s no customer service anymore, no one cares, they just want to do the minimum required for their job, get their paychecks and go home? > > I frequent a Taco Bell near me where the staff seems to genuinely enjoy what they do and their interaction with customers. It’s a welcome break in the middle of a day. My cousin used to manage a McDonalds and she thought pretty much the same as Inner Stickler. In fast food, it’s not about the dining experience, it’s about selling as many burgers as you can to meet your quotas. Especially during busy hours, you don’t need someone standing there doing the “it’s all so tempting what you do you recommend” routine holding up the line and aggravating your other customers. Of course the cashier should be pleasant and polite rather than look like they’re there at gunpoint, but it’s not like being the waitron at a sit-down restaurant. Something that irritates me are the “regulars” who either show up early in the morning, buy the smallest coffee, and sit around drinking their free refills all day, or at lunch time buy the cheapest sandwich and get a free cup of water which they nurse all afternoon. They always seem to sit one to a table or booth and yell across to each other, cutting down on the number of available tables and making it impossible to hear yourself think. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/130 "2012-01-10T15:38:38Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > LOL - I was sitting at the bar at Chili’s tonight and someone a few seats away from me ordered the happy hour sliders deal…The bartender said “You ok with the bacon on those?” HA! Has anyone EVER said “no” to bacon? Well, they may not have been wearing a kippah or carrying around a prayer rug, but yes, some folks do object to bacon. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/131 "2012-01-10T16:33:06Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > I take a while to decide what I want, especially if it’s an unfamiliar place and it’s a big menu. So I stand way, _way_ back until I’m ready to place my order. Far back. So far back I could not be possibly confused with somebody standing in line. And yet the people at the counter are always calling at me: “Are you ready to order? May I take your order?” I’m _fifteen feet away_. What do you think I’m going to do, use a megaphone? Exactly. If I wanted to talk to you I would come up to the counter. That I’m all the way back here means I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/132 "2012-01-10T16:43:18Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Actually, I’m pretty sure for a long time subways had a “Works” option that’s like lettuce, tomato, onions, cucumbers and stuff that’s standard. But they have a ‘New Works’ and an ‘Old Works’ for those that remember it. I’ve found one Subway employee around here that does remember the difference. In Subways around here, they have the sign with the ingredients attached to the sneeze guard and I just point to it and tell them ‘everything except the spinach, jalapenos and banana peppers’ and that seems to accomplish what I want. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/133 "2012-01-10T17:55:39Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > Oh holy crap. I had a similar thing happen in a grocery checkout. The woman in front of me commented on the cashier’s eyeshadow. The cashier just happened to have the eyeshadow on her person which launched into a long, inexcusable discussion about the merits of said eyeshadow. > > I wish I could say I was restrained enough to clear my throat, but I think I said something like “READY TO PAY FOR MY GROCERIES NOW!” but most likely “ARE YOU FUCKING SHITTING ME???!?!?!” I went to a supermarket that did away with its self-service cash register. It was crowded but I managed to find a line that had only one guy in it and all he was buying was a bottle of water. _ **Sweet!** _ Except: He also had been tasked with asking the cashier out on behalf of his friend. So he had to describe the friend and check repeatedly that she knew which guy he was talking about. Then he had to issue the invitation (to go bowling, for anyone who cares. I did not care, but if I had to hear it, you have to hear it). Then they had to discuss where he wanted to take her bowling. There was quite a bit of back and forth before she finally said no. I should also mention that they both appeared to be in their late 20s or early 30s. This wasn’t passing a note in gym class. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/134 "2012-01-10T18:04:57Z")
I was once in a grocery checkout line and the cashier was more interested in flierting with the bagboy (both twenty-somethings) than watching what she was doing. I handed her a ten dollar bill, she rang up 100 and gave me back the change as per the cash register. I put it in my wallet and went on my merry way. Teach her to watch what she is doing. ---
**Author:** ![Dingbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/135 "2012-01-10T21:03:46Z")
> [@voguevixen](#): > > Which is why I never EVER eat at Subway. I don’t want to stand there and pick and choose stuff. Or Chipotle. I perused a menu at a Subway in a food court and was so baffled and intimidated I ended up going to the Burger King instead. “Gimme a #3.” Done. I did eat at a Chipotle once and it was traumatizing. Don’t make me, like, THINK and stuff! 😉 We have Moe’s around here, which is similar to Chipotle except the owners think they’re way hip and clever. All the items have silly names, many of them taken from Seinfeld. There’s “Costanza” (a buritto with this and that and this in it), a Joey Bag o’ Donuts (some other combination), and so on. Entirely too cute. The menu board doesn’t make it real easy to understand how to order. I was there once ordering my regular, a “Homewrecker,” and there was an older woman behind me growing increasingly distressed as she studied the menu. The cooks kept asking for her order until she was near tears. She finally yelled “I just want a burrito!” in the most anxious, pitiful voice. It was all too much for her. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/136 "2012-01-10T21:06:37Z")
> [@Lare](#): > > But, shouldn’t you? Probably. I’ve always gotten stellar marks on employee evaluations, though, so apparently it doesn’t show through. And 10 bucks says the Taco Bell staff doesn’t give 2 shits about you either. I sleep well at night, though because I have more ethics than Annie X-mas, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/137 "2012-01-10T21:30:24Z")
> [@Dingbang](#): > > We have Moe’s around here, which is similar to Chipotle except the owners think they’re way hip and clever. All the items have silly names, many of them taken from Seinfeld. There’s “Costanza” (a buritto with this and that and this in it), a Joey Bag o’ Donuts (some other combination), and so on. Entirely too cute. The menu board doesn’t make it real easy to understand how to order. > > I was there once ordering my regular, a “Homewrecker,” and there was an older woman behind me growing increasingly distressed as she studied the menu. The cooks kept asking for her order until she was near tears. She finally yelled “I just want a burrito!” in the most anxious, pitiful voice. It was all too much for her. I feel the same way when I go to Cracker Barrel with my wife. I just want pancakes, eggs, and sausage - I don’t give a flying fuck _what_ it’s called (Mama’s Breakfast? Old Timer’s Breakfast? Smokehouse Breakfast?), I just want pancakes, 2 eggs, and sausage. And so that’s what I order: Pancakes, 2 eggs, sausage. The waitress/waiter invariably reply “So you want a XXXX, then?” “Yup, if that’s what y’all call pancakes, eggs, sausage.” ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/138 "2012-01-10T21:32:51Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I was once in a grocery checkout line and the cashier was more interested in flierting with the bagboy (both twenty-somethings) than watching what she was doing. I handed her a ten dollar bill, she rang up 100 and gave me back the change as per the cash register. > > I put it in my wallet and went on my merry way. Teach her to watch what she is doing. You stole from somebody because the cashier was flirting? Really? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/139 "2012-01-10T21:50:44Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I was once in a grocery checkout line and the cashier was more interested in flierting with the bagboy (both twenty-somethings) than watching what she was doing. I handed her a ten dollar bill, she rang up 100 and gave me back the change as per the cash register. > > I put it in my wallet and went on my merry way. Teach her to watch what she is doing. Not cool. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249/140 "2012-01-10T22:00:48Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I was once in a grocery checkout line and the cashier was more interested in flierting with the bagboy (both twenty-somethings) than watching what she was doing. I handed her a ten dollar bill, she rang up 100 and gave me back the change as per the cash register. > > I put it in my wallet and went on my merry way. Teach her to watch what she is doing. And people are stupid enough to wonder why groceries are expensive with shit like this and shoplifting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annoying-things-people-do-at-fast-food-restaurants/183249.md?page=8)