Inevitably, most of us get into a routine - getting coffee and a donut at the same place every day, for example, or always ordering the same thing at the McDonald’s. Sometimes, eventually, the cashier will anticipate your order, knowing exactly what it will be. Do you like it?
Personally, I can’t stand it, and neither can my wife. It just makes me want to go somewhere else for my stuff, or vary my order on purpose. It doesn’t help that there’s only one good liquor store within a couple of blocks, and I assume the cashier thinks I’m a drunk. But even something like lunch, I just don’t like it.
Also, I’m a cashier, and am careful not to assume that Tom Marlboro is getting his daily cigs. Of course, he is, but I wait for him to ask.
My wife and I are also not particularly outgoing people, which probably plays a role.
I love being recognized. It means not getting carded at my weekly pub trivia when I order the same pomegranate cider that I order every single week. The waiters and waitresses still confirm with my boyfriend and I that I want the cider and he the amber before they bring the drinks, as we’ve surprised them before, but it’s nice being “regulars” with a “usual”.
I used to eat at a Mexican place once a week, and always ordered the same thing to go. They would actually start putting it together as soon as I walked in, and by the time I got to the head of the line to order, they would hand me the food. Loved it!
It depends on the place, really. They know me by name at the Anthropologie store here in town which is nice, because a few of the gals also know what styles I like and will show me stuff that’s new.
I get annoyed if I go to a food or drink shop and they make my whatever before I have a chance to order it - I do actually like to mix things up once and a while and I would feel a bit obligated to take something if they had made it for me even if I wasn’t in the mood for it that day.
I work at a library so of course I have my regulars, but I always let people ask me for their computer cards/PlayStation 3 checkouts/card numbers/hold books etc. before I give it to them. I don’t want to preempt or accidentally interrupt anyone, and I know with my luck, the one time I try they will be wanting something different.
I don’t mind being a regular too much, but I would mind if it were food and they made it ahead of time, 'cause I change things up.
Of course. The local Chinese, Thai and Mexican places know us on sight, and know our tastes. I could probably walk into the Thai joint, wave my finger in a circle in the air without speaking a word, and get served the Chicken Satay appetizer, Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice Extra Extra Hot, iced tea and a Sapporo.
I miss my old pub. My name was on the wall three places. Never had to order. Just sit in my usual spot, and a pint of Sierra Nevada would magically appear.
I like being a regular in the sense that I enjoy it when I have a personal connection with the owner or employee. I like when they remember that I have kids and ask how they’re doing, or ask how school (theirs or mine) is. Double bonus points if they have a new good, gluten-free product for my daughter to try.
But I don’t have a “regular” order anywhere I go, so the problem in the OP doesn’t apply. I vary what I order or buy all the time. I think if it happened, though, I’d view it as considerate, not presumptuous.
It can be fun to be recognized and acknowledged, but sometimes it can also be embarrassing.
I once achieved the ultimate in being a regular – I went to my usual lunch spot, and quickly told the clerk that I didn’t want my usual. She said, “Oh, so you’ll be having [my occasional second choice].” You know you’re in a rut when they don’t just know your usual, they also know what you have when you don’t have your usual.
There’s a bar I’ve been going to for about 15 years. At one point in my past job, I had occasional 8pm or 9pm conference calls with China. One time, I walked into the bar on
the conference call. I walked right to the back room (where we always hang out - it’s quiet there) and went to an unused corner. The waitress brought over my beer, waved hello, and left me to finish the call.
I had a bagel shop similar to campp’s story. They would have my order ready before I actually got to the store, if they saw me park my car. Sadly, they are now out of business.
-D/a
I absolutely love it. I’m shy myself but when someone like a cashier or server lets me know they remember me it tickles me silly. I’m loyal to one particular store because I’ve gone there my whole life and many of the family who own it have been there that long. They know me and my family and never hesitate to ask about everyone. I love that.
I voted “meh” because it really depends on the place.
Going to the local sandwich shop for lunch during work, I don’t like it because sometimes I change my mind or feel like something different, and I feel a bit awkward.
But then I get a whole bunch of books from my local Games Workshop, and having a light friendship with the guys there helps, because I can walk in and before I even get to the book wall, I’ve already been told what’s new in, or what I’ve missed, because they know what I’ve got already.
The deli counter person at my supermarket once guessed (correctly) that I wanted macaroni salad. (I ALWAYS get macaroni salad and something to make sandwiches)
Another vote for I love it. I don’t do fast food that often, and yes, I am in a rut…but I do like it when the wait staff at my favorite place don’t bother to bring me a menu and just ask if I want my usual, or my second choice.
Once, a new hostess sat me at a rather dark booth. My waitress came right over (with my iced tea in hand) and told the hostess that I was alone, so I was going to be reading and moved me to a table by the window, under the light.
I always tip well, and when I’m running with the club, I make sure they all tip well too. Some places cringe when 6 or 8 bikers come in. The waitstaff at the places I bring my friends to always have happy faces when they see me leading them in. They know that we will be loud and that we will move tables together and need extra chairs for helmets and leathers, but they also know that I will not allow them to get out of hand and that I will demand more money from someone that I think didn’t tip well enough.
I also love it that when I go out, I usually see people I know and we do sloppy biker hugs.
I like it at my normal Tuesday lunch spot, or when I’m getting coffee at Tim Hortons. But back in high school, I was about 50 pounds heavier than I am now, in part because I very frequently went for breakfast at McDonald’s with my mum before school. The manager guy at the drive thru made chit chat with us, asked us how our day was going, even tossed in a happy meal toy a few times when the packaging ripped and he wasn’t “allowed” to give it out to a little kid.
It just made me feel like a fatty…which I suppose was quite apropos…
I like it when the waiter sees me pull into the parking lot, and a menu and an iced tea is waiting at one of my favorite seats. I prefer a table with good lighting. In some places I order different plates, and even at my regular place, where I have a favorite item, sometimes I’ll change it up. And I love it when the comic book guy says that I should check out this or that comic. I don’t read many series, and I’m willing to give his recommendations a try because he knows the field.
What I hate is when I go into a place, and it’s obvious that the owner or manager has instructed every employee to personally thank people for their business. And the employees are obviously not doing it on their own. I’d be much happier with a simple “Hi” and “Bye” that wasn’t so forced.
I like it and I don’t. I’m not the most routined person, so I may go somewhere regularly for a few months, but then my schedule changes and I don’t go there any more. I did that at a diner called the Melrose for a while, every Wednesday around 2am I would stop there on the way home for dinner/breakfast. Always the same waitress, and came in handy when I forgot my debit card one night and she spotted me for it. I paid her back the following week, but then only had the same schedule for another month and haven’t been back since. It’s nice, but then I feel bad if I stop going, it’s lost income for whoever I was a regular for, and I miss the place. I also feel bad for my pocketbook, because if I’m going somewhere often enough to be remembered, I’m spending way too much money there!
SeaDragon’s post made me think of another reason I like being a regular. (**SeaDragon **is a vet tech…mental connection happened) I trap cats for fun, no profit involved. When I walk into the Vet’s office with a covered trap or carrier or box, they know that there is an animal involved. If I just put the container on the floor where they like them and stand in line, they will look at me, ask if I want the usual, I’ll say yes and walk out.
If I rush in, looking paniced. blood leaking from the trap, they will take it right away and ask if its my personal pet, or if I need the usual.
When I bring them pizza or pie, they will ask what is in the box before opening it, because I’ve bought them birds in the past.
