# Is it stupid to use a drive-thru when the business is still open? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 14, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862 "2013-09-14T20:03:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mandala](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mandala/32/95_2.png) [@mandala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mandala)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/1 "2013-09-14T20:03:29Z")
My question specifically pertains to fast-food chains that are still open and accepting customers in the seated area. If I only wanted a carryout, would it be considered stupid if I chose to use the drive-thru window instead of ordering at the counter? To me, parking, shutting off and restarting my car is a hassle, even if parking is freely available. (I’m just incredibly lazy getting out of the car.) ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/2 "2013-09-14T20:08:56Z")
The drive through is there for your convenience, and using it saves the restaurant the trouble of cleaning up after you. I think they _prefer_ you to use the drive-through, at all hours. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/3 "2013-09-14T20:10:07Z")
It’s not stupid at all. That’s exactly what the drive-thru is for. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/4 "2013-09-14T20:18:08Z")
What a weird question. Why do you think they even have drive-thru windows open when the seating area is open if they don’t expect people to use it? ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/5 "2013-09-14T20:26:43Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I think they _prefer_ you to use the drive-through, at all hours. As long as you’re [in a car](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlACmGvig7E). ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/6 "2013-09-14T20:33:15Z")
It’s a well known fact\* that using the drive-thru during normal dining hours is considered incredibly rude by the American public. This is why the drive-thru is always empty during the mornings as people are on their way to work, during lunch when they only have 30 minutes to eat, during evenings when they are on their way home from work and want to get home as quickly as possible. In these situations, everyone realizes how convenient it would be to go through the drive-thru, but because of tradition and a sense of class and style the rest of the world lacks, nobody ever does. \*not a well known fact at all. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/7 "2013-09-15T00:04:29Z")
IMHO, there are only 2 reasons to go inside: You are not driving a car. ( You are on a bicicle, or you are walking, etc. ) Or, it is your intention to have a seat right there and enjoy your meal. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/8 "2013-09-15T00:09:24Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > IMHO, there are only 2 reasons to go inside: > You are not driving a car. ( You are on a bicicle, or you are walking, etc. ) > Or, it is your intention to have a seat right there and enjoy your meal. Or, there are several people with this drive-through-first mindset lined up in their cars, and no line inside. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/9 "2013-09-15T00:30:04Z")
That’s true. I lack the foresight to actually put this into practice. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/10 "2013-09-15T00:33:25Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > Or, there are several people with this drive-through-first mindset lined up in their cars, and no line inside. This is what I regularly see at one particular Starbucks: 5 to 10 cars waiting at the drive-thru, which moves VERY slowly. Meanwhile, there are empty spaces _right in front of the door_, and _no one waiting in line inside_. (NOT an exaggeration.) IMHO, that’s kind of stupid. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/11 "2013-09-15T01:13:30Z")
> [@Blackberry](#): > > What a weird question. Why do you think they even have drive-thru windows open when the seating area is open if they don’t expect people to use it? Ditto this. I would like the OP to explain the question. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/12 "2013-09-15T01:17:25Z")
“We prefer you never use our drive through during business hours,” said no business ever. ---
**Author:** ![austerity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@austerity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/austerity)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/13 "2013-09-15T01:22:39Z")
There are also people who won’t eat dine in at a fast food restaurant because they believe the people inside are poor and dirty. I had a few coworkers who felt that way and would only do drive thru. They were completely shocked that I would even suggest that we dine-in with the riff raff at mcdonalds. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/14 "2013-09-15T01:34:04Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > I think they _prefer_ you to use the drive-through, at all hours. Every place I worked that had a drive-through was like this. You’re welcome to come inside, that’s fine. Inside guests are great. But if you stay outside I almost certainly won’t have to clean up after you, and it’s unlikely I’ll be calling the cops on you. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/15 "2013-09-15T01:47:53Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Every place I worked that had a drive-through was like this. You’re welcome to come inside, that’s fine. Inside guests are great. > But if you stay outside I almost certainly won’t have to clean up after you, and it’s unlikely I’ll be calling the cops on you. Calling the cops for eating fast food? ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/16 "2013-09-15T01:58:06Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > IMHO, there are only 2 reasons to go inside: > You are not driving a car. ( You are on a bicicle, or you are walking, etc. ) > Or, it is your intention to have a seat right there and enjoy your meal. Or you gotta use the bathroom. And maybe want to stretch your legs, on a road trip. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/17 "2013-09-15T02:09:38Z")
When a certain number of cars are in line ahead of you, your wait time will be shortened by parking and ordering to-go at the counter. Assessing that number is an art form. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/18 "2013-09-15T02:39:19Z")
I make a sort of game of this. If I see a long line of cars at the drive thru I’ll take note of the car I would have been behind, then park and go in to order. When I come out I get distinct satisfaction when I see that car has yet to get their food 🙂 I will say it helps to know your local establishment. There’s a McD’s near where I used to live that made drive-thru a priority over the person standing directly in front of them. If I was getting anything more complicated than a coke or a regular unfancy coffee it was a crapshoot as to when I’d actually get my meal. Mostly, if there’s more than a couple of cars in line I’ll go inside. Unless there’s a bus in the lot… ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/19 "2013-09-15T02:57:07Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > IMHO, there are only 2 reasons to go inside: > You are not driving a car. ( You are on a bicicle, or you are walking, etc. ) > Or, it is your intention to have a seat right there and enjoy your meal. > [@Peremensoe](#): > > Or, there are several people with this drive-through-first mindset lined up in their cars, and no line inside. > [@Randolph](#): > > Or you gotta use the bathroom. And maybe want to stretch your legs, on a road trip. The four—four reasons to go inside are… (I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition!) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862/20 "2013-09-15T03:01:56Z")
Don’t most drive thrus limit the number of orders per car? Say you’re coworkers wanted you to pick up their sandwiches to. You’d have to order this inside wouldn’t you? 4 quarter pounder meals 2 big mac meals 1 Mc Nugget meal 3 diet cokes, 2 dr peppers, 1 Dew, 1 coke I always write it down and hand the counter person the list. less hassle than trying to repeat it over and over again. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-stupid-to-use-a-drive-thru-when-the-business-is-still-open/668862.md?page=2)