# The Ten Commandments of Drive-Thru Etiquette **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 11, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607 "2005-08-11T16:51:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/201 "2005-08-14T07:21:54Z")
> [@Duck Duck Goose](#): > > Nitpick. > > Just wanna point out that it _actually_ goes: > > “I’m rubber, you’re glue, > Bounce off me and sticks to you.” > > Which I know isn’t exactly grammatical, as it oughta be, “Bounce **s** off me”, but that’s playground chants for ya. > > This version scans better, too. > > File for future reference. 😃 Really? Not to disbelieve you, but I remember saying the “whatever you say bounc **es** of of me” version way back in the coughlate60scoughcough. I didn’t know there was a composium of historically correct kid comebacks. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/202 "2005-08-14T07:42:45Z")
> [@FatBaldGuy](#): > > I have often been tempted to refuse to pull forward and say “No, thanks. I’ll just wait here until my order is ready.” But I’ve never actually had the guts to do it. Has anyone ever actually done this, and what were the results? Absolutely I have. If they’re screwing things up I’m not going to allow them the luxury to take even longer to get the stuff together (and I used to meekly pull ahead, where I was repeatedly forgotten or left until all of the “real” customers had been taken care of). What to I tell them? I very nicely say “No thank you, I’ll wait here, I’ve experienced your ‘it will be right out’ before”. I am nice about it, but firm. What happens? They get their qualuude drenched little brains in gear and get the stuff done as it SHOULD have been done in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/203 "2005-08-14T13:40:19Z")
> [@cabdude](#): > > Group B#: _revs engine_ MOVE IT ASSWIPE!!! NO READING!! NO REACHING FOR CURRENCY!!! NO WAITING TO ENGAGE DRIVE!!! Where’s my sniper rifle? _DON’T WAIT FOR THE TRANSLATION!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/204 "2005-08-14T13:40:28Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > Sure I could bring my lunch to work and bypass the whole scenario, but the fact is, sometimes I really just want that Whopper. So why should I be forced to have to rush and swallow my food without chewing just because the schmuck in front of me doesn’t comprehend how to utilize a relatively simple tool like the drive-through? Why should the schmuck in front of you be forced to hurry his order just because the schmuck behind him couldn’t be arsed to bring his lunch from home? More things on heaven and earth, Horatio. Thing is, there’s a happy medium here. Folks in a drive-through lane should be spending as much of their attention as they can to making the process go quickly, while still getting the food they want. As long as they’re doing that, you need to recognize that you’re not the only customer, and that the line may not always move as quickly as you want. If you don’t like that, you could always pay some dude ten bucks a day to go pick up your food for you, so that you don’t have to deal with the hoi polloi. > [@](#): > > Henry Rollins put it best when he said, and I’m paraphrasing here, “You’re murdering me slowly.” You could look at the bright side of things: by making fast food less appealing to you, they’re saving your life. Slowly. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/205 "2005-08-14T17:17:38Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Why should the schmuck in front of you be forced to hurry his order just because the schmuck behind him couldn’t be arsed to bring his lunch from home? > > More things on heaven and earth, Horatio. Because there is a little thing that most people seem to have forgotten about called common courtesy. It extends beyond the need to not be personally inconvenienced, which is a high crime to most people, and yet they’re the same hypocrites who have the nerve to roll their eyes when someone is inconvenienced by them. > [@](#): > > Thing is, there’s a happy medium here. Folks in a drive-through lane should be spending as much of their attention as they can to making the process go quickly, while still getting the food they want. As long as they’re doing that, you need to recognize that you’re not the only customer, and that the line may not always move as quickly as you want. Agreed. > [@](#): > > If you don’t like that, you could always pay some dude ten bucks a day to go pick up your food for you, so that you don’t have to deal with the hoi polloi. Disagree. The dope who can’t manage to use the drive-through effectively should have someone else go for them. Though, if it were an option to send a lackey, I would. > [@](#): > > You could look at the bright side of things: by making fast food less appealing to you, they’re saving your life. Slowly. No, they’re just slightly prolonging the inevitable murder, slowly. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/206 "2005-08-14T18:05:18Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > Because there is a little thing that most people seem to have forgotten about called common courtesy. It extends beyond the need to not be personally inconvenienced, which is a high crime to most people, and yet they’re the same hypocrites who have the nerve to roll their eyes when someone is inconvenienced by them. It seems to me that applies equally to you as to them. > [@](#): > > Disagree. The dope who can’t manage to use the drive-through effectively should have someone else go for them. But they are using it effectively. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/207 "2005-08-15T01:43:59Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Really? Not to disbelieve you, but I remember saying the “whatever you say bounc **es** of of me” version way back in the coughlate60scoughcough. Actually, it’s probably one of those regional things, like the “soda/pop” thing. I learned my version in the 60s, too, but in the Chicago white-bread suburbs. Where did you learn yours? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/208 "2005-08-15T01:46:31Z")
And actually, come to think of it, I learned it in the _early_ 1960s, which makes it the hanging-over-from-the-Eisenhower-Era 1950s version. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/209 "2005-08-15T01:51:43Z")
And actually, come to think of it, I learned it in the _early_ 1960s, which makes it the hanging-over-from-the-Eisenhower-Era 1950s version. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/210 "2005-08-15T01:58:47Z")
Yes, but did you learn it for twenty minutes? ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/211 "2005-08-15T03:55:18Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > It seems to me that applies equally to you as to them. Thus the reason I can pull in, order, pay, and be gone in as long as it takes them to process my order and get my food to me. My consideration to others and their lack of the same is exactly what frustrates me and is the entire gist of my statement. It is not hypocritical to give something and expect it in return, but be upset when it is not. Only if I didn’t offer it in the first place would I not have the right to gripe. > [@](#): > > But they are using it effectively. We have different definitions of effective. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/212 "2005-08-15T03:59:22Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > Thus the reason I can pull in, order, pay, and be gone in as long as it takes them to process my order and get my food to me. My consideration to others and their lack of the same is exactly what frustrates me and is the entire gist of my statement. > > It is not hypocritical to give something and expect it in return, but be upset when it is not. Only if I didn’t offer it in the first place would I not have the right to gripe. Indeed. They’re giving you all the time you need to make your order, not crowding you, not complaining the least bit no matter how long you take. They expect the same courtesy from you. Why should your habits take precedent over theirs? It seems to me that you go knowingly into a situation where other folks’ legitimate behavior is going to frustrate you; I think you either need to recalibrate your frustration, or not go into the situation. Again, the rule at fast food is that you have to wait for the people in front of you, not that you have to pace your order according to the desire of the people behind you. If you don’t like that rule, it’s upon you to find a way around it – e.g., hiring someone to pick up your food for you. > [@](#): > > We have different definitions of effective. My definition is that they use the process to achieve the results they’re trying to achieve. If they leave with the food they want, they’ve succeeded. Your irritation at their efficacy is not their concern. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/213 "2005-08-15T05:36:49Z")
> [@Left Hand of Dorkness](#): > > Indeed. They’re giving you all the time you need to make your order, not crowding you, not complaining the least bit no matter how long you take. They expect the same courtesy from you. > > Why should your habits take precedent over theirs? It seems to me that you go knowingly into a situation where other folks’ legitimate behavior is going to frustrate you; I think you either need to recalibrate your frustration, or not go into the situation. The name of the game is “fast food”. I need no time, nor do most people. If I do need time to decide, my decision is made by the time the voice comes out of the speaker box asking to take my order. I ensure this habit because I would not deign to be rude enough to steal precious time from the people behind me, or to irritate the hard pressed people inside trying to accomodate a lunch rush. My habits should take precedence over theirs because I do exactly what is necessary to get my order in and get out of the way as quickly as possible, much to the delight of those behind me and those inside (I’ve actually been complimented and comped by the staff because of my quick and courteous behavior). I go into these situations because I must. To follow your logic, why should I digress from my routine just because there might be a schmuck in line at the fast food restaurant? Or at the grocery store? Or at the ATM? Or in the movie ticket line? My frustration stems from my taking the time to be prepared and having to suffer through someone who is not because they couldn’t be bothered to take the 3 seconds to think things through beforehand. Their lack of action shows a disregard and disrespect for everyone around them. Are there worse ways to show it? Sure, but the statement made in line is the same made if they’d deliberately cut me off on the highway. And, frustration is a perfectly acceptable response. I don’t shout obsenities or honk my horn or flip them off. I don’t drag them out of their car and beat them senseless. I see no wrong with becoming frustrated because some asshole refuses to offer me the same courtesy I offer them. > [@](#): > > Again, the rule at fast food is that you have to wait for the people in front of you, not that you have to pace your order according to the desire of the people behind you. If you don’t like that rule, it’s upon you to find a way around it – e.g., hiring someone to pick up your food for you. And the rule of common courtesy is that you do unto others as you would have done unto you. Regardless, it is not a complicated procedure. There is absolutely no reason for a person to take more than the time it takes to speak your order. If they have 86 cents and don’t know what they can get for 86 cents, go inside. If they have a coupon, mention it while ordering, not at the window. If their wallet is difficult to reach, get it out beforehand. They aren’t a whole lot to ask and in the end they save everyone time. But people can’t be bothered with anything outside of their own little self-centered world. People go through the drive-through because they’re in a hurry, so the near-sighted grandma in the Lincoln who can’t see well enough to fit the car through the narrow lane, nevermind what her options are, need to go the hell inside or subscribe to Meals-on-Wheels. > [@](#): > > My definition is that they use the process to achieve the results they’re trying to achieve. If they leave with the food they want, they’ve succeeded. Your irritation at their efficacy is not their concern. The definition I use is summarized in the dictionary as: 1 a : producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect. Taking their time is neither decided, decisive, nor desired. The desire is to move the line as quickly as possible. That it is not their concern is exactly the problem. They have no common courtesy. If they did, they’d give a rat’s ass about the world outside their own personal microcosm and realize that their actions are inconveniencing others. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/214 "2005-08-15T06:08:35Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > I only get 30 minutes for lunch. Sucks for you. The length of your lunch break is not really my concern. > [@](#): > > So why should I be forced to have to rush and swallow my food without chewing just because the schmuck in front of me doesn’t comprehend how to utilize a relatively simple tool like the drive-through? Last job I had involved a lot of driving, so I tended to go to a lot of drive thrus. Just because two restaurants are both franchises of the same corporation doesn’t mean they have the same stuff on the menu. The combo meals may be numbered differently, the prices may vary, one restaurant may do combos that aren’t officially listed while another may not, there may be a promotional item that’s not available at all restaurants, etc. > [@](#): > > Two minutes of my precious lunch, and life, that I’ll never get back because you’re an idiot. And then it’s another 20 seconds in line at the grocery store, per person ahead of me. And then another 17.26 seconds at the ATM machine… > > Henry Rollins put it best when he said, and I’m paraphrasing here, “You’re murdering me slowly.” You’re gonna give yourself an ulcer. Relax a little, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/215 "2005-08-15T13:04:50Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > The name of the game is “fast food”. I need no time, nor do most people. If most people don’t need any time, then your scenario– > [@](#): > > Yeah, it may just be 30 seconds extra, but that’s you. If I’m the 4th car in line and everyone thinks that way, that’s two minutes. is vanishingly unlikely to occur, so what’s the problem? > [@](#): > > And the rule of common courtesy is that you do unto others as you would have done unto you. Indeed–so, by giving you all the time you need to make your order, the slowpokes are behaving courteously to you, since that’s what they would do unto themselves. Yes? > [@](#): > > People go through the drive-through because they’re in a hurry, so the near-sighted grandma in the Lincoln who can’t see well enough to fit the car through the narrow lane, nevermind what her options are, need to go the hell inside or subscribe to Meals-on-Wheels. No, she doesn’t. Why is she going through the drive-through, do you think? > [@](#): > > The definition I use is summarized in the dictionary as: 1 a : producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect. > > Taking their time is neither decided, decisive, nor desired. The desire is to move the line as quickly as possible. Your desire is irrelevant to whether they’re effective. Only their desire is relevant. If they desire to obtain their food, and they decidedly do obtain their food, then they’ve achieved a decided, desired effect. If the food matches what their decision on the order was, they’ve met the definition perfectly. > [@](#): > > That it is not their concern is exactly the problem. They have no common courtesy. If they did, they’d give a rat’s ass about the world outside their own personal microcosm and realize that their actions are inconveniencing others. Of course they have common courtesy: they’re giving you all the time you need. If they’re not screwing around when their time to order comes (talking on the cell phone, reading, chatting up the speaker), then they’re behaving with perfect courtesy. If you don’t believe me, I invite you to write to Miss Manners, or the etiquette guru of your choice. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/216 "2005-08-15T13:25:13Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > My habits should take precedence over theirs because I do exactly what is necessary to get my order in and get out of the way as quickly as possible, much to the delight of those behind me and those inside (I’ve actually been complimented and comped by the staff because of my quick and courteous behavior). I’m sure their mechanical timer thinks you’re great > [@](#): > > I go into these situations because I must. To follow your logic, why should I digress from my routine just because there might be a schmuck in line at the fast food restaurant? Or at the grocery store? Or at the ATM? Or in the movie ticket line? You may not have noticed it but there are diverse people in the world and things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes people are at a new ATM and not familiar with the menu, or they have several transactions. Sometimes at the grocery check out there’s a trainee having a problem with a customer who wants to write a check. Sometimes people are trying a new fast food joint for lunch so they have to take a minute to look at the menu. Or someone is on there way somewhere and buyings snacks for a group so it takes a little longer. It’s called real life and real people. They don’t have to follow a set of rules you made up and they’e not schmucks because they interfered with your routine. We’ve created this _hurry up_ society and the result is bad attitudes like yours. > [@](#): > > My frustration stems from my taking the time to be prepared and having to suffer through someone who is not because they couldn’t be bothered to take the 3 seconds to think things through beforehand. Their lack of action shows a disregard and disrespect for everyone around them. Are there worse ways to show it? Sure, but the statement made in line is the same made if they’d deliberately cut me off on the highway. I agree a car full of people who are undecided about what they want should go inside instead of discuss it at the menu board but I know that happens occasionaly. If I decide to take 30 seconds or more to consider any new items on the menu or to remind myself what they have because I only come through twice a year then I’m not being discourteous to anyone. Expecting everyone to have decided and be ready when they get there is unrealistic. > [@](#): > > And, frustration is a perfectly acceptable response. I don’t shout obsenities or honk my horn or flip them off. I don’t drag them out of their car and beat them senseless. I see no wrong with becoming frustrated because some asshole refuses to offer me the same courtesy I offer them. You definition of courtesy is skewed. Courtesy does not demand that everyone be perfectly prepared every time they do anything that involves other people. Courtesy isn’t about saving time. It’s about dealing with people. Patience can be a part of courtesy. I began to notice how much I was buying in to the “hurry up” culture and I’ve made a change. If someone on front of me has a problem and takes longer I won’t get frustrated. I help if I can and wait patiently if I can’t. If they apologize then I smile and say “No Problem, no need to rush” If I don’t have time to wait then I just go on my way without blaming anyone. It’s just life and stuff happens. > [@](#): > > And the rule of common courtesy is that you do unto others as you would have done unto you. Courtesy usually means two people interacting with each other. Sitting in the car behind someone is not interacting with them. It is considerate to be aware that others are waiting but people gauge how long is too long differently. Your exteme is one end of the spectrum. > [@](#): > > Regardless, it is not a complicated procedure. **There is absolutely no reason for a person to take more than the time it takes to speak your order.** If they have 86 cents and don’t know what they can get for 86 cents, go inside. If they have a coupon, mention it while ordering, not at the window. If their wallet is difficult to reach, get it out beforehand. They aren’t a whole lot to ask and in the end they save everyone time. But people can’t be bothered with anything outside of their own little self-centered world. Certainly there are many self centered people in the world. I’ve even noticed some folks seem to think being oblivious of others is a form of self esteem or personal pride. The “it’s all about me and what I want” syndrome. However, the statement I bolded is just a\* ridiculous\* standard that only serves to keep you frustrated and critical of others. > [@](#): > > The definition I use is summarized in the dictionary as: 1 a : producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect. > > Taking their time is neither decided, decisive, nor desired. The desire is to move the line as quickly as possible. Again we come to what is a reasonable amount of time? Customers who frequent the place and know exactly what they want take less time than customers who only come once in a great while and have to read the menu or groups. > [@](#): > > That it is not their concern is exactly the problem. They have no common courtesy. If they did, they’d give a rat’s ass about the world outside their own personal microcosm and realize that their actions are inconveniencing others. There’s a thing called balance. If the guy behind me only has a half hour for lunch thats not my fault. There’s no rule of courtesy that requires me to hurry and get something I don’t really want because he forgot to bring lunch. On Sat. when I have a only a half hour for lunch I bring lunch. It’s my responsibility to deal with my own schedule not someone elses. If I find myself cussing under my breath because I’m running a little late and the driver in front of me is going 5 miles an hour under the speed limit, that’s my failure not theirs. ---
**Author:** ![cabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@cabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cabdude)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607/217 "2005-08-18T00:02:48Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > _DON’T WAIT FOR THE TRANSLATION!!_ It took me a little while until I got it. ‘I am not in an American courtroom, sir.’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ten-commandments-of-drive-thru-etiquette/316607.md?page=10)