Drive-Thru Etiquette
Plenty of unspoken rules keep a drive-thru moving smoothly—know what you want beforehand, don’t talk on your cellphone, no placing giant orders. Yet, drive-thru lines are often complete pandemonium! With that, it’s time for a refresher on etiquette.
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1. Indecisiveness
Beep beep. A drive-thru isn’t the place for indecisiveness, especially with a long line of cars behind you. Taking a moment to graze the menu is one thing, but reading the entire board at the window is a good way to earn impatient honking.
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2. Not Having Payment Ready
Try to have money ready before hitting the window. Think of the drive-thru as an express lane—drivers and cashiers alike prefer it when customers don’t spend five minutes looking for their wallets.
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3. Multiple Orders
Multiple orders on one bill is okay, but anything more crosses a line! Figure out who’s paying and who wants what before you get to the window—if you and your friends try to pay separately, don’t be shocked to hear honking.
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4. Letting Others Order
Several orders don’t warrant several voices—it’s easier if the driver talks. Clamoring over each other to place individual orders takes more time, can lead to confusion, and is ultimately unnecessary.
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5. Inappropriate Speaking Volume
Try to be as clear as possible when it’s your turn to order. Workers won’t understand quiet requests, but they also don’t need orders shouted through the speaker. Generally, it’s good form to speak at the same volume as the employee.
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6. Not Moving
Busy drive-thrus can be bumper-to-bumper, but most cases allow some wiggle room. Be sure to pull up safely after placing your order so the person behind can make theirs. It’s a common courtesy that keeps the line moving.
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7. Checking the Order
We’ll admit it—some fast food locations are notorious for incorrect orders. While some circumstances warrant a cursory inspection, most of the time it just holds up the line. Truly worried patrons should head inside to avoid any mistakes.
8. Arguing Over Prices
We’d love it if fast food was still affordable, but the current prices are the current prices. That teenager behind the window isn’t going to cut a deal with customers or give out items for free. The same goes for honoring expired coupons or past promotions.
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9. Pranking Workers
Thanks to the internet, there seems to be a resurgence of pranking underpaid employees. Whether it’s making a mess at the window, ruining food, or scaring workers, pranks are alive and well and we really wish they’d stop. Please, just take your food and go!
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10. Smoking in the Car
Don’t light up in the drive-thru—cigarettes and vaping pens can irritate everyone nearby, not to mention it’s just plain rude to pull up to the window in a cloud of smoke. We know the drive-thru line is stressful, but hang in there.
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11. Placing Giant Orders
Have you ever been stuck behind someone ordering 20 cups of coffee? And they’re all different? And the line is getting longer? And you’re tapping your foot because you have to get to work but now that person is ordering breakfast, too? Exactly—it’s the worst. Don’t be that person.
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12. Making Strange Requests
Asking for no cheese on a burger is one thing, but asking for fresh fries with Himalayan salt is something else. It’s a McDonald’s, not a five-star restaurant, so keep requests to a minimum.
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13. Blasting Music
Blaring music is a nuisance for everyone—workers can’t hear, other drivers can’t place their order, and that soundtrack isn’t easing the tension. Be courteous to those around you and turn down the tunes.
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14. Being Impatient
While drive-thrus are supposed to be quick, that’s not always the case. Workers will sometimes need a moment and it’s easier for everyone, customers included, to just wait. Getting impatient puts everyone on edge and won’t bring the food any faster.
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15. Talking on Your Phone
Most phone calls can wait until you’re out of line. If you have to be on your phone, at least ask them to hold while placing your order. Workers can’t see you and have no idea you’re on the phone, so trying to hold two conversations confuses everyone.
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16. Lengthy Conversations
Speaking of conversations, drive-thrus aren’t exactly a place for heart-to-hearts. It’s not the end of the world to make small talk, but workers aren’t interested in a trauma dump or the grandkids’ favorite color.
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17. Treating Staff Poorly
It’s never a good idea to treat staff poorly, especially when they’re busy. Yelling about mistakes, refusing to park, or losing your temper doesn’t get the food out any faster. It’s also a good way to put people on edge even further.
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18. Not Paying
Okay, well first of all, this is a crime. Second of all, driving away with two Big Macs isn’t a heist to brag about. Not to mention, most locations are armed to the teeth with security cameras and can alert other nearby locations (and the police) of what happened.
19. Asking Too Many Questions
There’s no harm in clarifying questions, but too many hold up the line. Online menus can tell you what comes in a combo or on a sandwich, which helps both you and the workers when it’s time for the drive-thru.
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20. Changing Your Mind
Once your order is placed, that’s it. Finished! Donezo! Changing your mind at the window likely won’t get new food made and even if it did, you’d have to wait for them to remake it. You may also get charged for any alterations.
