12 rude habits you should avoid in the drive-through

Drive-throughs (aka drive-thrus) are the ultimate in dining convenience, but make sure your habits keep it that way for everybody else.

Think of the drive-through as the express lane of the restaurant. Don’t know what you want? Need some time to decide? That’s totally fine – just go inside so you can take your time, ask questions and so on without slowing down the express lane.

Some restaurants even measure the time it takes their staff to process each car’s order, so slower cars can actually affect a worker’s performance rating.

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Your turn to order? Pull up and talk clearly into the speaker. Don’t mumble or face the back seat while ordering. Likewise, don’t yell or shout into the speaker. That’s just bad manners.

One of the top pet peeves of drive-through workers? Having everyone in the car say their own order, especially your kids. It’s hard to hear, which slows things down and increases the likelihood of a mistake in your order.

You know this one. It’s just bad manners to interrupt. Let the cashier ask you if you want any fries or drink without interrupting. Chances are these extra tidbits of information are just part of their job. Wait until the order-taker is done with their greeting (or questions) and then place your order.

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If you must chat on the phone in the drive-through, take a pause in the conversation to place your order. It’s confusing for the worker to parse out which words are directed to her. Wait until the entire transaction is finished, so you’re sure to hear them repeat back the order, give the total and so on.

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Again, the drive-through is like the express lane. It should be quick and streamlined. If you’re going to order for a huge group, especially if there are any special requests in the mix, be courteous to your fellow drivers and go inside.

Grabbing food with a group of friends? If everyone is paying separately, then go inside. Creating a separate order for everyone in a car, or trying to split a bill over multiple cards, is difficult and slows down the drive-through line.

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Keep the flow of cars moving! When it’s your turn to order, pull right up. When you’re told to proceed to the next window, hop to it. And make sure to stay close enough to the window to make it easy to pass back and forth food bags and credit cards.

Once you’ve pulled up to the window, the restaurant is already preparing your food. Changing your order is effectively making them start over – again, a major slowdown. If you need to get a different item, it’s probably best to park and head inside.

Need extra items? (Think extra napkins, sauce, etc.) That’s OK, just ask right away.

Whether you’re checking the items in your order, fumbling for your wallet, or fiddling with the radio, it’s a major faux pas to dawdle at the pick-up window. It’s even bad form to chat with the worker. It’s nice to say good morning or evening but then stick to business.

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