A Day in the Life of a Fast Food Drive-Through Worker: My Biggest Pet PEEVES
As a drive-through worker, I face a variety of challenges every day, but some issues stand out as the most frustrating. From the stench of exhaust fumes to the chaos of misplaced orders, there are several pet peeves that can really test my patience.
Exhaust Fumes and Powerful Fans
One of the most annoying things I encounter is a vehicle rigged with its exhaust on the driver's side. The smell is overpowering, and the powerful fans in the drive-through area often suck it all the way up into the area where I work. Imagine gasping for breath and triggering an asthma attack while trying to take orders! It's not a pleasant experience, to say the least.
Obsessive-Compulsive Ordering Habits
I have a bit of an obsession with organizing orders as efficiently as possible. I can't stand when customers just dump everything onto the conveyor belt without any thought. It's much easier for customers to put away items if they are neatly bagged. For instance, I like to keep fresh meats together, as well as cold items, canned goods in their own bag, and so on. This not only makes it easier for customers when they get home but also speeds up the process for me. However, when the order belt is a huge mess, it takes me longer to bag everything properly.
Forgotten Items and Expensive Meats
Another pet peeve is when customers change their minds about purchasing items and leave them on the belt, especially if they involve expensive meats. I often find myself worrying about finding someone to put the items back on the shelf before they spoil. It's frustrating to see items that could have been sold to someone else lying on a conveyor belt when customers suddenly decide they don't want them.
Self-Checkout Lane Mischief
The self-checkout lanes can be particularly challenging. There are instances where customers try to steal or use fake coupons, and they expect me to override the system even if they don't have the required items. One incident stands out in particular. A woman rang up a series of Flonase coupons but didn't have any medications. She was trying to buy a rack of expensive ribs. When questioned, she called me a 'bitch' and refused to accept that she couldn't use the coupons. I called the manager over and felt proud of not losing my temper.
Furthermore, some individuals are so skilled at manipulating the system that they involve their children in the process. For example, they might ring up bananas for a low price and then place an expensive cut of meat on the scale. This can significantly cut their checkout time and save them a lot of money. While most of the time I catch these attempts, there are still times when the system is compromised.
In conclusion, being a drive-through worker is a demanding job, but dealing with these pet peeves can make it even more challenging. However, facing these issues and finding ways to resolve them efficiently is part of the job, and it's something I strive to do every day with professionalism and patience.