13 Seemingly Polite Habits That Fast-Food Employees Actually Dislike

Fast food workers have a lot they may not want to disclose about their jobs, this includes habits of customers that they might find to be bothersome. Some of them may seem like common sense, for instance no one likes it when customers are rude to them, making a huge mess at the tables, or letting your children run wild in the restaurant. But there are an array of things that people do that you may assume are helpful but they are actually an annoyance for the workers. Let’s dive into 13 habits of customers that fast food workers dislike.

Providing Additional Money To Receive The Correct Change

For the convenience of your wallet you hand the cashier a $20 and two $1 bills when your total was $17, your expectation is to receive a $5 in change, but you may have inadvertently made that employee’s life more difficult.

It isn’t always the easiest thing for a fast-food employee to take note of the extra cash you have handed them, especially if it’s busy. Do them and yourself a favor and hand them exact change or the closest to it.

Failing To Correct Order Mistakes

There’s nothing more frustrating than getting home to find out your food order is incorrect.

Be very clear when placing it so no mistakes are made. The fast food employee will repeat your order to you, and it will most likely be on the screen at the drive-through, making sure it is correct. It’s much more difficult for the employees to correct an order at the window, then it is to correct it before you get there.

Staying At The Drive-Thru Window

Many fast food chains will have a designated parking area for customers to wait in until their food is ready to be brought out to them. This is meant to help the flow of the drive-through, and minimizes customer frustration.

You may be under the impression that it is easier for you to sit parked at the window, but the employees want you to listen to the instructions they are giving you.

Ordering A Large Order

Fast food chains certainly appreciate the business, but placing a large order at the drive-through really slows the flow of the line.

To help ease the employees frustration go inside, or even better order ahead of time.

Paying With Change

So you think you are helping by providing the restaurant with a bunch of change, in actuality you’re creating more frustration for the cashier. Paying with large amounts of change can confuse the register employee stumbling around trying to figure out how much change to give back to you, creating a longer line in your wake.

If you have no other option but to pay with change try to do it in as concise a way as possible, like paying with quarters only.

Picking Up Trays

Everyone knows it’s extremely rude to leave your leftover trash sitting at the table of the restaurant you are eating at.

Unless the reasoning is because the trash cans are filled to the brim. Make sure you are separating the wrappers and paper trash from the tray, and only toss the actual trash, don’t make the employees go sifting through garbage to retrieve the baskets and trays.

Waiting For Condiments At The Counter

Go up to the counter prepared top order, this includes asking for whatever condiments you want. Don’t linger at the counter waiting to ask for ketchup or hot sauce packets after the fact.

This is another one of those points that helps the restaurant with fluid productivity, keeps the line moving smoothly.

Inspecting Your Order At The Window

Don’t be that person that sits at the window and checks their order!

It’s extremely inconsiderate of the people waiting behind you, instead, pull up to the closest parking space to inspect your food. Of Course if something is amiss, speak up and tell the employee.

Letting Other People Pass You In Line

It’s a huge annoyance for the fast food worker if you get to the counter with no idea of what you want to order. Do everyone a favor and review the menu before it is your turn to order.

Standing there contemplating what you want, allowing people to pass ahead of you, all the while apologizing profusely. Instead of creating this whole scene, just come prepared to order what you want and save everyone the headache.

Asking Excessive Amounts Of Questions

You may think you are being polite by making small talk with your fast-food cashier, but asking too many questions or certain questions can certainly get under their skin.

Especially if these are questions that they hear all day long, instead be polite but keep it brief and to the point. Order your food and move on about your business.

Bringing Them Gifts

It’s not a surprise to anyone that many of the people traveling through the fast-food line are well less than sober. But many fast-food employees still find it necessary to remind possible customers to not attempt to hand them alcohol or a joint through the window. Remember that even though you are in party mode, these people are at work.

They may appreciate the thoughtfulness, but you are putting them at risk of losing their employment. Save the gift giving for another time.

Overloading The Trash Can

Obviously you think you are doing a good deed by picking up and throwing away your trash, and under normal circumstances this is proper etiquette. But if the garbage is bursting at the seams then adding to it is doing the polar opposite of being polite.

The employees would be far more pleased if you kindly came and informed them that the trash is too full and needs to be emptied.

First Name Basis

This one obviously isn’t an insult to all employees, some may even feel as though you are being polite by addressing them by the name on their name tag, but it may make others feel uncomfortable.

It can be unnerving for some people to have a stranger address them by their first names, they may feel that first name bases are reserved for friends and family. Since it can be difficult to decipher who is and isn’t comfortable with it, just do everyone the favor and avoid doing it.