Fast Food Etiquette

Although you see fast food joints as being without any rules or regulations, there really are some fast and hard rules that most people take for granted when coming in to get a quick and cheap meal.

Here are some quick rules I have seen after being in the fast food world:

Yes, you can have it your way, just be prepared to wait longer and step aside, also to have everyone question what you want and how much longer it will take. There are times like the lunch or breakfast rush, where everyone may stare at you like you just caused a huge traffic jam, but as long as you are prepared for that behavior from others, you can deal with these customers who won't dare ask for what they really want.

The person behind the counter has to deal with the public all day, every day, for a very small wage and usually this public is hungry and cranky. So, please have some patience when something gets screwed up and they will make it right, don't be one of those out of control idiots who think they are saving the world because they told some poor soul off regarding the "no pickle" on their burger today!

There have been times when people are in such a hurry they can't even wait 30 seconds longer if the fries are not cooked yet or if someone has to replenish any item. Really, if you are in that sort of a hurry, perhaps eating is not the best option at this time. I have also seen people rattle off an order so fast you would have thought it was another language or request, and then these people become frustrated that the person wafting on them can't just read their minds. Chill, people, it's just one lunch or breakfast, one of many you will have in a lifetime.

If it is the middle of a very busy rush time for the place that you are eating at and you are not familiar with the menu or you are just not sure what you want to eat at that time; go ahead and let people order before you. There is no crime in just letting someone go before you if you are going to take awhile; no one will ever come and penalize you for this, as a matter of fact you can feel like an upstanding citizen for not clogging up the whole process when everyone is sure of what they want and there is a flow that we are all a part of. This is much better because that is what we do go to fast food places for is they are usually "fast".

The best etiquette any where you go or in anything you do is to be considerate of others and also get your needs taken care of in the process. If you can do that then you feel better about your interaction and so do the people around you. Etiquette is all about getting all of our needs met without stepping on everyone else's toes to do it.