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I’m not a big fan of going through drive-thru to get fast food. I feel sometimes I can’t understand what the employee is saying. It sounds kind of muffled, full of static, almost like the teacher in Charlie Brown. Since my order appears on the screen and it has yet to be incorrect, I guess the communication is somewhat clear.
I’m petite, with short arms to go along with it. I feel I have to pull real close, almost too close to the drive-thru window to hand the cash. So instead I use credit or debit to avoid the falling change mishap. Same goes food. I have to stretch my arm in order to grab the food.
What’s funny is sometimes the drive thru line can be almost a mile long, but when you go inside there’s practically no line-up. People don’t want to get out of their car, walk-in and place an order. There are actually some drive through ONLY locations for Tim Horton’s. Guess you’re too busy to sit down and enjoy that coffee. However, if you’ve been driving around all day though, wouldn’t you want to get out of your car?
Perhaps you’re in a hurry and it seems like a hassle to find a place to park. But regardless of whether you’re inside or in your car, you’re most likely going to be waiting in some line. Maybe it feels like you’ll get your food faster if you go through the drive-thru lane. As if fast food isn’t fast enough.
Not only is there fast food drive thru, there is….get ready for this….ATM drive thru!
Wait a second here, I thought ATMs were already quick and convenient enough?!??! You bypass waiting in line for the bank teller. You can do most transactions with an ATM. I’ve rarely had to wait in line to use the ATM.
I’ve seen people use the drive thru ATM. I’ve seen an actual line for this drive thru when in fact nobody was using the ATM inside (there were four machines that were not being used). Now the only reason I can think of using the drive thru version is if it’s late at night and you’re concerned about your safety. Other than that, I really don’t see a point.
I see it more as laziness. For short armed people like me, it would just be even more awkward inserting a card and punching in my password. Next thing you know, there will be drive thru grocery stores.
Have you ever used a drive thru ATM? Would you use one?
Most of the ATMs around here that don’t charge insanely stupid fees are drive ups, but sometimes I walk up to them or ride my bike. =) The short arm problem is annoying, and compounded by the fact that my car is really low to the ground. So there’s pretty much no way for me to use them while seated in my car.
Well it’s definitely not lazy if you use your bike to go through the ATM drive thru. 😉
I’ve only seen a few ATM drive ups in my area.
I thought they’ve been around forever. I don’t see many around LA, but I do in Michigan. I end up having to get out of the car anyway because it’s too hard to reach. Yes, people in general I think are lazy.
I guess it depends on where you live. Growing up, I never saw them. Even now, I don’t really see too many of them and I live in suburbia.
We have them all over the place. I tend to avoid them, I find it awkward hanging out your car window trying to punch in your PIN. Plus I don’t like idling unnecessarily anyway.
Awkward, ditto.
Hence, why I won’t even bother to attempt to use one.
The very same question I am asking lately. It seems like people like everything to be instantaneous where everything can be had with just a push of a button. Would the time come that we would also push the button for love?
Excellent point, Jen. 🙂 Our society (I’m sure technology plays a huge role in this), is not only lazy, but impatient.
The first time I saw this it must have been about 5 – 7 years ago. I just don’t see how it can be practical… you have to lean OUT of your car door if you aren’t parked close enough and it’s not like you’re punching in your PIN very discreetly with your fingers and hands outstretched to reach the buttons…
Honestly, they should just get rid of them. It’s more a pain in the ass than a convenience.
Perhaps they need to think about a redesign for the ATM drive thru to make it less awkward/annoying.
Living in the city, I don’t think I’ve EVER used a drive thru. When I travel I always get out of the car. Must be the city gal in me 🙂
Shameful confession: I drive a lot, even if it’s a short, walkable distance. I can be quite lazy. It must be the suburbia gal in me. I grew up having to rely on the car because everything was spread out and public transportation sucked.
While I haven’t used one (I don’t drive) I have seen them in Vancouver.
And I have noticed the same phenomenon that you mention – drive through line ups are often longer than the store ones! When Brian and I do road trips, I always love every chance to stop and stretch, so staying in the car to use the drive through is not appealing at all to me.
My ass feeling numb after sitting down for a long time is another reason I want to get out and stretch. 🙂