By Lisa Batten Kunkleman
I counted thirteen cars wrapped around Chic Fil-A on a beautiful Monday at lunchtime. Those were just the ones I could see. Not even counting the lanes further around the building. No way was I wasting my morning sitting in a take-out traffic jam breathing fumes.
I parked in one of the many empty spaces so I could walk in and place my order. I planned to take a break from my smoothies and salads. In sheer rebellion, I was about to cheat on my healthy diet with a few teeny, tiny chicken nuggets while enjoying some me time in my car. Perhaps I’d listen to an audio book or just sit there with my windows down and enjoy the breeze.
Walking in, I saw not even a single soul in line at the three open registers. One man waited for a tea refill. Other than him, I was the lone customer in the large empty ordering area and I had my choice of perky, clean-looking employees smiling, ready to help me obtain my forbidden food.
“May I help you?” asked the nearest young woman whose name tag read Joy.
“Yes. I need a six-pack of nuggets and a half and half tea, please. Oh and some Chic Fil-A sauce.”
I was feeling super-defiant that day after eating nothing forbidden for the past forever and seeing no change on my blood work.
“And your name is?” she asked, showing me all her bright, white teeth.
“Lisa,” I said.
“Your order will be right up, Lisa, if you’d like to wait over here, we’ll call you when it’s ready.” Laughing, she waved her arm like Vanna White showing me my new car I’d won in the last round of Wheel of Fortune.
I moved two steps to my right as directed and heard from another smiling face behind Joy, “Lisa, your order is ready.” I saw another set of those shiny, white teeth.
Dang, that was fast. Smiling, speedy people. I took my little white bag; out of habit I grabbed two of the heavy-duty long straws, even though it was just me today and I only had one drink. Also, I stuffed a few napkins in the bag. Opening the heavy door, I took some pride and sick pleasure seeing that the car line had only moved ahead one car length.
Food in hand, walking beside the cars, I glanced at each driver in the take-out lane to see if anybody had a handicapped tag or had a car full of kids they didn’t want to wrangle in the playground. I remember that feeling and I used the drive-through lane back then, myself. I saw neither. I fought back the urge to tap on each driver’s window and say, “Seriously ya’ll. There is no line inside. You could be in and out as quick as a rabbit, plus adding a few steps to your Fitbit while saving gas and fighting air pollution.”
But I didn’t. People looked perfectly content to chill all alone in their air-conditioned vehicle and look at their smart phones. So what if it took half an hour to get their food. I wonder; are we lazy, anti-social, or in need of “me time” and the drive-through lane is an easy way to get some? Or are people more comfortable talking to an electronic speaker than experiencing smiling, fresh-faced, Joy?
May 3, 2016 at 9:57 pm
The one place you don’t want to wait at the drive-thru is Chic Fil-A, it’s always packed! I don’t get it either, Lisa, but I’ll guess laziness.
May 3, 2016 at 10:34 pm
Love this blog post! I totally agree with your take on this. But hey, as long as the rest of the world is that lazy, you will never have to wait in line!
May 3, 2016 at 11:00 pm
Hi and thanks so much. I do appreciate the lack of inside line. I just shake my head in wonder.
June 4, 2016 at 4:39 am
Some things just work to our advantage. I’ll take it. Have a lovely weekend. Enjoy that cute bird back in the nest.
May 3, 2016 at 10:51 pm
I really enjoyed this little “slice of life”. Thank you!
May 3, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Thanks Don. I appreciate your reading my little life stories.
June 4, 2016 at 4:39 am
Thanks, Don. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
May 3, 2016 at 11:09 pm
I hardly ever go through drive-throughs. I like to park and go inside too Lisa. <3
Diana xo
May 3, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Sure speeds our lives along, moving to the front of the line. Ha
June 4, 2016 at 4:40 am
They have their advantages once in a while but mostly, in makes sense. Have a good weekend.
May 7, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Lisa, next time I’m tempted to go through the bank drive-through am going to think of this story. Just think of the calories we can burn getting out of our car and moving a bit more!
June 4, 2016 at 4:42 am
Oh yeah. That step count on my phone makes me want to park further away if it’s not freezing or roasting or raining or i look like a hag or… You understand. Thanks for reading.
May 23, 2016 at 11:26 am
You’re so right. They have the longest drive-thru lines of all. I go to one that is adjacent to a Smokey Bones restaurant with a much bigger parking lot. It’s so worth the extra walk. ☺
June 4, 2016 at 4:43 am
Yep. Count those steps and save time too. It’s a win-win. Thanks.
May 24, 2016 at 9:19 pm
I don’t get it either, Lisa. I’d much rather walk in and stretch my legs. I vote “Lazy.”
June 4, 2016 at 4:44 am
Hey Carol. Can’t afford lazy, or burning gas, or polluting the world, or wasting all that time. Thanks.