How do you feel about DRIVE THRUS?

[DisneyAddict_M]

I actually wish drug stores delivered. It's always when my daughter gets really sick that I realize I have no medicine for her.

Anyway, back to the topic...

I don't care much for drive-thrus. Half the time they get your order wrong and/or they're really slow. Quicker to run in usually. If a drive-thru convenience/drug store was offered, I doubt I would use it. I do use a drive-thru for my morning coffee, but that's about it...and that's only if the drive-thru line isn't too long. If it is too long, I'll just go inside. I hate waiting. I used to LOVE the drive-thru banking, but that branch has since shut down and I have to go to a branch without a drive-thru.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

My main reason for using drive thrus is that I will spend a lot less if I go up to a window and don't "shop". Lol I love buying useless stuff at walgreens -the drive thru helps keep my bank safer lol

I started thinking and almost every resturant in my town has a drive thru of some sort, all of the banks have them, one of our post offices, almost every gas station is pay at the pump, coffee houses, daqueris places(my personal favorite drive thru- especially after a long day at work), dry cleaners, drive thrus are even at movie rental places for call ahead reservations and dropping off movies. I'm sure there are others too. I know the local library I can drive to the book drop off slot and not have to get out of my car to return a book.

We do not have any drive thru churches or funeral homes but there are times that would be conveneient lol.

I can drive up to my kids schools to pick them up- although it is much quicker to park and walk to get the kids I'm guilty of idling in that long line.

So would I use a drive thru convenient store? Probably only in extreme circumstances that many have already mentioned- I desparately need an item and the weather is horrible- but otherwise I don't shop for anything but icee's or gas at a convenient store. Everything else is too dang expensive and hey if the situation exists above I can always send dh or my oldest kids to the stores for me. Lol

 

[mjkacmom]

I do apologize if I'm being soap-boxish. This is an issue that I feel really passionate about.

I want to say that I don't buy the argument that most of the people who use drive-thrus have very young children and are doing it for the safety of those children. If you sit and watch the cars that go through the drive-thru of a local coffee chain, you will quickly find that the majority of them consist of one to two adults only in the car. I am willing to put money on the fact that most of these people (not all) could easily park their cars and go into the store but for the fact that they are being lazy that day. Using the drive-thru occassionally is not the issue here for me; it's the habitual use the worries me.

I'm not saying that the government should ban drive-thrus or any such thing. I'm just saying that we should make our choices more wisely and that we would help ourselves (not just physically) and the environment if we were to make the decision not to use drive-thrus habitually.

I see the North American society becoming one of convience and it seems to be hurting us. It's frightening to me that many people's diets and the food they feed their children consist of microwaved dinners, fast food, sugar, and perservatives. I don't think that drive-thrus are the apocalypse but a symptom of a larger problem. When it gets to the point where people are so dependent on them that they can't imagine having to park their car and go inside to buy milk, that's a sign of a problem of relying too heavily on convience.



And no I don't have kids but I fail to see what that has to do with anything. I'm not talking specifically about parents here. I'm talking about all kinds of people. So, why do you keep asking me if I have children? If I don't have children, I can't possibly understand drive-thrus?

I agree with some of what you are saying. If I don't have my children with me, I rarely use the drive-thru - it's usually so much faster to go into the store. However, I have 5 young children - navigating a parking lot with them is scary - I'd rather play it safe and use the drive-thru, not to mention the effort of getting everyone in and out of the van. When I'm in a long drive-thru line, I do wonder why some able-bodied childless people insist on using the drive-thru, when going in is so much faster .

 

[DVCLiz]

The poster that the OP is referring to is me.

I think that the majority of people use drive-thrus not because they have mobility issues or because their kids are sick. I think they use them because they are convienent, the driver is often being lazy, and it's a habit.

Where I come from, there's currently a debate on getting rid of drive-thrus mostly because of the recent studies that show that idling in line at a drive-thru is quite often worse for the environment than turning off your car and going inside the store.

I also think we are hurting ourselves by relying so much on our cars. Nobody walks anywhere any more! (And this is coming from someone who KNOWS winter.) Obesity rates are continuing to climb and we're teaching our children bad habits. I really didn't think this was news. This is common knowledge where I come from.

I think you can choose to use a drive-thru if you want but if my life was so busy that I couldn't park my car and walk two feet and spend five minutes interacting with someone as I bought a carton of milk then something would have to change.

And I'm sorry but things like booze sold at drive-thru liquor stores, greasy hamburgers sold at the drive-thrus of fast-food restaurants, and coffee sold at the windows of coffee shops are not necessities of life. So if your children are sick, stay home and cook them a meal.

I am always amazed at the number of things people can find to be judgemental about on the DIS. Of COURSE I use drive throughs because they are convenient. I'm not harming the planet or contributing to my death by heart attack because I would rather get something from the convenience of my front seat - what an absurd statement.

If we follow this line of thinking, we should all feel bad about using a washer and dryer. After all, I have a creek near my house and I could just as easily go down and beat my clothes clean on the rocks, saving the electricity and giving myself a good upper arm workout in the process.


As far as parking and interacting with someone, if you want to spend your time making friends with the clerk at the conveneince store, be my guest. Me, I want to avoid the workers and the customers as much as possible - I'm not worried that my social interaction is being harmed because I prefer to stay away from my local convenience store clerk.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I think because if you had kids, you would see the need for and accept drive thrus.

I think you are misunderstanding me. I don't NOT accept drive-thrus. I'm not out there picketting and I certainly am not purposing that the government regulates them. I don't need children to have an opinion that able-bodied people travelling without children are being lazy when they feel the need to go through the drive-thru at their local convience store to buy milk. That's where this whole discussion started. (Why the OP felt the need to start another thread about it is beyond me.)

I agree with some of what you are saying. If I don't have my children with me, I rarely use the drive-thru - it's usually so much faster to go into the store. However, I have 5 young children - navigating a parking lot with them is scary - I'd rather play it safe and use the drive-thru, not to mention the effort of getting everyone in and out of the van. When I'm in a long drive-thru line, I do wonder why some able-bodied childless people insist on using the drive-thru, when going in is so much faster .

This is exactly what I'm trying to say! Thank you so much.

I am always amazed at the number of things people can find to be judgemental about on the DIS. Of COURSE I use drive throughs because they are convenient. I'm not harming the planet or contributing to my death by heart attack because I would rather get something from the convenience of my front seat - what an absurd statement.

If we follow this line of thinking, we should all feel bad about using a washer and dryer. After all, I have a creek near my house and I could just as easily go down and beat my clothes clean on the rocks, saving the electricity and giving myself a good upper arm workout in the process.


As far as parking and interacting with someone, if you want to spend your time making friends with the clerk at the conveneince store, be my guest. Me, I want to avoid the workers and the customers as much as possible - I'm not worried that my social interaction is being harmed because I prefer to stay away from my local convenience store clerk.

It's not an absurd statement. There are tons of studies, and perhaps common sense, that show that idling is bad for the environment.

And believe it or not, some of us do feel guilty when we use the clothes dryer because we are too lazy to hang our clothes outside and, therefore, try to do things to minimize our carbon footprint.

And it's interesting that you see other people in your community as people to be avoided at all costs. That's your opinion but I can't be faulted for seeing nothing wrong with having a conversation with a retail clerk or the neighbours I might meet while out and about.

 

[jama]

When I was growing up there was actually a drive through convenience store. I remember driving through on Sundays after Church.. (which was a big deal..you weren't supposed to shop on Sundays.. and most everything was closed.. ) But we had to have milk to last us til the milkman came.
He actually had keys to everyone's house and placed your milk in the fridge.
I sure wish there still were milkmen. This was in the 70's.

 

[RVGal]

See, now if everyone just did exactly as I do, the world be a much happier, healthier, safer, cleaner place.

Can't you people get that through your thick heads?

 

[Bob Slydell]

And believe it or not, some of us do feel guilty when we use the clothes dryer because we are too lazy to hang our clothes outside and, therefore, try to do things to minimize our carbon footprint.

If it helps any, I'll feel guilty the next time I'm in a drive-thru.

 

[Lintasare]

I do apologize if I'm being soap-boxish. This is an issue that I feel really passionate about.

I want to say that I don't buy the argument that most of the people who use drive-thrus have very young children and are doing it for the safety of those children. If you sit and watch the cars that go through the drive-thru of a local coffee chain, you will quickly find that the majority of them consist of one to two adults only in the car. I am willing to put money on the fact that most of these people (not all) could easily park their cars and go into the store but for the fact that they are being lazy that day. Using the drive-thru occassionally is not the issue here for me; it's the habitual use the worries me.

I'm not saying that the government should ban drive-thrus or any such thing. I'm just saying that we should make our choices more wisely and that we would help ourselves (not just physically) and the environment if we were to make the decision not to use drive-thrus habitually.

I see the North American society becoming one of convience and it seems to be hurting us. It's frightening to me that many people's diets and the food they feed their children consist of microwaved dinners, fast food, sugar, and perservatives. I don't think that drive-thrus are the apocalypse but a symptom of a larger problem. When it gets to the point where people are so dependent on them that they can't imagine having to park their car and go inside to buy milk, that's a sign of a problem of relying too heavily on convience.



And no I don't have kids but I fail to see what that has to do with anything. I'm not talking specifically about parents here. I'm talking about all kinds of people. So, why do you keep asking me if I have children? If I don't have children, I can't possibly understand drive-thrus?

Ok I admit it...I use drive thurs...but NOT because I am lazy. I work full time...sometimes more than full time AND I am a student as well. My free time is VERY VERY limited so yes I DO use drive thrus. And that is the way it is for most people. It's not because they are lazy it's because their time is precious and they don't want to waste it standing in line.

Lets use this as an example...I get half an hour ONLY for lunch. I get penalized if I am back late from my lunch. Lets say I have to run to the bank and pick up something to eat as well. Yes I go to fast food chains but I found Wendys has nice salads if you provide your own dressing. I get to the bank to find the parking lot full of cars but only two in the drive up. So what would you do if you had limited time? Would you park, walk inside and wait in line even if you knew it would make you late getting back to work? I go to the drive up and am done in 5 min.

So the issue here isn't laziness...it's that people's time now is a precious commodity. If I had the option of being able to get milk at my local grocery store through a drive thru I would do it. Why? Because the only time I really get to go shopping is at 8 at night after class. And then I have to find a parking spot, get out of my car walk across the parking lot into the store all the way to the back to get my milk. By the time I pay and get back to my car at least 15 min has gone by. I find that a waste of time. And again I don't have much free time. So for many Americans and I am not saying this goes for all Americans our time is limited so we will take what conveniences we get if it means we can spend more time doing things we like and spending time with our families. Because I would rather be at home watching a movie or planning a Disney trip with my dad than standing in line somewhere.

And BTW...I am not overweight because I use the drive thru and rely on my car. Where I live you can't walk anywhere, nothing is close by enough to walk. You HAVE to drive to get to the grocery store or the bank and wherever you are going. I don't think you are understanding of people's circumstances and are making broad generalizations in regards to those who use drive thrus. So please stop being so judgemental until you understand fully the situation.

 

[DVCLiz]

It's not an absurd statement. There are tons of studies, and perhaps common sense, that show that idling is bad for the environment.

And believe it or not, some of us do feel guilty when we use the clothes dryer because we are too lazy to hang our clothes outside and, therefore, try to do things to minimize our carbon footprint.

And it's interesting that you see other people in your community as people to be avoided at all costs. That's your opinion but I can't be faulted for seeing nothing wrong with having a conversation with a retail clerk or the neighbours I might meet while out and about.

I'm happy to reduce my carbon footprint, but I'm not hanging my clothes outside. Not because I'm lazy, but because I am not going to worry about weather and animals ruining my clean clothes, and I am not willing to spend that much time hanging out 8 loads of laundry a week, plus sheets and towels. If you want to hang your clothes out be my guest, but I'm not ever going to and it has nothing to do with being lazy.

If your local conveneince store is a gathering place in your community and you like to visit to meet friends and chat up the clerk, again, be my guest. Mine isn't - I've never laid eyes on a single person I know when I've gone in a convenience store in my town, and the guy buying a 12 pack and a carton of smokes isn't the guy I want to strike up a conversation with. And I don't want to visit with the clerk, either. I happily visit with the staff and customers of many of the other businesses I visit in the course of my week - the dry cleaner, the drug store, the grocery store, the bank, the post office, the specialty stores near my neighborhood. I know and like all of the people I see there and I often run into neighbors and chat in line or while shopping. BUt NEVER in a convenience store - ick. I can't even imagine it.

 

[DVCLiz]

If it helps any, I'll feel guilty the next time I'm in a drive-thru.

My daughter and I couldn't agree on what we wanted for breakfast this morning, so I went through TWO drive-ins. So I'll feel twice as guilty....

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I think you are misunderstanding me. I don't NOT accept drive-thrus. I'm not out there picketting and I certainly am not purposing that the government regulates them. I don't need children to have an opinion that able-bodied people travelling without children are being lazy when they feel the need to go through the drive-thru at their local convience store to buy milk. That's where this whole discussion started. (Why the OP felt the need to start another thread about it is beyond me.)



This is exactly what I'm trying to say! Thank you so much.



It's not an absurd statement. There are tons of studies, and perhaps common sense, that show that idling is bad for the environment.

And believe it or not, some of us do feel guilty when we use the clothes dryer because we are too lazy to hang our clothes outside and, therefore, try to do things to minimize our carbon footprint.

And it's interesting that you see other people in your community as people to be avoided at all costs. That's your opinion but I can't be faulted for seeing nothing wrong with having a conversation with a retail clerk or the neighbours I might meet while out and about.

I kind of get what you are saying but truthfully- walking 5 feet to get a big mac or sitting in the car isn't really going to change much in terms of calories consumed. Also- I will never hang my clothes to dry. The outdoor stuff (pollen etc.) that would get on them would make life unbearable for my kids and husband who have allergies. I also would need half a football field with the amount of laundry we have. I don't think the PP was saying that it is terrible to talk to the clerks etc. (I could be wrong) but I have way too much to do and take care of when I am out with my kids than worry about chatting up an employee. It's not that I am rude, but I don't see it as social time. I do however know all the wonderful ladies at our supermarket because I practically live there and we do chat when I go in. They even know all my kids and are very sweet to them. Oh- and sometimes I use a drive thru when I am alone because it is cold and I don't want to get out of the warm car!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

So what would you do if you had limited time? Would you park, walk inside and wait in line even if you knew it would make you late getting back to work? I go to the drive up and am done in 5 min.

So the issue here isn't laziness...it's that people's time now is a precious commodity.

{snip}

By the time I pay and get back to my car at least 15 min has gone by. I find that a waste of time. And again I don't have much free time. So for many Americans and I am not saying this goes for all Americans our time is limited so we will take what conveniences we get if it means we can spend more time doing things we like and spending time with our families.

Are you asking what I would do if I only had a half an hour for lunch? Probably the same thing I do everyday: Pack a lunch and not run my errands during my short lunch break. I'm not saying you have to do that but since you asked for my solution, that's what I do.

All of our time is precious. I don't think that any of us have as much free time as we would like. However, going into a store to pick up a carton of milk which takes less than five minutes normally doesn't really add much to the quantity and quality of your life.

I'm happy to reduce my carbon footprint, but I'm not hanging my clothes outside. Not because I'm lazy, but because I am not going to worry about weather and animals ruining my clean clothes . . .

{snip}

If your local conveneince store is a gathering place in your community and you like to visit to meet friends and chat up the clerk . . .

People: I'm not saying that you have to hang your clothes outside or socialize with store clerks. I was responding to the comments that indicated that I was strange for doing so. At the end of the day, you can and will do what you want to do. I'm just expressing my opinion and justifying why I do the things that I do.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

Ok, Mrs. Smith. This is a crock, and let me tell you why.

You talk about people doing things because they're convienent, and because people are lazy.

Don't act like you're above this. Have you ever shopped at Wal-Mart? Or Target? Even the grocery store?

Let me explain what I mean.

Those big jumbo stores are there out of convienence. You used to have to visit multiple stores to get everything you need. Now, out of convienence, you just go to one.

You used to go to the pet store to buy your dog food. You used to go to the farmers market to get your produce. You used to go to the deli to get your bread and sandwich meats. You used to go to the butcher to get your roast, or pork chops. You used to go to the craft market to buy the thread and needles to alter your kids clothes.

Nowadays, you have one stop shopping.

So, let me ask you. Do you shop at Jumbo Stores? Isn't that a way of saving time, and having to travel less, and not having to go to five places instead of one? If you do, you're just as guilty as the rest of us, because I see no difference. You're shopping at Wal-Mart because it's CONVIENENT, and doesn't that just mean lazy? And by shopping at the Jumbo Stores, you're killing the "little man" and the way of life that used to be.

And if you don't, and you're riding all over town to get your things, you're still just as guilty, because you're burning more gas, letting out more toxins into the air than someone idling at a bank drive-thru.

 

[Lintasare]

Are you asking what I would do if I only had a half an hour for lunch? Probably the same thing I do everyday: Pack a lunch and not run my errands during my short lunch break. I'm not saying you have to do that but since you asked for my solution, that's what I do.

All of our time is precious. I don't think that any of us have as much free time as we would like. However, going into a store to pick up a carton of milk which takes less than five minutes normally doesn't really add much to the quantity and quality of your life.



People: I'm not saying that you have to hang your clothes outside or socialize with store clerks. I was responding to the comments that indicated that I was strange for doing so. At the end of the day, you can and will do what you want to do. I'm just expressing my opinion and justifying why I do the things that I do.

Fine...justify all you want. We are also justifying just like you are but the difference is...you are calling us lazy when THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

As for running to the bank on my lunch. I don't go to the bank often and when I do my lunch is the only time I have. Or did you miss it when I said I am also a student? When I get off of work the banks are closed and I have to get to campus. I could do an ATM deposit after hours but again the ATM is a drive up ATM.

Oh and just because a person looks healthy and able bodied in their car...it is not always the case. So stop being so judgemental of those in their cars at drive thrus. You never know, they could be disabled and you wouldn't know by looking at them.

And FWIW, if I am driving to work in the morning and I want to stop at Starbucks for a hot drink and it is below freezing outside...there is no way I am going to park and leave my warm car to go inside just to prove I am not lazy. I am going through the drive thru so I can stay warm. Lazy? I think not. Smart? Oh yeah.

 

[DVCLiz]

People: I'm not saying that you have to hang your clothes outside or socialize with store clerks. I was responding to the comments that indicated that I was strange for doing so. At the end of the day, you can and will do what you want to do. I'm just expressing my opinion and justifying why I do the things that I do.

I never said you were strange for doing any of those things. You did, however, call anybody who didn't park and go into a convenience store lazy.

 

[Beth76]

I see the North American society becoming one of convience and it seems to be hurting us.

Yes, because everything should be a PITA. Let's not make the world more convenient. You do realize that this computer you're typing on is a big convenience. It's not necessary. And your car. And your refridgerator. And your stove. And your shower. People lived for thousands of years without the convenience of running water and electricity. None of it's a necessity.

 

[Heidict]

If your local conveneince store is a gathering place in your community and you like to visit to meet friends and chat up the clerk, again, be my guest. Mine isn't - I've never laid eyes on a single person I know when I've gone in a convenience store in my town, and the guy buying a 12 pack and a carton of smokes isn't the guy I want to strike up a conversation with. And I don't want to visit with the clerk, either. I happily visit with the staff and customers of many of the other businesses I visit in the course of my week - the dry cleaner, the drug store, the grocery store, the bank, the post office, the specialty stores near my neighborhood. I know and like all of the people I see there and I often run into neighbors and chat in line or while shopping..

Huh???????? Are you reallly saying that people who use a convenience store are below you and that you could never see yourself speaking to them? You do realize that people of all walks of life use convenience stores. Not everyone is there to buy cigs and beer. Heck, I bet there are even some nice and half way decent people who work there. If you were able to get down off of the pedestal you seem to have put yourself on you might realize that.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Here's another point about Drive Thru's.....from my personal xperience

Growing up my father was a general mgr. of a restaurant that yes, had a drive thru. Do you know that the DRIVE THROUGH patrons were given PRIORITY over patrons standing in the lobby???!!! So when some of you say that it is quicker to run in to a location vs. using a drive thru, I am not saying it is not true but if you ask someone who works at a place that has a drive thru, you may be surprised to see that those in the drive thru are more likely to be served 1st. I cannot count the # of times I have stopped at a store, seen the 5 car deep "drive thru" line, looked inside and seen 1 or 2 people in line, figured it would be "quicker" to just run inside, only to see those 5 cars AND another 3 finish their business before I even stepped back outside the establishment.

 

[mickeyboat]

Here's another point about Drive Thru's.....from my personal xperience

Growing up my father was a general mgr. of a restaurant that yes, had a drive thru. Do you know that the DRIVE THROUGH patrons were given PRIORITY over patrons standing in the lobby???!!! So when some of you say that it is quicker to run in to a location vs. using a drive thru, I am not saying it is not true but if you ask someone who works at a place that has a drive thru, you may be surprised to see that those in the drive thru are more likely to be served 1st. I cannot count the # of times I have stopped at a store, seen the 5 car deep "drive thru" line, looked inside and seen 1 or 2 people in line, figured it would be "quicker" to just run inside, only to see those 5 cars AND another 3 finish their business before I even stepped back outside the establishment.

We eat fast food occasionally, and in my experience it really does seem like the drive thru people are better trained than the counter people.

Denae