Restaurant touchscreen technology

[disneychrista]

McDonald's definitely. I've been to a few McDonald's locations where the kiosks are mandatory unless someone has a disability that prevents use.

Which is totally stupid. If I am paying cash and I usually am, I have to go to the counter to pay anyway.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Aren't those touchscreens probably far cleaner than they keyboard you are typing on?

My keyboard ? I clean it daily. Same with my phone screen.

I also try to not touch, directly, the other surfaces mentioned. If I have to, I wash my hands or use hand cleaner of some sort.

Oh, and I use my own pen to sign in at the doctor's office.

 

[MillauFr]

Which is totally stupid. If I am paying cash and I usually am, I have to go to the counter to pay anyway.

The problem with paying cash is you don't get a discount like you do when paying with credit cards.

 

[bcla]

Which is totally stupid. If I am paying cash and I usually am, I have to go to the counter to pay anyway.

I get the idea, which is to have 4 to 6 of these things where one person deciding won't hold up a line, and the majority will pay with a credit/debit card or electronic payment. But anyone paying cash should be in for a quick transaction. However, of course one of the reasons for this is a long-term cost saving.

 

[bcla]

The problem with paying cash is you don't get a discount like you do when paying with credit cards.

What discounts are there with credit cards? The only thing I recall is that the McDonald's app occasionally has mobile order only deals which can't be paid in person.

I've done a bit of mobile/web ordering recently. Many don't seem to allow for payment at the register, and require a credit card. The one exception I know of is Domino's. I've also taken to ordering a particular combo deal at Taco Bell, where the employees have flat out told me there's no option to order that in store. It's the Chalupa Cravings Box, which is five items - usually for $5 (depending on location) with some substitutions free. I believe it just comes up on their ordering system the same as a la carte, so they just do it by the numbers. At my closest location it comes up as more than $10 ordered a la carte.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm so confused. Where do they have touchscreens at restaurants? Admittedly, we do eat ff sometimes with the kids (I ain't too proud) and use mobile ordering, so I may have missed something not going into the restaurant.

ETA: I can only imagine how nasty my own phone is. Yuck.

A lot of places have them now:
https://www.restoconnection.com/touch-screen-kiosks/

They've been shown to increase sales and offer other positives for the industry, and for customers, so we're seeing more and more:
https://www.eater.com/2017/10/5/16428750/tablet-technology-restaurants-applebees-outback-steakhouse

Honestly, if there's fecal bacteria on the touch screens, it's probably everywhere anyways. How clean is that chair you pull out in a fast food restaurant right before you sit down and eat?

What is the difference between everyone touching the touch screens or all those same people touching the door handle when they've come in the door or the counter or any other surface that just happens to not be new technology?

Germs are everywhere. They aren't just on new technology.

I don't disagree. The issues for me are that a) they're in use before, during and after meals and b) the warm, moist, frequently used screen may be a better growth medium than a knob or a chair.

Can't help but thinking about it (and thought it was a good topic) as we're headed into influenza and noro virus seasons.

From articles about this particular study, germs were found to be there even after cleaning several times a day, which is also a concern.

Aren't those touchscreens probably far cleaner than they keyboard you are typing on?

My keyboard that I am typing on currently is probably filthy.

I agree, although I bet your individual computer is cleaner than a communal one! (Which may not be the case for everyone!) But talking here specifically about screens in restaurants.

 

[MillauFr]

What discounts are there with credit cards?

My credit card company deposits $100 - $200 per month into my account. The more I charge the more I get back.

I was really rolling in the cash when you used to be able to buy rolls of dollar coins from the US Mint with free shipping. The Mint took credit cards. Buy $10,000 in coins, deposit them immediately into your bank account, and get $200 free dollars. Of course it was too good to last.

 

[Jennasis]

There is fecal bacteria pretty much everywhere.

you're welcome.

 

[jrmasm]

Not something I even think about.

 

[Klayfish]

Doesn't bother me one bit. I don't give a poop.

I'm "immunocompromised" too, but I just don't understand the germophobia stuff. It's part of daily life, a little common sense is all you need.

 

[Allison]

What is the difference between everyone touching the touch screens or all those same people touching the door handle when they've come in the door or the counter or any other surface that just happens to not be new technology?

Germs are everywhere. They aren't just on new technology.

Exactly this. It's silly to point this out specifically.

 

[Micca]

Just curious about those touch screen devices, do they fall under the jurisdiction of the health department? What about other items on a restaurant table like salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce, etc? Do those ever get cleaned or inspected?

 

[rajak73]

So if you go to BOG at lunch, don't you use a touchscreen there to order unless you have pre-ordered. Wouldn't be any germs on that touchscreen.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I'm sort of laughing at the people who are upset that their doctors office makes them touch a touchscreen. Don't you think the pens you used to sign in the "old fashioned way" are just as germy as the touch screen?

 

[Klayfish]

I'm sort of laughing at the people who are upset that their doctors office makes them touch a touchscreen. Don't you think the pens you used to sign in the "old fashioned way" are just as germy as the touch screen?

And so is the chair in the waiting room, the exam table, the air you breathe in there...

 

[tvguy]

My credit card company deposits $100 - $200 per month into my account. The more I charge the more I get back.

I was really rolling in the cash when you used to be able to buy rolls of dollar coins from the US Mint with free shipping. The Mint took credit cards. Buy $10,000 in coins, deposit them immediately into your bank account, and get $200 free dollars. Of course it was too good to last.

Ah, so we can blame YOU for driving up retail prices to pay those rewards.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I'm sort of laughing at the people who are upset that their doctors office makes them touch a touchscreen. Don't you think the pens you used to sign in the "old fashioned way" are just as germy as the touch screen?

I used my own pen, I can't use my own computer.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Aren't those touchscreens probably far cleaner than they keyboard you are typing on?

My keyboard has my germs and virus type critters on it. I've already been exposed to all of them because they hopped off of me.

 

[disneychrista]

The problem with paying cash is you don't get a discount like you do when paying with credit cards.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I used my own pen, I can't use my own computer.

Just carry a stylus and you won't have to touch it.