In the line for the drive-thru, a million cars in front of me. The minutes tick away and my stomach growls more and more ferociously as I wait. Finally, after what seems like ages, I pull up to the window, and receive my bag. When the worker wishes me a good day, I can’t help but offer a less than respectful, “Yeah, whatever.” We have all been there once, in one position or the other.

However, working in fast food as I do now, I have come to realize that customer complaints are not taken lightly. We are constantly scrambling around the kitchen, trying to make and serve everybody their custom orders. Maybe a pickle will slip through the crack when the screen clearly says no pickle. If a customer were to kindly bring that to our attention, we would happily remedy the problem. However, if someone yells and screams and throws the food back, I know I’m contemplating spitting in their food.

A few weeks ago, I was working the drive-thru window. A lady ordered an eight-piece chicken basket. Her food was ready in a timely manner. A happy customer, however, she was not. She wanted extra dipping sauce. Company policy is that there is an extra charge for surplus dipping sauce. While she was yelling at my manager, I couldn’t help but look at the timer that dictates our service. Time was ticking away and cars were lining up behind her. She never did get extra dipping sauce. Instead, she annoyed the manager and everyone behind her.

Customers are remembered. The good ones. Especially the bad ones. And the urge to spit in your food won’t go away.

Yelling and complaining won’t help you get your food faster. So just don’t do it.

Sam Dulaney