8 Things You Should Never Do At a McDonald's Drive-Thru Window

As a former McDonald's drive-thru worker, I've seen it all. And believe it or not, it's actually an incredibly stressful job – the flow of the entire drive-thru rides on my ability to do my job quicker than humanly possible. That task is often hindered by customers who unknowingly slow down the entire process for themselves, for me, and for everyone waiting in line behind them.

If you don't want to be that person, read the below things you should never do at the drive-thru window – and then don't do them. Ever.

1. Sit there and dig through your to-go bag.

There are multiple reasons why you should never, ever do this. 1. It's rude AF, because you're assuming I screwed up your order, which I didn't. 2. You're holding up the four cars behind you whose orders are now getting cold. 3. I'm being timed on how quickly I can get cars past the window and this delay might get me in trouble.

2. Say: "You messed up my order."

No, I didn't. You ordered a McChicken meal with no mayo, which is what I put into the computer. Unfortunately, whoever is working in the kitchen accidentally put mayo on it anyway. But that person wasn't me. I'd be glad to have them fix it, but, again, it wasn't me.

3. Bang on the window to get my attention.

If you're still sitting at my window after I've handed you your food, I will come back and check on you, because obviously something's wrong – otherwise, you'd be driving away with your food. So please don't bang furiously on my window. It's rude. And also unsanitary – you're about to eat with those hands.

4. Try to order something at the second drive-thru window.

There's a reason you order at the speaker box, pay at the first window, and get your food at the second. It's because I don't have a working cash register at the second window. So when you decide that you want another Coke after I've already given you your meal, I have to run over to the front desk, wait for whoever is working to finish the order they were taking, ring it in, get your change, and then make the drink and give it to you. Just save us all some time and pull back around to the speaker or come inside if you need something else.

5. Try to give me garbage to throw away.

Sorry, but I can't take your garbage. There could be toxic waste or the viral plague buried in that soiled napkin, so we can't take it into our restaurant and risk a health code violation.

6. Ask for a refill.

We can only do refills if you eat in the restaurant. Why? For the same reason we can't take your garbage. I don't know what you did to that cup after I gave it to you.