OCR Text |
Show News & Views By GARY R. BLODGETT - Vv I have a phobia about drive-up windows. Nothing personal, you understand. It's just that I don't like talking to mechanical devices even if there is a human being on the other side hearing every word I say. I've known for a long time that I had a distaste for drive-up windows. I don't care if it's a fast-food restaurant or a bank. I simply miss the personal contact. I'll even get out of my parked car and dash through the rain to be inside when I make my purchase, or deposit my money. I want to be there to see what is going on. If I want chicken, for example, I will stand in line to place my order, even when the drive-up window line is free of cars. I want to see what they put in my goodie bag. I want to see if the chicken is fresh, or if my hamburger is hot off the grill and not one of those wrapped sandwiches that is placed under the infra-red light to keep warm. If the chicken looks too well cooked or like it has been standing too long, I want to order my chicken fresh even if I have to wait for it. Besides that, I want to get a whiff of what I'm about to eat. mf You can't get that by sitting in the car outside the drive-up window. But most of all, there's the personal touch of being served inside that doesn't come with drive-up window service, no matter how hard they try. It' s hard to get to know your bank clerks or to joke with your fast-food cooks if you use the drive-up window. Everything outside is strictly business. And it still bothers me a little to have to pay for something before you are served, such as it is with the drive-up fast-food window. Perhaps I'm in the minority. At least you'd think so by the constant use the drive-up window gets compared to those desiring desir-ing to do their business inside. Some people do not want to get out of their car to transact business. They are in a hurry to do what has to be done, and get on their way. I guess I'm different. I want the personal touch. I want to take my time and talk to someone and have them talk back. And not to simply say, "Your order is ready at the window." |