Ha! A "complicated order". Sigh. Different shouldn't equal complicated.

they have a Southwest salad that has a spicy oil and vinegar type dressing on top..I've asked for the salad without the dressing they normally use and a pkg of ranch dressing..I've tried about 5 times and it has ALWAYS had the spicy dressing..I take napkins and blot off what I can..I don't understand why it would be so hard to leave off the dressing..it would be the last step..

I always get the SW salad, which comes with a pkg. of Paul Newman's SW dressing. Never, ever should your salad be already dressed in a fast food place.

The fast food places around me are ridiculous. I went to a McDonald's one morning and ordered 2 egg mcmuffins. No special requests,just 2 egg mcmuffins. There was no one else at the drivethru,as it was 4 am. After I paid,3 different people came and asked me what I had ordered. These were adults,which made It more frustrating. It took almost 20 minutes, and when I got to work,there was a mcgriddle and a mcmuffin in the bag,both with only an egg. No meat,no cheese. Just egg and bread. And they were cold. Ew. 15 bucks an hour for that? Nah.

Another time,i was at a zaxbys. They asked me to pull up and they would bring the food out to me. So I did, 8 other cars came and went before I parked and went inside. There were 10 plus people working. When I asked about my order,mentioning that I had to get to work,they looked like I had 2 heads,then I saw the girl who asked me to pull up duck into the back. Then the manager came and told me that they had accidentally given my order to some one else,and if I would wait 10 more minutes they could make it fresh. I did not have 10 minutes,and told him so. It took 5 minutes to get my money back,I was late for work,and SO had to bring me food since once I get to work i can't leave for 12 hours.

These are just 2 of the many examples of bad experiences with fast food. My first job was at a subway,and even though I would have LOVED 15 bucks an hour at age 15,I realize that the job was not worth that,as I took all of one day to train me. And me and my co-workers at least had more sense than the cheese,which most fast food workers seem to lack these days.

But at least I got something fairly positive out of these experiences. Out of sheer frustration, unless I absolutely have to,I don't eat fast food anymore at all. I find myself growing less and less tolerant of incompetence,and incompetent people demanding such an exorbitant pay raise for such an unskilled position that many can't even perform satisfactorily is the outside if enough.

I understand your frustration but if it's a menu drink that comes out of a machine, pre measured according to McDonald's standards, that would be like me asking for a regular Dr Pepper, but with less sugar syrup because I don't like it sweet..... I don't see how that can be done. Those tanks have the Dr Pepper set to mix it all as it comes out of the spout into the cup. The same with coffee, sweet tea, Coke, Sprite. They push a button or pull a lever and get the menu options only.

The syrup with a soft drink is dispensed with the carbonated water. The syrup is added to the coffee, not mixed at the dispenser. Actually the syrup goes in first. That is why there is a bit at the bottom of the cup. Two different things.

Exactly Watchmelol, the first person and the manager made a point of the drink "coming out of a machine", however, they put the syrup in just like Starbucks by pumping syrup out of a separate container.

Have a lot of trouble with McD's, the one I went to today is usually pretty good. Although, for a time awhile back when I ordered an unsweet tea they would give me a sweet tea. I usually taste it before I drive away for this very reason. Used to be they got it right maybe half the time. I don't normally buy their food, can't stand it anymore, but I do like their iced tea occasionally. They've gotten better lately.

Then there was the time me and four "kids" (mine and my exchange students) went through the drive-thru at a Lexington McDs last year. All we ordered were drinks. 5 drinks. Nothing odd either, 4 sodas and an unsweet tea for me. Two adult women at the pickup window asked me 5 or 6 times what I ordered. Then gave me only one or two drinks, had to ask for the others and then didn't give me straws. They weren't busy so not sure what the problem was. It just boggles my mind.

I almost feel sorry for workers like that. The future will not be kind to them and incidents like these make it very hard to feel sorry for them (I do feel sorry for them- but I realize they are far beyond any help I can give- the deficits are just too great.)

I would feel more sympathy for them if I felt they had some sort of mental or severe learning disability. But in most cases,it's not lack of mental abilities, it's a case of people not giving a hoot,and having no motivation to give decent customer service. How many times have you gone to a fast food place or even a grocery store and the employees were too busy talking and playing around while barely doing their job? This is why I was VERY happy to see a lot of local grocery stores install self checkout lanes. I see places like Wendy's and even some McDonald's are starting to invest in self serve kiosks. Is it to avoid paying people a higher wage or is it to eliminate the least pleasant part of going to such places?

Anything out of the ordinary becomes an issue. DH often has to ask for extra milk at the Dunkin Donuts. It is always better when you can put your own milk in.

I was on a road trip, I forget now what state we stopped in. The McD's had waiter service, the way Paneras does.

I've recently switched from having milk in my coffee to taking it black. I used to hate going to Dunkin Donuts or any of those places that put in milk or cream for you, because they always add too much. I like those places such as Paneras where I can do it myself. In fact, even though I usually want it black, if the coffee has been allowed to get bitter, I can take a taste, and adjust in a little milk or cream if I so choose.

I did catch my Dunkin Donuts giving me sweet iced tea once before going out the door - I always want tea unsweetened. It's one reason I drink it, instead of soda.

Other than Panera's, I really don't like the food served at fast food restaurants, so I don't have any real horror stories. McDonalds is for their restrooms, and if there's no line after I get out, I may buy a coffee. Black.

My friends went to MdD's the other evening for an ice cream. It was 9:00pm, so not busy. The fellow was so engrossed in the ball game on TV that it took him three tries to correctly make a hot fudge sundae. Ice cream and topping. Complicated.

At least they got their sundaes! I'd say five times out of 10, when I've gone to McDonald's to get a cone, I'm met with, "Our ice cream machine's not working." You don't have a backup??

The secret of going to a "fast food" place, is to make sure you have lots and lots of time. The Mickey D's here are both dirty and incompetent. I feel

bad for the young people who work there though.

LOL since I drink my coffee plain I had no idea that they manually pump just the syrup into the cup before adding the rest of the coffee. I assumed the coffee was made according to a pre set standard like a soft drink. I don't blame you at all for questioning their excuse. Thanks for clarifying watchme. Learn something new every day!

three pumps? well, that explains everything! didn't have math skills to know what half of 3 was??

that's one reason why i don't like DD., don't like them fixing my coffee !! around here we have WAWA, which is all self-serve!! YAY!!

never had McD's coffee., have not been in one for years!

I've eaten at McDonalds all over the world. The one in San Juan Puerto Rico is the worst for getting anyone's order right. They claim if it's not a combo meal, a #1 or #2 ....they can't sell it. But the menu sign has a picture and a price for individual items. Got in a BIG argument over NOT wanting a soda with my burger & fries. :0) Oh...and NOTHING was in English, nada!

I do have to say my local Postal Office is really bad. I go in there, there's a line, and the clerks spend about ten minutes apiece chatting with the customers ahead of me, and then another 5 or so chatting it up with the other clerks. Move that line, please!

Oh boy...mail delivery. I have had 3 mail "persons" in the last year and a half. The 1st was fired for stealing (at the PO, I assume), the 2nd, kept getting lost

and was delivering well after 5 o'clock at night, and the 3rd (present) is a

gossip (that's how I learned about the first 2.) LOL But...she is hard working

and much better. This is the longest route in this zone...so never get my

mail until afternoon..but, so it goes. She is very careful with packages, etc.

Don't get me started on the post office! We had a great carrier, but I assume he retired. Since then, we have had nothing but problems. I signed up for informed delivery at USPS, which sends an email with a picture of all the mail you will be receiving that day. You can also report when you did not receive an item, although it says there's really nothing they can do about that. I report missing items about three days a week, but so far it has all been junk mail.

I think that for the most part letter carriers and fast food workers do a fine job.

Socks, my letter carriers are great. It's the ones at the post office I worry about. I don't know about the fast food workers over all, because most of that which is served there I do not consider to be real food, so i don't eat in those places. Not the servers fault, I know.

I'm torn. I feel like anyone who works full time should be able to support themselves, regardless of intelligence, and that's difficult to do in many areas of the country on minimum wage.

On the other hand, many fast food jobs and retail jobs are not intended to be careers, but rather something for teenagers to make some extra cash. It's evolved into adults with families to support and that makes it difficult. I do think there needs to be some incentive to become educated and skilled to move up in the world.

That being said, I think the bigger issue at hand is that salaries have not increased with cost of living the last few decades. I don't think it's right to pay fast food workers the same, or more than, teachers and social workers and the many other skilled careers that are low paying.

If a worker is good, the worker will be promoted and earn more. If they're lazy and indifferent, they will never be able to support themselves, let alone a family. Everyone has to start somewhere and it's usually at the bottom, no matter what the job. Even newly minted lawyers get the worst and most menial jobs. It's the attitude that makes the difference if one moves up the food chain. Most businesses, and in particular, businesses in the service industry, are always looking for good people to promote. They find very few due to attitude.

We have to continually remind ourselves that our community businesses employ many mentally and physically challenged people. Best to err on the side of caution and practice patience and tolerance.

HOWEVER... (haha) I spouted off to my housekeeper what a rotten job he did cleaning (smearing) the windows. We're (he is) touching them up right now. :)

We have to continually remind ourselves that our community businesses employ many mentally and physically challenged people

Unfortunately in areas with higher minimum wage laws you will be seeing less of this. Businesses can't afford to reach out to the disabled and and people with cognitive mental disorders. Also the higher minimum wage can hurt those receiving SSI and welfare assistance. Higher wages can can take people over the income ceilings.

Teens are already being pushed out of the job market by adults taking those jobs.

Cooper8828, Thank you so much for mentioning informed delivery. I had no idea that this service existed. I have constant problems with my mail and I think this will be a helpful tool for me.

I don't make $15 an hour as a substitute teacher.

THAT'S who needs a pay increase. Teachers,social workers, and people who work with and care for young children,the disabled,and the elderly. As it is now, the pay is so low for those caring for the most vulnerable in our world,it is hardly surprising to hear all of these horrible stories of child and elder abuse by their caretakers,and the epidemic of teachers having sexual relationships with students. The pitiful salary these jobs pay hardly attract quality people to do some of the most important jobs in out society. But the doofus at the drive thru wants 15 bucks an hour to roll their eyes at me while they hand me the wrong order. What wrong with this picture?

Reading and teaching the book Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich opened my eyes to the complexity of this issue. A Wal-Mart worker can't afford to buy a shirt at Wal-Mart. Two minimum wage jobs is not enough to live on.

I found Ehrenreich's book fascinating as well and I have nothing but sympathy for workers who are treated terribly and nothing but contempt for the companies that treat their workers like they are not human. Perhaps it is that breakdown in the social contract wherein companies consider employees nothing but moving parts that creates the condition for workers to operate in such a clueless fashion (Bob Sutton at Stanford postulates this with respect to United Airlines), but in the end, workers are not doing themselves any favors by failing to perform properly in their roles.

People are not trained to do customer service today. They are trained to follow a script and do exactly what management tells them to do. So you talk to the manager and it got fixed. Everybody needs a living wage.

Years ago I was at a Hardee's, and ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger, plain. and received a Hamburger, plain. When I went back to complain they said "Well, you asked for it "plain" its plain. A couple of weeks later we went back to the same restaurant, and I had exactly same experience.

Much more recently at several different coffee places when I order my current drink of choice, which is two shots of espresso, and then cold milk to fill the glass, no matter how a phrase the order they never seem to understand. "Cold milk latte" or "Two shots of espresso with cold milk" usually results in a steamed whole milk latte. "Iced latte with no ice", usually just draws a blank stare and requires a minute or so of explanation The best results often come from simply ordering a double espresso in a larger glass, and I can pour the cold milk myself, which has the additional benefit of often costing about $2 less.

I will note that the people manning my post office are neirher teens looking for a first job, nor are disabled. We have wonderful folk bagging groceries and retrieving shopping carts at my local supermarket. My local supermarket makes a point of hiring the less abled, for which I give them kudos. I am glad this supermarket hires those people with mental and physical challenges. All being said... My postal workers fall into neither category, and definitely do far worse jobs.

Way too interested in chit chat than working...

While your request seems simple and I understand your frustration, I'm not sure I understand why that means the employees wouldn't need or deserve a wage that they could actually live on. I'd much rather see someone paid 15.00 an hour (which really isn't that much money) and working then to support them with financial assistance and food stamps.

I think it's unfortunate that jobs which have traditionally been temporary entry level jobs for young people, or part time employment for retired people wanting to keep active are now being filled by folks who have to support families and pay high rents. A failing education system? Social structures crumbling? I don't know, but no one should have to go without a living wage regardless of the work they are doing. And whether they are earning minimum wage or more, there should be an expectation that they DO their jobs.

I agree totally that the people who should be earning more are those who have most often done the jobs considered "women's" work: childcare, elderly care, teachers, etc. That's why the pay is lower, because we don't value and respect "women's work". Maybe someday those attitudes will change.

For years we had no trouble at fast food places but now we rarely go to them. Carl's Jr. had burgers my husband liked, then they were cold along with the fries. Taco Bell was fine until we both got a case of the "runs" after eating take out from there.....

Sign my name to Lukkiirish's post. We have to look further than our outstretched hands regarding many issues.

Yes Scott and also many have to get food assistance. Where do they spend the food assistance? With the store that employs them. So the public is putting money back into the company's pocket like it or not.

I used to get a blueberry muffin at at Dunkin Donuts near work. They charged me 15 cents to split (cut) and toast the muffin. I used to buy Burger King for my young daughters after their Saturday morning dance class, , three orders and they ALWAYS got something wrong. (Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, special orders don't upset us) I guess this sort of thing is one of Murphy's Laws.

I can't imagine that a McDonalds in Puerto Rico would speak anything but Spanish?

I have often gotten frustrated with service at fast food restaurants but I never thought they didn't earn their wage. I just thought they weren't trained well.

I think it's pretty arrogant of any USA citizens to assume that employees of any foreign fast food restaurant would speak anything other than the language of the country.

on the flip side for this thread....one of the top complaints of McDonald's employees is rude customers. Do you qualify?

When employees are paid a higher wage, then the company values them more, leading to less turnover, and better training. The OP was a result of very poor training, IMO.

sushipup1.....I agree!

In retrospect, I DO believe we should pay people a higher min. wage. Of course if an employee does a poor job, he should be retrained, told about the problem and let go if he can't catch on.

McDonalds has thousands of safe houses, does TONS of charity work when their employees are themselves a charity case. They need to look out for their own 1st.

I've always noticed that Chic-fil-a always has polite efficient staff. Other places not so much.

And I agree these places are not meant to be careers. I know there are people with families on fixed incomes, but they are the ones qualifying for free schooling. So take advantage and make a change. When I went to school (trade) I was one of 2 people that did not get any assistance. I had to take out two loans. My single mom made too much. The kids that got their school for free didn't always take it seriously and some even just stopped showing up. So I don't know. More and more people want something for nothing. And the more you give them the less they want to earn it.

Ok the cost of living has gone up but pay has stayed the same. But if they start increasing everyone things will go up even more. And how is it fair for fast food workers to get the same pay or maybe even more as say an EMS worker? How do you compare making a burger to helping save someone's life?

In California, In-n-Out Burger, and here in the East, Shake Shake both pay better wages, so the staff is quite good. Same for Costco, they pay well and have little employee turnover. Again, nice employees.

I don't understand the title of your post....

How is this proof of how much they don't "need"???

Perhaps she meant "deserve" or "earn"