Taco Time
I didn’t bring my lunch to work yesterday, so Jon S. and I headed to Taco Time for lunch. For those who don’t know Jon very well, he takes forever make any decision at a restaurant (unless it’s Azteca). What I didn’t expect, was for Taco Time to put the guy who doesn’t understand English very well as the person taking orders at the drive through.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no problems with immigrants, or anyone who doesn’t know English (or, is learning it). However, to put this person at the drive-through window is a little perplexing to me.
So, I pull up to the drive through, and the conversation went as follows:
Employee> Welcome to Taco Time, how can I help [you]?
Me> Can I have a few minutes to look at the menu?
Employee> *few seconds of dead space* Welcome to Taco Time, how can I help [you]?
Me> Can you give me a couple minutes to look at the menu, please?
Employee> *few seconds of dead space* Can you give me a minute?
At this point, Shen and I burst into laughter. I was asking him for a minute of time, then he turns around and asks me the exact same question. Then a few seconds later. Someone new comes on the headset and says:
New Employee> Welcome to Taco Time, can I take you order?
Me> Hi, can I please look at the menu before I order?
New Employee>Sure, let me know when you’re ready.
I pull up to the window to pay, and the original employee who I was talking to took my money. Then, he asked the dreaded question:
Employee>Hot Sauce?
Me> Yes, can you give me a whole bunch?
Employee> *Blank Stare* How many?
Me> Many
Employee> *Blank Stare* What?
Me> A lot.
Employee> *head nod*
This definitely is up there on my scale with funny bad drive through experiences. They got my order correct, and he didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just a little frustrating to have so much difficulty ordering food.
With that said, just think of all the people who speak a different language in this country, and imagine how hard it must be to go through things like this on a daily basis. That must be hard for them. Everything from going to the grocery store, to buying movie tickets is going to be a hassle.
