Tuesday, April 01, 2008

• my Harlem McDonald's experience:

  because i am a safe driver, today i had to go to the DMV in order to schedule a hearing for the speeding and unsafe lane change tickets i got a few weeks ago.  clearly i'm innocent of both charges, but that is another issue.

  the DMV is located at 125th street and Lexington, just a couple of streets down from Malcolm X blvd, in the heart of Harlem.

  before taking the train back to my apartment, i decided to get a quick burger and coffee.  there weren't any real lines at the counter, just a gaggle of customers standing around, so i just kinda stood around hoping to catch a cashier's eye.

  Cashier:  Who's next?  WHO'S NEXT?!  Let's go people ... hello ...??

  there were like 6 people kinda/not-really in line between me and the cashier, so i didn't immediately move towards her to order, but after a moment i decide to take advantange and zig-zag'd my way over.

  Cashier:  Yeah?  Sir?

  Me:  Can I have a hamburger and medium coffee please?

  Cashier:  That's it?  <'tap tap tap' of the ordering console>

  Me:  Yup.

  after she's done getting my order in, she puts together someone else's order and hands it to her.

  Girl:  Can I have honey mustard?

  Cashier:  Girl, there ain't no honey mustard. 

  the cashier then walks away without any further explanation or offer of a different sauce to the poor girl, who looks into her bag with a sad face then slowly slinks away ...

  after doing some other things, the cashier prepares my coffee and grabs some creamer and puts it on the counter.  the cashier hadn't asked me if i wanted sweetener, and knowing there are several choices, i say -

  Me:  Can I have two Splenda please?

  Cashier:  Are you eating here? <with an obviously annoyed look on her face>

  Me:  ... Yes ...

  Cashier:  You want to chill out?  Relax for a second and let me do my job?

  Me:  ... ?

  She puts the coffee/splenda/creamer on a tray, then gets my hamburger and tosses it down.

  Cashier:  Take your food, go sit down and eat, Sir.

  Me: ...

   

  Service at it's very best.

  • 4:33 PM
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