Stuart was running errands in his 14 y.o. beater p.o.s. dodge pick up and was hungry,

He had not had a filet O Fish in many years, he ordered two of them and a large french fry.

The lady at the window asked for two dollars and change

Stuart told her that she was mistaken, he was told $7 and change at the order speaker.

She told Stuart that the previous customer had put $5.00 twords his lunch meal bill.

Well Stuart was confused at first,
but wanted to continue the spirit of good will, so he looked in his rear view mirror ,

The next customer,behind him was in a 2020 Escalade.

Stuart paused ,
Does he pay a portion of the bill for the lady in the $80,000.00 truck or just be happy for her?

What would you do.

Stuart says, “...and the lady behind me offered to pay the rest of my tab.....oh, could you add a couple of quarter pounders to it?”

Sounds like Stuart didn't need the $5 anymore than the lady behind him does, but he got it anyways. So what does the value of her car have to do with any of it?

I accept the gracious gift from the car in front of me with a heartfelt thank you and a smile and move on.

If there is an hours, days even, and thousands of cars continuation of this modern, "look at how virtuous I am" fad happening when I should happen to pull up to a drive thru, you can be guaranteed it will immediately come to end at my Jeep's window.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
So what does the value of her car have to do with any of it?

Yep.

The mistake was looking in the rear window.

For all Stuart knows, that driver, having gotten $5 from Stuart in the preceding car, might have then gotten into the spirit and paid $10 each for the five following her. But, Stuart'll never know.

As far as the OP's point, I don't think the value of the car behind you matters. They might be a nanny driving the children's parent's vehicle and the nanny may barely be making much above minimum wage. Around here nannies don't make much money, but they typically get a free place to live (e.g. family's home has a detached garage which has a garage apartment) and a free vehicle to drive (i.e. a vehicle much safer than something someone in their 20s would own).

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
... this modern, "look at how virtuous I am" fad ...

It's not just that. 2020 is boring with all of the closures and people are looking for ways to entertain themselves. I don't participate, but as long as they don't cause a traffic jam (like those GD parades that idiots keep dreaming up idiotic excuses for) then more power to them.

That was a good L. Made me chuckle this am. That is all. Enjoy your day.

And what McD's window attendant wouldn't have just stuck the $5 in their pocket, and charged Stuart full price? Every time I hear a story about somebody "paying ahead" I have to question it. I suspect most staffers self-justify, e.g. "what a generous tip!" but if this isn't stealing, what is it?

I pay my balance and be on my way. Fiancé was recently in a drive thru at Dunks. Line was long and moving very slowly. She finally got to the window and was told the car ahead of her paid her bill. It was about $2.50. Clerk told her it’s been going on for an hour. Okay she couldn’t be the person to break the chain so she paid for car behind her and it was over $12. So people are paying much more or less for no reason and everyone is delayed. Fiancé was actually late for an appointment because of it. Merry Christmas I guess.

Multiple times at 2 different McDonalds, someone at the drive through has paid for my order. It is generally just coffee but a very kind deed. Just yesterday morning, a Mustang in front of me with 2 young fellas in it. I honestly dont know who paid but 1 cup is $1.47 and I always mix and match so 2 for $2.12. Someone paid for my order again. Several times this has happened. I think people are just being kind due to the season and I am thankful. Oh and I've been givin 3 $25.00 gift cards for Micky Ds...

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
I pay my balance and be on my way. Fiancé was recently in a drive thru at Dunks. Line was long and moving very slowly. She finally got to the window and was told the car ahead of her paid her bill. It was about $2.50. Clerk told her it’s been going on for an hour. Okay she couldn’t be the person to break the chain so she paid for car behind her and it was over $12. So people are paying much more or less for no reason and everyone is delayed. Fiancé was actually late for an appointment because of it. Merry Christmas I guess.

Not sure how everyone paying for the car behind them made her late. Sounds like she was late because she decided to stop for a drink.

quote:

Originally posted by 1967Goat:

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
I pay my balance and be on my way. Fiancé was recently in a drive thru at Dunks. Line was long and moving very slowly. She finally got to the window and was told the car ahead of her paid her bill. It was about $2.50. Clerk told her it’s been going on for an hour. Okay she couldn’t be the person to break the chain so she paid for car behind her and it was over $12. So people are paying much more or less for no reason and everyone is delayed. Fiancé was actually late for an appointment because of it. Merry Christmas I guess.

Not sure how everyone paying for the car behind them made her late. Sounds like she was late because she decided to stop for a drink.

Ahh you clearly are not familiar with Dunkin Donuts drive thru. Average transaction time is like 12 seconds. They hand you food/drink, scan your app and off you go. A full line can be cleared in like 10 minutes. She was in line for over 40 minutes as the clerk had to explain to each car what was going on and then adjust the bill for the next car once the driver agreed. People getting coffee at dunkin are well aware of the usual time in line. Once you are in line you can’t get out.

And when Stuart opened the bag upon arriving at his destination, he found they gave him the wrong order. And it was cold too.

What? At a gut bomb palace for 'food'? The 'Cadi' couldn't afford a real meal? WOW!

Then Vinnie, Stuart's brother, went through the line and told the speaker he'd like to pay for the car behind him. When he got to the window he demanded both meals as he had paid for them.

I have done it one time. Late night and driving 500 miles home from remote site work. Pulled into a Popeyes about closing time. As I pulled up to pay, I saw a Cop pull up behind me ordering. It was about a $3 order. I asked the lady to toss in a couple of pies.

Besides, If he ran me and got a hit on me while sitting there, he would have to decide to get his food or chase me down.

Coffee and Donuts works like Chaff and Flares...

I take the good fortune and keep looking out for #1.
I pay my own way and expect others to do the same. If gifting your money to random strangers makes you feel like a better person then I respect your freedom to choose that action but I don't participate.

What would I do? The same thing I did the one time it happened.

No thanks, I'll pay in full... pass it to the next car.

You don't have to play, yet you don't break their feel good game either.

So....many....sour...assholes...

The Scrooge is strong in this thread...