Comment on Speaking English.....

So once upon a time I was thinking about going off Diet Coke-frills I was totally going too, but I decided it was ok to drink but just at work. Then McDonald's came out with this fantabulous summer promotion where you could get large drinks for only $1. The reason I support this is two-fold: it's cheaper than what I pay at work (the cafeteria told us that when they raised their drink prices it was ok because they were still cheaper than anywhere else you could buy drinks-ha!) and Diet Coke from McDonald's is SO MUCH BETTER than DC from the cafeteria at my POB. They need to clean their taps because it's not tasting so good. I need to feel the burn and have my eyes water upon drinking-and it's not happening right now.

Another positive aspect McDonald's $1 drink is that they have styrofoam cups for their sweet tea. Now I learned from my mom when I was in Florida that you can request the sweet tea cups for the diet coke. Call me crazy, blame me for being the cause of increased landfills, but I firmly believe diet coke tastes better in a styrofoam cup. Add balled ice and you've got the nectar of the gods.

Now it may sound like requesting the styrofoam cup would be simple-I had no problems doing this in Pocatello or Florida-but in Draper, UT it's like I'm asking for world peace. The problem you may ask? My local McDonald's is full of employees who "no speaka da English"** or are fearful of handing out the styrofoam cups. I shall illustrate my experiences ordering the styrofoam cup in various scenarios:

Scenario #1-I wait in the horrendously long line (it's as if the McDonald's on 123rd South puts catnip in their food because the line is always SO LONG) and pull up to order, "Can I get a large diet coke in a styrofoam cup?" McDonald's Employee, "Um......I'm going to have to check with my manager. Me, "Ummmm.....ok". I get my styrofoam cup but feel like I got away with something I shouldn't have.

Scenario #2-It's lunch time and they've got a ESL (English as a Second Language) employee outside helping expedite orders. Me, "Can I get a large diet coke in a styrofoam cup?" Employee, "..........Large diet coke and chicken?" Me, "No, large diet coke in a styrofoam cup". Employee, "No entiendo" (aka "I don't understand" in Spanish-yes, that's right-I am now speaking Spanish in my own country*) Me,"sty-ro-foam cup-the cups you use for sweet tea". Employee, smiling, "yes, yes ok". I pull forward and get a diet coke in a regular cup. Fortunately for the employee I had just come from the temple and consciously made the decision to not make a scene.

Scenario # 510 (not really but I had a few more mishaps before finally........
Me, "Can I get a large diet coke in a styrofoam up?" Employee, "Oh, you mean the cups we use for the sweet tea?" Me, "Yes, that's exactly what I mean-bless you for understanding, when do you usually work? Can I name my first-born after you?"

Ok, so I may have exaggerated that last part-but it was as if the heavens opened and angels sang as I was handed my diet coke without incident.

The moral of the story-it's a good thing I don't drink alcohol or I would surely be an alcoholic if the ease with which I crave diet coke is any indication. And I appreciate fast-food employees being able to cater to my whims-it may be cheap food but customer service can make you or break you.

**I'm not prejudiced against those who come to America looking for opportunites to make a better life for their families. America is a haven for those looking for peace and prosperity (or at least it's supposed to be). However-if you are going to be here I think English should be learned. I also think you should go through the proper steps to become a citizen. I also think that if people aren't here legally they shouldn't have immediate rights to our government paying for their healthcare. The point is-if I move to another country I wouldn't expect to be there for years and not be able to speak the language. Not trying to be offensive about it all-it's just my opinion afterall-and my blog :)