Don’t Forgive the Freeloaders

CINDY LUO
Staff Writer

Imagine a customer holding a tray full of food, seeking a seat to settle himself into during the intense lunchtime rush at a fast food restaurant. Now imagine the scene in front of him is filled with narrow booths and tables composed of elders chatting and socializing, who have been splitting a small packet of french fries and drinking a medium cup of coffee since 7 a.m. in the morning.

This scenario applies to McDonald’s and some other fast food places all over the country, which usually results in annoyed customers and frustrated but helpless staff. Recently, a conflict arose between a group of elders and the management at a McDonald’s in Flushing, Queens, New York City. The general manager called the police after the group refused to budge and other customers asked for refunds because there was nowhere to sit.

Although the service industry has the famous “customer first” motto, it is not always applicable to restaurants like McDonald’s that rely on a fast turnover of tables and fast service because of their nature – a “fast” food restaurant. The store has the right to remove loiterers when facing a shortage of seats for those customers who actually want to finish their meal swiftly. It is understandable that elders feel a sense of belonging by gathering together and hanging out in a public place, but a single purchase is absolutely not a permission for endless sitting.

The plentiful tables, free Wi-Fi, nice environment and familiar atmosphere of McDonald’s is not provided for people to indefinitely extend the time they spend in there. Customers, no matter what age, should have more self-discipline and should be more sensitive to the store’s needs and more cooperative with the store’s demand.