After dropping my granddaughter off at her job at 9 AM, I had
30 minutes to kill before my physical therapy appointment. I made a quick stop at Staples, and then
decided to go to Dunkin Donuts as I had left the house quickly and had not had time
for coffee.
I usually go inside but decided to go to the drive-up. I opened my window and spoke clearly toward
the intercom.
“I would like a medium decaf coffee with cream and a
headlight.” Headlight donuts are my
favorite.
The voice in the box replied, “I didn’t understand you.”
Me: (voice raised
slightly) “A medium decaf with cream and
a headlight.”
The voice: “I still can’t
hear you.”
Me: (somewhat louder) “Medium decaf with cream and a headlight.”
Voice: “What size was
that?”
Me: (loudly) “Medium”
Voice: “I am having
trouble understanding you.”
Me: “OK…now I am going
to shout. A medium decaf with cream and
a headlight.” (As loud as possible)
Voice: “Does that
complete your order?”
Me: “Yes”
Voice: “Pull up to the
window for your total.”
At this point, I am pretty sure she still hasn’t got it. She did not repeat the order back to me, and
she didn’t give me the amount, which they always seem to do.
I pulled up to the window.
Two employees were wearing headsets, so I didn’t know which one I had
spoken with. They were talking to each
other and looking at a coffee cup which seemed to be the object of the
discussion.
Employee 1 (to me): “Was
that a glazed donut?”
Me: (figuring the whole order was in doubt) “I want a medium
decaf with cream and a headlight.”
Employee 2: “Oh, we’ve got it.
We’ve got it right here.” She
hands me the bag and cup. “You don’t owe
anything. The customer in the car ahead
of you heard you screaming and paid for your order.”
I’m thinking, “Oh, great.
This anonymous person thinks I am a crazed whacko having a bad day.”
Employee 2 nods toward Employee 1: “She’s hard of hearing.”
Me: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you, but I kept
raising my voice and you still couldn’t hear me”
Employee 1: “It’s OK…it’s
OK.”
So, I’m driving away pondering, “Why would Dunkin put an
employee on the drive-up window who has a hearing problem? Why would the employee not admit she has a
hearing problem and can’t adequately do that job?
AND
Is there a person driving around town thinking they have done
a kindness to a poor unbalanced soul (me) who screams at Dunkin employees?
I got to my physical therapy appointment and the young man who
gets me started on the exercise bike asked me how things were going. I told him this story. Another patient in hearing distance cracked
up laughing and said, “Oh, that is hilarious!”
I’m glad someone found it amusing.
