This Morning at Dunkin'

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.