The culture of drive thru's

Drive Up ATM

Drive Thru Pharmacy

Drive Thru Starbucks

Drive Thru Mac

One of the first things I noticed when I got to the US, was the huge amount of drive thru's. In Europe you have a MacDonalds drive thru, and maybe in some occasions the Burger King as well. But that's it. Here in the US you not only can stay on your lazy butt in your car and order food at the before-mentioned fast food chains, but also at banks, pharmacies, Starbucks and...the liquor store.

The pharmacy I think is a strange - but in a way makes sense - one. When you are too ashamed of your physical pains you can just stay in your car, roll the window down just far enough to be able to talk, explain your problems, give your credit card, and be done with it. Without the chance of bumping into your nosy neighbor seeing your face turn red and knowing all about your strange itches. What an invention.

The other one I found strangely inventive is the drive-up ATM at the banks. I thought at first it was only meant simply to get lazy money, but it is mainly because people just feel safer when staying in their cars. You know, in case you win the lottery or did well in Vegas (like that ever happens) and you need to feel safe and anonymous when depositing the money. Or you want to withdraw your well-earned salary, to lazily spend it.

For example at a more obvious one: Starbucks. Although obvious not really, unless you arrive in the middle of the night. Because the drive thru waiting lines are so long, you are really ten times faster when you just park your car and go inside to order coffee. But then, again, you can run into your other nosy neighbor and of course you don't want that. Just imagine him seeing you order a skinny latte...

Another strange one in the food section is Sonic. This is not really a drive thru, but more like a drive-in (does that count?). You actually park your car, push a button, order food and eat you food in your car. Joy. Oh, and the waiters move around on roller skates. Because, duh...

The last one worth mentioning is the drive thru liquor store (I am seriously not kidding). Like, what?! You are not even allowed to have anything alcoholic in the drivers compartment of your vehicle. So how on earth can you have a drive thru liquor store? Gotta check that out...

In the category 'oh that actually makes sense' (yes, it exists), some auto repair shops have a drive thru oil change option. Guess that is the only one that I think is truly justified. I mean, this one actually has to do with a car! Say no more.

All together, these drive thru's can be convenient, greatly anonymous and safe. They might be a little strange sometimes to someone from Europe and they definitely will not help you loose weight. But for a country that is simply made for cars, it is a very logic and necessary thing.

Now it's about time for the Walmart drive thru to happen, now THAT would make sense...!