The Dos:

1. Walk Your Motorcycle through the Drive-Thru.

Motorcycles and other very noisy vehicles (like trucks) make it difficult for us to do our job right. Even if you order loud enough to over come the sound of your engine, remember that someone is being paid minimum wage to have their eardrums blown out by your machine.

2. Treat employees like people.

It's a weird concept, but I am a human with a life ourside. I'm really just here so I can go out on the weekends.

3. Know what you want before you order.

While I am paid by the hour, I'm expected to be doing something constantly. While you might think it's rude for me to walk away, my manager thinks it rude that she had to refill my ice for me.

4. Ignore me while I'm on break.

I'm glad you're having a good time and are enjoying your meal, but please. If I'm pulling a triple, the fact that ketchup is out is on the bottom of my priority list.

5. Say "thank you."

See #2.

6. Be patient with trainees.

They're learning how to work a crappy job. Don't be mean to them, they might be trying as hard as they can. They might be counting down the minutes until their manager leaves. Either way, play nice.

7. Give good feedback.

A lot of places rank their employees for raises based on customer feed back. While I know it may seem like no big deal, you can probably log online and tell yourself that you're being productive by doing it. There have been two good responses all summer in my restaurant. They are a huge deal and do not go unappreciated.

8. Tell us if you're new to the restaurant.

We can tell you what's popular and what's not. We can make sure to explain what type of meal you would like based on any criteria you have. It's exciting for us to know that more people are coming into the store.

The Don'ts:

1. Let your passenger order.

I'm very sorry, but I cannot take your order in the drive thru if I cannot hear it. So yes, I will be confused as hell when you roll up and ask what your total was when I didn't give you any affirmation that I knew you existed.

2. Order something new without asking questions...then get mad when it's not what you expected.

If you don't know what you want or what you're getting, ASK. It's literally our jobs to help you. However, don't order a Chicken Cordon Blue and then get mad when it had ham on it.

3. Try to get to me during rush hours.

I love talking to the customers, especially the regulars, but if you order between 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., keep moving along, buster.

4. Demand to see the manager all the time.

After two years of dedicated Red Hat Service, I can do basically anything at the store. There are very few situations in which you would need to see the manager and I know when those are. The simple fact is that managers are busy and trying to catch a minute of their time can be tricky and slows down the entire store.

5. Argue about products with me.

Believe me, I know what comes on our sandwiches because I've clocked hundreds of hours making them. Restaurants rebrand themselves all the time to keep things new and fresh so we may still have what you order, but we just call it something different. Just because we don't have a "Giant" doesn't mean I can't give you the same sandwich and send you on your merry way.

Also, sometimes we describe things how they taste, instead of how they're named. While I can't hand you a packet of sauce that says "Hot," I'll drop some Horsey and Buffalo in your bag that'll really give you a kick in the pants.

6. Honk in the drive-thru.

Believe me, I want you gone more than you do. I haven't had a sip of water in three hours.

7. Give me your divided attention.

Please, for the love of God, get off your phone. Stop fiddling with anything. Can I have your attention for 300 seconds? Because that's all I need. Give me 300 seconds of your solidified, undivided attention, and I promise you will have a positive experience.

Most owners of franchises (the specific fast food place you're in) have many locations. Therefore, the only way to understand how an employee is acclimating to the job is by service time. They don't know if there was another customer that interrupted you, they don't know a mop bucket tipped over, nothing. In the end, service times are all we have to strive for. If we have to wait for your Instafeed to refresh, someone could get passed up on a raise for it.

8. Hit on me.

Just, please. I know I don't look cute in an apron and work pants.

9. Correct me if I upsized you.

If you're an extraordinary customer, I believe you should be rewarded for that just the same as employees are awarded for doing outstanding things. But, play it cool man. Check your receipt, if I charged you incorrectly, I will refund you (a non-necessary manager task ) but, if you were patient and used those manners your parents taught you...I have no problem giving you a medium drink instead. Take it!

10. Lie to get free food.

It's actually a bigger deal than you think. I may have made 400 sandwiches in this shift, but I remember making yours because it didn't have mayo and I remember that one because they wanted extra onions. And I love onions. While the managers may keep it cool over the phone, someone, even if they did nothing wrong, will get yelled at...because you're selfish.