Would you like fries with that?

My most recent example of someone talking to me without engaging their brain, happened to me in an almost identical fashion, twice within a month.

A certain hamburger chain had a push on their cafe coffees and got me hooked on mochas, with their short-lived but extremely effective 'Free Mocha Mondays'.

I frequent at least three different 'cafes' on my rounds about town. The incident in question happened in two different places, so it is a more widespread training issue than just a one off type of occurrence.

The powers that be, in this identity crisis franchise, have gone to the extent of posting instructions on the drive-through menu to inform you of your choices and make your coffee ordering experience simple and enjoyable.

Anyway, the instructions clearly run you through the decision making process and tell you how to present this information to the staff. You state the size of your drink; the type of drink and whether it is hot or cold; your milk preference and whether you need to add a flavored syrup.

I'm always very concise. Firstly, I like to be helpful, but, being a 'foreigner' or 'not from around these parts,' I aim to minimize or avoid any more confusion than I already create with my accent. (Ref. other postings)

I usually order the coffee and add, 'That will be all thank you.' Even so, they usually all still ask me, 'Anything else?' so I repeat myself. (I could just wait for them to ask the question before I make that summarizing statement, but I live in hope that, one day, someone will actually listen and respond accordingly, instead of just talking at me; but, that is another matter.)

On the two occasions mentioned, I went through the usual procedure outlined above and was then hit with this show-stopper of a question: 'Would you like fries with that?'

'Would you like fries with that?'

Would I like fries with that? Umm ... What?

I wanted to ask, 'Would you like fries with your coffee?' What kind of combination is that?

The bizarreness of my new coffee ordering experience here is not just limited to the above. One day at the drive-through, I ordered a large hot mocha and, instead, received a small iced mocha.

On another occasion, I asked for a plain latte with no syrup and received one with hazelnut syrup. As there were no other vehicles around or other coffee orders in process, I know they just totally mucked it up, versus giving me someone else's drink.

The final insult came one day when I decided to go into the restaurant, order face to face and minimize the potential for mistakes. My large hot mocha, non-fat came out as a small black coffee. Discouraged. I decided not to say anything and just drink the damn thing.