Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Subway sandwich made me cry once

Do you remember the first time someone asked for the last four digits of your social security number? If you are like me you did not just blurt it out immediately, you had to go through the whole thing. 449-60-2978. That's not my real SS#. I made that one up. Don't bother trying to steal my identity. Do you know how they come up with that number? The first three are area numbers. It depends on where you got your SS card. The next two numbers are group numbers. They are kind of random and just break things up. The last four are serial numbers. They just start at one and keep going. At least that is what I just read on wikipedia. My point is, it probably took you several times of being asked for the last four digits of you social security number to be able to just blurt it out without having to go through the whole thing.

Which brings me to Subway. I have a problem with the way they have things set up. I went in on a lovely day to pick up lunch for me and some friends. I was in a great mood. This particular Subway was a bit busy that day. I moved on down the line and when it was my turn I gave my order. One footlong turkey and bacon with extra mayo and everything, one 6" teriyaki chicken warm with dressing, lettuce, cucumber, green pepper, tomato, a 6" ham and cheese with everything but hot peppers. What kind of bread? Bread? Ah, white. He cuts and shoves it down to the next person. She asks me what kind of meat. Ah, Turkey and bacon. While she slaps that on, guy number one repeats what kind of bread? White, all of them white. He cuts and shoves. Meanwhile, girl two has the new white bread and asks what kind of meat. Um, the first was turkey and bacon the second is teriyaki chicken. Which one is this? Two. So far so good. Then guy three, who is now holding sandwich one asks what do you want on the turkey and bacon. Everything. Not bad. I am doing okay. Lady number two now has the bread for sandwich number three. What kind of meat? Okay so one was turkey and bacon, two was teriyaki chicken..... She interrupts me because quite a line is now forming behind me. I just need to know what you want on this one. But I am just not ready to blurt out, 2978. That is not how I rehearsed it in my head so that I would not forget. I rehearsed, One footlong turkey and bacon with extra mayo and everything, one 6" teriyaki chickien warm with dressing, lettuce, cucumber, green pepper, tomato, a 6" ham and cheese with everything but hot peppers. Nonetheless, I now silently run through the order in my head until I get to the part she wants and blurt out, ham. Guy three is now interested in what to put on sandwich two. Girl two wants to know what kind of cheese. American, or white whichever is easiest. But now, I have just remembered that sandwich one is supposed to have extra mayo. And he has already wrapped that one. I tell him anyway. Guy four steps in. He is the cash register guy. He hastily unwraps and mayo's sandwich one. Mr. Three is still asking about sandwich two. I have learned, I am silently going through my list 'til I get to his part, when lady two asks what do you want on the ham. I hold up a finger to silently tell her just a minute and blurt out guy three's necessary info, and then turn to girl three to ask what info she needs when guy four at the cash register is interested in what kind of sandwiches I am getting so he can ring it up before it is made. I don't even know what sandwich girl two is working on, and she is really agitated. Guy one has cut another piece of 6" white bread and wants to know what kind of meat I want. I am confused after giving the whole order to cash register guy and tell him ham and cheese. Girl two wants to know what veggies. Everything but hot peppers. Anyway, I ended up with four sandwiches instead of three, I wasn't sure what was in any of them, the staff was irritated with me, the line was piling up, and I was willing to buy the mystery sandwich just to get out of there.

Why can't they have an order sheet that moves along with the sandwich so you don't have four people asking you what to put on the sandwich all at the same time? It is just not nice. No other sandwich places do it that way and with good reason. I love their sandwiches, but that system is just enough to drive me crazy.

When you are feeling stupid, just say to yourself, "There are other things that I am good at, this just isn't one of them." I am not a great multi-tasker. I am easily distracted. And my memory is not so good. If you want a sandwich from Subway, you are going to have to get it yourself. I am not going to order for you. It was embarrassing wiping that tear from my face in front the cashier guy.

Would you like to share some of your own humorous shortcomings? I wish you would. It would make all us schlepps out here feel so much better to read about it. I wish this is the only embarrassing moment I have to share, but there are so many more available I will have to save them for future blogging days so as not to overwhelm you all.

14 comments:

Beeswax said...

I'd never thought of it, but WHY do they do it that way? So inefficient. And they are doing this all over the nation, maybe the world!

Michelle said...

Sherri, you write so well that I could almost hear your voice coming out of the computer telling me this story! I miss your fun sense of humor and attitude about life. You are one crazy, amazing lady. :)

I don't have my own blog yet, but my extended family has one that I contribute to, so if you want to see photos of Megan, you can look there. She is almost five--can you believe that? Your kids are so grown up! Crazy.

Glad to be back in touch! Say hi to Bob (oops, I mean Bishop, right?) for us!
Michelle Blake

Carole said...

This is exactly how I feel about Chipotle....which is a restaurant we absolutely love. When we go in as a family of seven, it is a bit overwhelming trying to get everyone's burritos just right and the workers look at me like, "Great....a newbie!" Then when you get to the cash register and your burritos are wrapped in foil, they point to each one wanting to know what kind of burrito each is!! I DON'T KNOW.... shouldn't YOU know?!?!? Don't even get me started about adding guacamole for an extra $1.50! I could buy three avacados for that price.

Pancake said...

I never thought of it like that! They really do need to have a better system... works great for one , but not for many!

Brittany said...

Ah, I love your blog and I think your story is hilarious. I must have gotten my emotions from you because I would have been wiping away tears too. People always say in sacrament "Sorry I'm so emotional, I'm pregnant." and I think OH NO I am already emotional, when I'm pregnant, I will be a nervous reck!

The Wolford Pack (Jen) said...

I also enjoyed reading your post....very much! I will remember never to order more than my own sandwhich from Subway. They do have delicious sandwiches though. Mmmm...

kitchenditcher said...

Aren't some days just like this? This gave me a good chuckle for the day! But I've got to go...I'm starving. And I'm craving a footlong Spicy Italian sandwich on honey oat bread with mayo, lettuce, olives............

erin said...

I loved your experience at Subway. It was great how you compared it to our Social Security numbers...to funny.
So, an embarassing moment I had recently, I thought it was embarassing.
I had signed Logan up for a Sports Mania class and at the beginning of each class we have to write their names on a name tag. Well, I go to the counter to get Logan's name tag. Start writing his name with a marker/pen and the darn pen just wasn't working. I tried it again, it didn't work. So, I asked the desk Lady if she had something else to write with that the pen wasn't working. She said she did have another pen, but if I would write on the acutal name tag part, the pen would work. Yep, I was trying to write Logan's name on the paper that you stick the name tag on. I am a nerd! I was embaressed, but tried laughing it off.

The Wolford Pack (Jen) said...

I once wanted to get a hot dog at a gas station and couldn't find the hot dog buns so I went to ask the cashier where he kept his buns and he just looked at me almost shocked that I'd even ask such a question. He then tried to be really clever and totally embarrass me in the process by pointing to his behind and saying, "I keep mine here but the gas station keeps theirs under the counter."

cookingsherri said...

Erin and Jen, I feel so much better, thank you!

Lisa Loo said...

My favorite is when you are in the checkout at the grocery store and your "feminine hygiene products" don't scan and the kid says over the loudspeaker--price check on Stayfree Maxi-no Ultra Maxi pads--pause, wait for it--with WINGS. Its funny how no one wants to look at the woman who is holding up the line waiting for a price check on pads..........
It was great to see you on my blog!

Lisa Loo said...

I hope its okay I putting a link to your blog in my stalking category

cookingsherri said...

Lisa - thanks for stopping by!

Once when I was 16 I had to buy "emergency" supplies on my break from work and I was so nervous about it that I am pretty sure they thought I was a shoplifter!LOL

Monica said...

Ha Ha Ha! They definitely need to remedy that problem! Although it gave me a great laugh!