Pay it forward nonsense?

[wazup]

Have you ever been caught in one of these? Seems to happen this time of year. I read about a guy going through the McDonald's drive through, his order was coffee and muffin paid for previously and he was expected to pay 24$ for the next one.

He said fu and got his free stuff and left, good on him. I'd have done the same. Why do people feel the need to start this nonsense, have you started one or been caught in one. I would pay if it was the same or less than mine I guess.

 

[bazokajoe]

Stupidest idea ever.

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

Have you ever been caught in one of these? Seems to happen this time of year. I read about a guy going through the McDonald's drive through, his order was coffee and muffin paid for previously and he was expected to pay 24$ for the next one.

He said fu and got his free stuff and left, good on him. I'd have done the same. Why do people feel the need to start this nonsense, have you started one or been caught in one. I would pay if it was the same or less than mine I guess.

I completely agree. I've had this happen to me twice at Tims drive-thrus and it makes me feel as awkward as hell. I don't want someone else paying for my order and I don't want to pay for someone else's.

 

[wazup]

These places shouldn't allow it, just some guy wanting to be a big shot. I doubt women start them.

 

[Fun For All]

These places shouldn't allow it, just some guy wanting to be a big shot. I doubt women start them.

I agree, the drive-thru shouldn't allow it.

 

[explorerzip]

Why do people give to charity or volunteer or do random nice things to others? Because they want to. If you don't want to do continue the chain then don't. You're at the drive through so the next car will never know any better.

 

[Valcazar]

I have never seen it as "you pay the next person in line".
I have seen it as "you pay for someone" though. There is a place in Montreal that leaves it open if you want to buy a basic thing for someone in the future. (Like a burger.) People who don't have cash can get one that was prepaid. But it isn't a "pass it down the line" thing.

 

[bazokajoe]

Why do people give to charity or volunteer or do random nice things to others? Because they want to. If you don't want to do continue the chain then don't. You're at the drive through so the next car will never know any better.

There is a big difference between volunteering to give a donation and being asked to pay for some other persons food.

 

[Akila Besos]

I have done it before and honestly it feels good to do something like that

I have paid for a single moms grocery bill before because it was the right thing to do

I honestly like the whole pay it forward notion

 

[explorerzip]

There is a big difference between volunteering to give a donation and being asked to pay for some other persons food.

Who exactly asked or expected that you pay for someone else's food in this scenario? Did the person in front stop the car, walk to your car and made sure that you paid for the next person's order? Did the cashier at the window ask? Was there a sign at the restaurant asking you to do that?

I honestly don't get why anyone in the drive-thru or even the restaurant would feel awkward about this. You're not going to see these people ever again so who cares what they think about you.

The OP asked why do people feel the need to start these things. The answer again is because they want to. There isn't any more explanation or justification needed. If you don't want to participate then don't. Same thing as if you come across the Legion selling poppies or the Salvation Army at the mall (when you could go to do the mall) or even a homeless person on the street. If you don't want to give then don't.

Nobody cares if you do or don't.

 

[bazokajoe]

Who exactly asked or expected that you pay for someone else's food in this scenario? Did the person in front stop the car, walk to your car and made sure that you paid for the next person's order? Did the cashier at the window ask? Was there a sign at the restaurant asking you to do that?

I honestly don't get why anyone in the drive-thru or even the restaurant would feel awkward about this. You're not going to see these people ever again so who cares what they think about you.

The OP asked why do people feel the need to start these things. The answer again is because they want to. There isn't any more explanation or justification needed. If you don't want to participate then don't. Same thing as if you come across the Legion selling poppies or the Salvation Army at the mall (when you could go to do the mall) or even a homeless person on the street. If you don't want to give then don't.

Nobody cares if you do or don't.

The cashier at the window. Did you not read the OP's post?

 

[dockyada]

I read about a guy...

He read about a guy. Endless blah blah and conjecture follows.

The world has many problems. Someone anonymously paying for your lunch isn't one of them.

 

[malata]

santa paid for my hour session. me paid for the next guy's double time

 

[explorerzip]

The cashier at the window. Did you not read the OP's post?

Apparently, you didn't read it because he didn't say anything about the cashier at the window. For arguments sake, let's say the cashier did in fact ask people to pay for the next one's order. That still does not change the fact that you're not obligated to do it and they cannot force you. Here's yet another example. Cashiers ask all the time if you would like to donate to X charity. You don't have to do it and nobody would think less of you if you chose not to do it.

 

[superstar_88]

I have never seen it as "you pay the next person in line".
I have seen it as "you pay for someone" though. There is a place in Montreal that leaves it open if you want to buy a basic thing for someone in the future. (Like a burger.) People who don't have cash can get one that was prepaid. But it isn't a "pass it down the line" thing.

I'll walk into a burgar joint next time and ask if someone has paid for me.

 

[Valcazar]

I'll walk into a burgar joint next time and ask if someone has paid for me.

The places I've seen that have this advertise it.

 

[wazup]

Out of all this nonsense one person might benefit and half get screwed as they have to pay more than they had to. It's a zero sum game. If it happens to me I will be the person to get the free coffee. The place I eat breakfast tried something like this, you could pay for a bumbs breakfast, the bumbs wouldn't leave the restaurant, would ask for the money instead of the meal. In the drive through you're supposedly paying it forward for people that don't really need it, what's the point?

 

[wazup]

He read about a guy. Endless blah blah and conjecture follows.

The world has many problems. Someone anonymously paying for your lunch isn't one of them.

You left out the part they're not paying for my lunch, critical missed point. On second thought I would be the guy to end the line so I guess they would be paying.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

Yeah I agree this is bullshit, fake, contrived, and hijacking and toxifying the actual real pay it forward. It’s like those e-mails we used to get from friends in the 90s with a really miraculous and amazing story and then it hits you straight like a Mac truck in the face saying send it to 10 closest people in your life or you will have bad luck for the next 7 years. Then you realize how fake it is. Just when you thought there was something amazing shared without expectations they hit you with reality.

same with this shit.

If you want to pay it forward do it properly when it feels right and on your own terms and not what someone else decides should be done.

I like helping people or doing something when the times comes and it feels right to do it without expectation.

What’s happening with the OPs story is some people will get stiffed, taken advantage of, feel like they are being manipulated and at the end of it will be turned off to actually paying it forward when they want to. They will actually resist the urge when it comes and this kind of thing does more damage then good.

 

[shack]

I'd only do it if the guy behind me was driving a Porsche. They are very expensive if they need any repair.