November 20, 2002
Survival of the Meanest at the Krispy Kreme Drive-Thru
Drive Thru.That's all I intended to do.But the fates had other plans!
Since Krispy Kreme only recently arrived in Canada, there seems to be a small amount of hysteria surrounding it and its most famous product, the original glazed donut (can you say donut Homer?).I am going to admit right now that I am part of the hysteria.Sure, I too was once a sceptic.I mean, how good could they be?Well, apparently so good that Madonna and Rosie talked about them for about two entire minutes on national television once.That the line-ups are around the corner and back again when the red light flashes indicating fresh donuts hot off the press.That a franchise, if you could even get one, requires tons of money which is really only a small investment in your future drive-thru of gold.
I should explain the lure to this place and the hysteria that surrounds it.Simply put, it is the homemade, fresh, usually piping hot, old fashioned and glazed donut.I don’t even like to call it a donut as the word does not do justice to the product when comparing it to the other ‘donut makers’ out there.These circular treats literally evaporate once you take hold of one.This would explain the average 3 dozen order.You are barely out of the shop and you are down to 2 as they disappear into waving hands sticking out from the backseat.Another great draw to Krispy Kreme is the staff.They are polite, friendly, tidy and offer you a free donut on your first and sometimes second visit (okay, I get a free one every time as I am a tourist there).I am assuming that you now slightly understand the attraction to this donut and when you taste one for yourself, you will become better acquainted with the word addiction.One more thing, for those of you who don’t like donuts (3 or 4 individuals in the world) you will never understand the Krispy Kreme lure although I beg you to try just one.
So there I was, heading to Mississauga on a cold and blustery winter day while in Toronto for the weekend.It would be quick and straightforward I told my son.It didn’t really take much convincing. He has enjoyed the Krispy Kreme experience in the past.Of course I get lost on the drive out there….hey, I’m from Toronto, not Mississauga!After circling Rexdale and a few other neighbourhoods, we end up back on the 401 and eventually at the donut palace.I cannot even do the line-up justice here.They were both so long.The on foot line went out the door and the drive-thru line needed its own collector lanes.I started to navigate my way in line which was no small feat as the palace is located in a mall parking lot.I ended up waiting my turn from the left while the cars on the right did the same.This went well until the ambulance.An ambulance was cutting through the parking lot and I had to shift a bit to let it by.I motioned to the person to my right so that they would understand that I was not trying to bud, but was just moving a bit to keep the traffic moving.She was fine with that and gestured so.Shortly after this, the line moved a bit and she went and then it was my turn.Or so I thought.
Mr. Mean darted up and startled me as I thought he was going to hit me.I smiled and motioned that it was my turn and he started what I can only describe as a childish fit.We both opened our windows and I explained the whole ambulance thing with a smile but all I got back was pure mean.‘It’s my turn,” I said.“I don’t think so,’ he retorted.At this point the lady in front of me gave me a thumb’s up support and the guy rudely told me to ‘just go ahead, whatever.’I tried to talk with him further but he just got really, really mean and quite rude.I was so taken aback that I was almost in tears and insisted that he open his window.True coward that he was, he would not.I kept insisting and had time to, as the line was moving a bit slow.Finally he opened his window and I asked him one thing, “Why are you so mean?”He muttered something and I moved up in line.I think that he finally felt bad and was quite embarrassed by his Jerry Springer like outburst.Unfortunately, my son had to witness the entire incident.He saw me get upset and then mad.But he also witnessed the act of kindness at the drive-thru window when it was my turn to pay.I told the cashier that the guy behind me was just plain mean and not worthy of a Krispy Kreme.I continued that he had drive-thru rage and should be banned.She smiled and said a few kind words as she handed me a complimentary pass for a dozen donuts on my next visit.
You know what they say; a little sugar goes a long way (maybe I just say that).
Mr. Mean may be surviving but I am living and living a little better I might add, in part because of my Krispy Kremes.And yes, I will venture there again.They have these donuts and they are so good and you have to…………