This past week I had some friends over to hang out. It was Friday night after work, and since it was late and everyone was tired we decided to order a pizza and have it delivered rather than do any cooking (or dishes). After placing our order and figuring how much we each owed with tip, we got back to catching up. The time flew by because, before we knew it, the delivery driver arrived. None of us had our money ready, so when the doorbell sounded we scrambled to do so. I even had to go out to the garage and get my wallet out of the car. With all the laughing and door opening/closing and calling out, "Just a minute!", I wonder if it made the delivery man feel anxious or nervous about his safety while waiting at the door.
I'd imagine that being a delivery driver of any kind would be a bit nerve wracking, especially with all the crazy stuff we hear about on the news anymore. Driving to a stranger's house and knocking on their door, well it sounds completely unappealing to me. I wonder if the drivers have a plan with their employer that will help ensure their safety. A text message to someone at the restaurant that they were headed to the door of the address, and if they didn't text back in say 5 minutes to send the police immediately - kind of like keeping your best friend in the loop when on a blind date. It's important to stay safe, especially when you don't know who you're going to run into.
I apologized to the delivery guy for not being ready when I finally opened the door (what if the restaurant was calling 911 while he waited on the front porch), and we tipped him well so he probably forgot about the wait time. But I'm almost sure that he went back to his car and breathed a sigh of relief that, yet again, the house he delivered to wasn't inhabited by some crazy person who tried to abduct him. I'd certainly feel that way. On the other hand, I couldn't do it. I'd be afraid that every door would be opened by that crazy person. It would be a very worrisome job to me.
Christmas Countdown
2 hours ago
I expect it isn't the nutters who call and order you've got to worry about but when an error is made either taking down the address or the wrong one put into the sat-nav. Imagine turning up to Chatsworth Road #17, when Chatsworth Street ordered the dairy-free meatlovers 24 incher times two. And suppose the newly wed Sandra and Sondra were arguing about Sondra giving the glad eye to Susan when Bing-bong. Of course not forgetting the sidearm in the hall table.
ReplyDeleteSomeone doing as you did would be par for the course I expect. And the only real annoyance would be the time take while you fooster for cash. These guys are probably paid per delivery.
Ha! I think we had a story like that very one in the paper recently. ;)
DeleteYou are probably right that it's not the norm. We only hear about the crazies so it seems like there are SOOO many more out there. Even so, it would scare me to walk up to some unknown address and knock on the door. I've never been a fan of that - even as a kid selling girl scout cookies. Maybe THAT'S the reason I'm not a fan!
Only on occasion do we order pizza delivery...When we lived in CA we ordered often and the delivery guy knew us..
ReplyDeleteYah, I would imagine some of a driver's customers would be regulars, and they would be generally stress free delivery. I so rarely do take out - their turnover is probably quicker than my repeat orders.
DeleteI'm with you...it's a job I wouldn't want, nor would I be comfortable with my kids doing it. I know most of them have signs posted that state "no more than x$ on driver at any time" (or some such), but you still never know what someone who really wants/needs the money (any amount!) will do.
ReplyDeleteDelivery is out of the question for us. We live outside the city limits and they won't come out this far. We can meet them part way at a nearby convenience store, but it's easier to just drive on in to town.
Rarely do I order out and/or have anything delivered (except my packages from Amazon of course! ;) BUT, if I wanted to, I couldn't throw a stone and not hit a restaurant that does take out and delivery. There are so many, and I live on the quiet side of town.
DeleteMost, I wouldn't say all, but most of the drivers I've seen are young kids - 19 or 20. It would be scary as a parent to think about your kid doing that job.