Britain needs Drive Through Reform!!!

Yeah, I know you can get a McDonalds drive through, but this week in the states I have been like every drive through I have seen so I don't have to lug my 3 year old out of the car in this STIFLING HEAT!! The one thing I miss the most about living in the states is Dairy Barn, the best drive through convenience store EVER!! You want some bacon, come on, drive through! Not to mention today alone I got cash from an ATM, Dunkin Donuts Coffee, an egg bagel sof my son, a half gallon of milk & some ice cream ALL WITHOUT GETTING OUT OF THE CAR!!!

And this is the best bit, Saturday morning I went and got breakfast at DD in my PAJAMAS!!! Awesome!

Yah, I know. I miss starbucks drive-throughs, drive thru banking, etc, etc. Some people might have mean things to say about that......laziness, etc, etc. It's all about convenience for me, I totally get your point with small children in the car.

We don't have the room for loads of drive-thrus.

Most bizarre experience for me, whilst in the States last year, walking around the locality which surprising actually had plenty of sidewalks! Anyway, I needed an ATM and came to a bank, didn't see one outside so went inside and asked if they had an ATM....she said - yes, it's in the drive thru! So I was expected to join a queue of cars?!
I went further down the road into the Wawa store where they had an ATM.

With the US and UK struggling with obesity, not to mention the fuel that's drying up, we really don't need drive thrus....   No offense, but I wouldn't be caught dead stepping out of the house in my pajamas, nor can I see its appeal. 

With the US and UK struggling with obesity, not to mention the fuel that's drying up, we really don't need drive thrus....   No offense, but I wouldn't be caught dead stepping out of the house in my pajamas, nor can I see its appeal. 

YES!! Also, one of the things I love about the UK is that it doesn't have such a dominant car-culture. People actually do still walk. 

YES!! Also, one of the things I love about the UK is that it doesn't have such a dominant car-culture. People actually do still walk. 

Yep, sorry gotta agree. And it infuriates me that so many parents drive their kids to school when they could easily walk (not referring to those who attend schools far from home - just the ones like our old neighbours who could either walk for 10-15 minutes or drive and even though mum didn't work and so wasn't in a time crunch chose to drive). I've always hated the concept of spending a day in the car and not once getting out for a bit of fresh air. 

I have never ever used a drive-through anything.  I have enough trouble with toll booths on the highway!!

I completely see the appeal of drive thrus like the OP.  With little kids and putting them in the car seat, taking  them out of the car seat over and over it gets a bit tiring/ irritating/ etc. It's nice to have the option of a drive thru for cash or a coffee.

I think there's room for a bit of both in my life. There are times when I actually put off errands that need doing because doing them with both boys is such a hassle. If those places had drive-thru, it would be great (we don't have drive thru groceries here though!). This is especially true when it's one of our summer thunderstorms! We're also at the awkward stage with our kids where they are both walking but take SO MUCH herding and prodding that any shopping trip is exhausting.

I've also left the house in pjs. I'm having to drive my DH to work off and on. On some days, he has to leave VERY early. I drive him in my pjs (which, granted, are t-shirts and pj bottoms), and then hit a drive-thru b'fast on the way home.

The school run is another kettle of fish IMO. So much of the coddling of kids these days is a result of fear of what might happen to them if you aren't there to watch over them at all times. Somehow this has translated to driving them rather than walking with them.

All that said, even living back in the US now, we live within walking distance of quite a lot of stuff and we do make the effort to do so. I've also lived in rural England where driving was the only option. So I don't always buy this notion that the UK is always superior in it's lack of car culture. It's just different.

Oh, also, IMO there IS room in the UK for some drive-thru. Just not in the city centres. But all these newly built out-of-town shopping places could easily accommodate them. But the existence of those is a whole other debate!

The only drive-through I ever used with any regularity was my pharmacy, shortly after my son was born.  A midwest winter and flu season meant if I (and my newborn) could avoid the line of hacking, sneezing and plague-bearing patrons, I was going to do it.

Otherwise, I just don't get it.  For the occasional food detour during a road trip, maybe.  But to get some cash or coffee?  It's not that hard to get a kid in and out of a car.

Depends upon the kids I guess. For me, it's 2 car seats that are both very fiddly, followed by the double stroller which can also act up. That or let the older one walk and push the younger. But Sammy is a bolter, so sometimes, it really really is a headache.

Do I make a point of using drive-thru? No. But there are times when I'm very glad it's there!

Drive-throughs give me performance anxiety. I actually rehearse my order while I'm waiting my turn, and even then I usually screw it up somehow.

Yeah. I know.

No offense, but I wouldn't be caught dead stepping out of the house in my pajamas, nor can I see its appeal. 

I miss being able to go out in my pajamas!  Or at least in comfy clothes just to grab a coffee.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1207047/Are-pyjama-party-Violet-Jennifer-Garners-adorable-charge-travels-comfort.html

There are a few places that are within walking distance (15 to 20 minute walk) of my house. But in the Houston summer when there's a heat index of 110 degrees and humidity is 99% it's not a matter of laziness as much as avoiding heatstroke that makes driving the preferred option. Drive thru pharmacies and banks and pay at the pump gas stations have been helpful when I've had a sick or sleeping child in the car or when I myself haven't been feeling 100%. I don't use drive-thrus a hell of a lot but it is nice to have the option.