Some things I just don’t understand

Lately, I’ve been pondering a lot of things I just don’t understand.

I’m not talking about the meaning of life, the Book of Revelation, the federal tax code, quantum physics, how to solve a Rubik’s Cube or other trivial things.

I’m talking about really important, deep-down things, like why you can’t get a contractor to do a small job, why people won’t work, creating problems for others, why television commercials have to be so annoying, why people waste their time on TikTok, why people shoot vertical videos, why today’s mostly software-enhanced music sucks … you know, really genuine puzzlers.

But, the biggest thing I can’t figure out is why it’s so darn hard to get a few napkins tossed into my to-go bag at a drive-thru, or even get what I ordered. Are restaurant napkins in such short supply that they’re held onto tightly, or did they just go out the door with the customer service?

Since the pandemic began forever ago, the problem has gotten progressively worse. Surely I’m not the only one to notice.

Sure, there was a paper-products shortage in the early days as folks apparently feared they’d have to wipe their backsides with leaves from their yard, so they hoarded and stockpiled toilet paper, paper towels and such, but that issue is long behind us.

Even with today’s supply-chain issues (refer back to people not working above), every grocery store I enter continues to have napkins available. Why not the restaurants?

Almost without fail, whenever I order something to go from a local restaurant, napkins are rarely tossed into the bag. Come to think of it, neither is plastic silverware.

So what gives? Where’s the service?

If I order two meals, I should get two forks. If I order soup, I should probably get a spoon to go with it. If I order and pay for a large tea, I expect it to be filled to the top. If I order and pay for medium fries, don’t give me a few broken pieces that barely cover the bottom of the container. And if you tell me my order will be ready in 30 minutes, don’t make me wait an hour … that sort of thing.

I understand everyone is short-handed, but even those who do have the courage to show up still should be able to provide good customer service (yes, there certainly are some great examples of that around).

Given the trajectory of how things are going, I don’t expect much to change any time soon, but I remain hopeful.

So come on guys, just toss a small handful of napkins in the bag, would ya?

Paul Davis is the assistant editor at the Daily American Republic. He can be reached at pdavis.dar@gmail.com.