Displeasure

 

In March of 2021 I wrote about a growing problem in my household: the proliferation of plastic utensils that arrived with takeaway meals.

Make it Stop

I was eventually able to find good homes for the ones I had piling up, but, that merely started the cycle all over again.

Trying to find new homes for unwanted utensils has become a regular occurrence in my Buy Nothing Group. I’m not the only one who has been overwhelmed.

This week a post by the Chick fil a in Clarksville caused a bit of a stir on social media.

No More Utensils

January 10th, 2022

Due to the new county regulations, we will no longer be providing utensils or straws. They will be provided upon request. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Oh, my. Dear sweet, fount of good manners, Chick fil a is somehow using their courteous, hope-not-to-offend language to…not tell the truth? Mislead? Stir up the public?

I can’t quite figure out what to call it. You decide.

First off: No More Utensils is a big fat whopper. Of course they have utensils (and straws.) it says so right in the body of the text.

They will be provided upon request.

Next: We apologize for the inconvenience. They are making the decision for you in advance that this is an inconvenience. While I don’t patronize this particular business, I’d have to say that automatically receiving piles of straws, napkins, and utensils has been a major inconvenience for me. I don’t think I’m alone, either.

Chick fil a might as well have posted the following:

NO MORE UTENSILS

HOWARD COUNTY REGULATIONS ARE BAD

ITS NOT OUR FAULT*

*Available upon request 

Let’s be clear here. The way this announcement is worded was a choice. This business could have chosen different wording to get their message across.

New Environmentally Friendly Policy

January 10th, 2022

In keeping with new county regulations, utensils, straws, and napkins will be available upon request. Just let us know what you need and it will be our pleasure to serve you.

Do you see what I mean?

Changing to a policy where a business responds to customers’ requests is not an inconvenience. It’s good business. And it’s more environmentally friendly. I’d like to point out that no one has ever apologized to me for the inconvenience of filling my home with unwanted take away utensils. I don’t expect them to, but, golly, that’s the real inconvenience for me.

In the meantime, I’ll be giving away restaurant utensils if you want any. While supplies last.