If everyone paid for the drink for the person behind them...then everyone paid for a drink. Don't you love it when it's all in our heads?

Except for the last person in line.

I have to also think such a promotion is good for the tip jar.

"Hi! I'm a great and caring person so I'd like to take this drive-thru opportunity to buy the drink of the next person in line. Here is $5 for that."


Next person orders: "Hi, I'd like a small drip coffee!"

Cashier: "That's $1.25 but the car that just left paid for your drink" followed by sound of $3.75 going in tip jar.

I thought of that, too. Perhaps that's why the "college boy" asked "what are you drinking?".

I have to admit that the woman in front of me in line this morning offered to pay for my peppermint mocha, being as she has seen me order it a million times before (we're on the same schedule)
and as I started to say "thats sweet, sure"
I thought of Helen, and had to decline. I was so mortified that I was about to say yes, when one of the people I admire said no.

I think I hate the giving spirit of the holiday season.

This thread is interesting. I am one of those who will buy a cup of coffee for the person behind me but I do it year round if I have the cash to spare. I hate to feel that I am putting people on the spot or making them uncomfortable.

Ponine, did you have a bad feeling about what she was offering?

I think this should only happen in the Drive-Thru line so everyone can remain anonymous. ;)

So I walked into a Starbuck's this morning, and I said to the assembled throng,
"Your morning drinks are on me."
Everyone cheered, and I was carried on their shoulders to the front of the line. And then I added,
"Except I'm not actually going to buy your drinks, but I am going to donate the value of your drink to a charity of my choice. You should all go about your business now. Without coffee, to be sure, but with an unexpected sense of fulfillment and appreciation for the beauty of human nature."
Needless to say, I was immediately dropped to the floor and swiftly beaten to death for my presumption. Or would have been if this had actually happened.
And rightfully so.

LoT's first post, truly, from beyond the grave.

Wonder who the Scrooge was who stopped the chain!? :evil:

I wonder if I could buy a coffee in the drive thru and say the guy behind me is paying for my drink