I am writing because of a concern I have that the public should be made aware of. I have been a food-service worker for nearly 10 years, and it never ceases to amaze me how rude and, to be quite frank, ignorant some people can be. And it gets worse around the holidays.

I know that almost everyone hates waiting in line, but people should realize that employees behind that counter and in the kitchen are doing all they can to serve the public as quickly as possible. We are serving more than just one person at a time. And a good many of the people serving customers are under the age of 18. Many of them are still learning the job, or have not been working very long. Food service has one of the quickest turnover rates, simply because most employees are working for minimum wage or close to it.

So, as the holiday season approaches and people are doing their shopping and then decide to go out for a meal, I’m hoping they will be a bit more patient. We are doing the best we can, and a little understanding will go a long way.

James DuDevoir, Buckfield