Drive Through Shopping Comes To Ireland – Yay or nay?

It was only a matter of time really. First we traded in our one-on-ones with the butchers, bakers and candlestick makers for the larger supermarket chains that catered to our every need under one roof. Not the most romantic of notions but inevitable, given that smack bang in the middle of the recession, very few of us could longer afford to while away our weekends at farmers markets, dropping top dollar for a bag of organic kale whilst having the lols with Mary from the charcuterie stall. Then, as we further deepened the ass print on our couches, we got used to the new idea of having the supermarket come to us. Home delivery? 'Yes please', we'd say while hungover to high jaysus.

And now? Well, in the same way you get struck with an inexplicable hankering for something as bad as a Big Mac, you'll soon be able to pick up your meat and two veg without ever having to leave your car; supermarket drive-throughs are, alas, upon us.

As per the Irish Times, SuperValu have just launched their first drive through service in Caragaline in Cork, ahead of plans to roll out other stores with such a function nationwide. While our initial reaction is somewhat negative here, we're asking you, is this a good move? 

Sure, it's handy if it's pissing out of the heavens with that sideways, guaranteed-to-soak-you-to-your-core type of rain that Ireland so enjoys, and yeah, if you feel like total shit it's nice to have the option of remaining swathed in your onesie (perfectly suitable attire for one's car if you ask us), but is this where we want to be headed? With this new arrival, we no longer have to endure that whole thing where two people exchange words at the cash register and maybe even smile at each other. What's that called again? Oh, got it; a conversation. 

Apart from the desire to use our limbs from time to time, don't we enjoy a stroll around the shops? Isn't it nice to walk among other human beings every once in a while? And don't we all like it when the charm-offensive butcher has the cheeky chats while he picks the best bit of beef for your stir fry, throwing in a bit extra 'cause he's sound? Are we really so strapped for time that we cannot even bear to step out of the car and into the shop to pick up the bit of bainne for our tea?

It would appear so. "We realise that many of our customers have a very busy lifestyle or may find it difficult to come instore, and this convenient service will save them time and effort when it comes to doing the necessary weekly shop". - Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu.

With self-service checkouts (that make us do all the hard work), home delivery and now this, are national and multi-national chains lessening the opportunity for personality and any sort of human interaction at the cost of convenience?

Comedian Bill Burr's not a fan, that's for sure.

Images from Bord Bia