TL;DR
Considering the state of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was pretty dope to see.
Quick Intro
I was in need of some food and ended up walking over to Chipotle to pick up a salad bowl. On my way out (after getting my food), I stopped to pick up a plastic fork and some napkins; however, there were none in sight.
Given what’s been happening lately, I figured not having plasticware out was being extra safe so I wasn’t too annoyed. Makes sense. Better safe than sorry.
My Goal
I was aiming to safely enjoy my meal.
GIF of little boy saying, “I love Chipotle.” (credit: giphy.com)
My Experience
I got back to my place and was excited to dig TF in! Everything that’s been going on has had me stressed and eating.
When I opened the bag, this is what I found...
Picture of Chipotle plasticware wrapped in plastic wrap.
Picture of me holding the plastic-wrapped plasticware.
…the plasticware wrapped in a napkin, wrapped in plastic wrap! 😍 I fully expected to have to use my own fork but this was a basic yet pleasant surprise (especially since I was on the go and did not have immediate access to silverware…it definitely would’ve taken some extra effort).
Dope or Dead?
Don’t get me wrong, I still washed my plastic fork with soap but this was dope! It was good to see that Chipotle (or at least this location) was taking the virus seriously before any “shelter in place” or “stay at home” mandates hit the city.
It made me feel safe and secure in my choice to purchase food from their establishment and more likely to purchase from there again during these uncertain times. I actually did end up getting food from Chipotle another couple of times after that; however, the other location I went to did not have its plasticware wrapped. 😕
Man saying, ”I expect more from you,” with a disappointed expression. (credit: giphy.com)
UX Corner
Consistency is extremely important to ensure that the people whom we create things for understand how to use them. Inconsistency is a sure way to lead to confusion and frustration within user experience.
I wasn’t 100% unsatisfied with not experiencing the same exact behavior at the other Chipotle location I went to after going to the restaurant I visited initially; however, I was slightly disappointed because my expectations weren’t completely met. The first Chipotle I went to set my expectations and the differing experiences that followed — that is, the inconsistency — resulted in disappointment.
Consistency plays its part on both the UX and UI sides of design. To learn more about consistency and its all-around significance in design, check out this article.