There were times I ordered what I could say instead of what I wanted. Wendy’s on campus was one of those places.
The number I thought would be easier
During my first week at the University of Florida, I was in the Reitz Union, looking for something to eat. There was a long line at Wendy’s. I wanted the fried chicken sandwich and was going to ask for its combo number. That seemed easier than describing what I wanted.
When it was my turn, I froze. The number for the combination I wanted wouldn’t come out. I thought about forcing it, but I remembered the girl standing in line behind me.
So I said the number for the spicy chicken sandwich. That number was easier for me to say. I used to hate spicy food.
Years of ordering that spicy chicken combo finally led me to like spicy food. That’s how much the words I could say affected what I ate.
Chocolate when I wanted vanilla
On the ice-cream date at college, I ordered chocolate because I stuttered more on vanilla. Vanilla was what I really wanted.
That is part of the whole ice-cream story. I had got through the invitation and was still struggling with the conversation and the words I wanted to say.
The words “the same” could hide a different choice
There were other meals when I let somebody else's order become mine. I wrote about meekly saying “the same” when it was my turn. I wanted to say the words I could get out.
I'd have the same as the other person. It wasn't necessarily what I wanted to eat. I couldn't say what I really wanted. That was another way the words could decide the meal for me.
An order can change after you start
In one recording, I asked for a Jack and Coke. The place didn't have liquor; I'd forgotten. So I asked for a Stella instead.
Then I found out they didn't take cash. I asked whether I could tip in cash, and they said I could. There were things to work out after my first request.
That was an actual exchange. I had to hear the answer and respond. I couldn't pre-script what they were going to tell me.
A real reason to speak
In another short recording, I needed pizza dough. I asked where to find it and followed up about sauce and cheese. Then I said thank you. That grocery-store exchange is another example.
And for some food or coffee orders, I used an easier name. When the name was there to call out an order, I chose one I could say. I've also said that when my real name is required, I give my real name.
Those ordinary choices mattered to me. I wanted to be able to go out, order something and take part in the conversation without spending the whole time working over the words in my head.