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You likely grew up viewing fast food as a weekend treat your parents rewarded you with for good behavior, or a quick but tasty road trip meal you'd devour in the car. Whatever memory you have attached to it, we're almost certain it's a positive one! But if we were to ask you today if you still share that same fond feeling, what would you say?

We wouldn't be surprised if your answer is no. That's because a lot of things simply aren't the same as they used to be, fast food included. These factors that are so different now could easily affect your opinion. So let's test it out! Here are five common reasons why people dislike fast food these days; do you agree with any of these thoughts?

Long Wait Times

It's called fast food for a reason, right? One of the biggest appeals of fast food isn't that it tastes good, but because it's quick and convenient. With options like drive-thru or curbside pick-up, the goal is to be able to get your food within a matter of minutes after ordering. So if you take away the quickness of it, is it still worth your time?

These days, fast food can sometimes feel like it takes way longer than preferred. Whether it's because of a malfunction, busy peak hours, or lazy staff, there seems to be a lot slowing down the process. As a result, people are turning away to find better, and perhaps healthier, alternatives. Because if you have to wait anyway, you might as well get something you know will be higher quality.

Rising Prices

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Remember the days when a few bucks could go a long way at McDonald's or Wendy's? Nowadays, you'd better hope to have at least a tenner on hand. With the current economy, fast food is no longer as cheap as it used to be, making it less attractive as an option. Even value menus sometimes don't feel like a good bang for your buck!

Combo meals are now reaching up towards the $20 mark, which again, makes customers question if they should just head over to a restaurant instead, given those prices. Because at that point, at least you can probably get something of better quality and better for your health, too!

Food Not Served Fresh

Given how quickly your food is supposed to be served, you'd assume fast food always comes fresh and piping hot. Somehow, this isn't the case! With quality seeming to be on a rapid decline, fast food can often feel like a fifty-fifty gamble these days. Is today going to be a good day or not? You'll never know until you get your order.

And to be honest, there's nothing worse than tasting stale or cold fries and burgers. It completely ruins the experience of convenience, especially when you feel like you need a microwave to heat up your food now.

Rude Service

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Let's be honest, bad customer service leaves a bad taste in your mouth no matter where you are. Whether it's a fast food chain, a bank, or a retail store, receiving a poor welcome and a bad attitude can make you never want to return.

While we understand working at fast food chains can be stressful and dull at times, it doesn't mean workers should take it out on customers (obviously this goes both ways!). When these establishments are marketed as hassle-free and easy, dealing with rude service definitely isn't what you ordered.

Repetitive Taste

Most fast food chains serve up the same kind of food: burgers, fries, drinks. So what can you do when you get tired of the same greasy flavor? Well, you're going to have to go to a restaurant or cook for yourself! The more often you eat fast food, the sooner you'll start to grow bored of those familiar tastes and the heavy feeling you're left with afterward.

Even if you try switching it up by visiting a different chain, you'll be left with that same feeling. Although the ingredients and sauces may differ, fast food all shares a similar flavor that won't change even if you jump from place to place.

Final Thoughts

With all these factors affecting people's perception and enjoyment of fast food, where do you sit? For some, the cons outweight the pros, while for others, it's the opposite. It all depends if you think what you get is worth your time and money. But regardless of how badly these cons affect you, it's important to keep in mind fast food should always be eaten in moderation anyway. Keep in mind it's not very healthy to go so often!