I have been working at a fast food restaurant since I was 16 years old. Four and a half years ago, I was so excited to finally have a job and to be making my own money. Who knew independence felt so good? However, I had no clue what I was in for when it came to customer service. I was not nervous to talk to customers by any means, but to deal with their rudeness and impossible expectations? I really did not know what to expect.
While I appreciate my job and the stability it has given me while I have been in school, I think there are some things people outside the fast food realm need to know. To the lady who yelled at me about cheese during my first (and only) breakfast shift, this one's for you.
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1. I am not a mind-reader.
When you order a kid's meal, do not just say "kid's meal" and then proceed to get angry when I bombard you with questions. Specify which one you want, which side you want, which drink you want, and which toy you want. I'm not going to risk you not getting what you want and then get in trouble for it later. No thank you.
2. You don't need six sauces for six freaking chicken nuggets.
Unless you fully marinate each nugget in one cup of sauce (which I know you do not do), do not ask me for five zillion sauces for your ten nuggets. We are taught to automatically give one sauce for four and six nuggets, two sauces for 10 nuggets, and three sauces for 20 nuggets. Do not scoff and say, "Ummmm I need more than that." I am following protocol and you can ask nicely for extra sauce. Come on now.
3. I do see you litter in the drive-thru.
There are people who lock eyes with me and throw trash out of their car window. I kid you not.
4. It is not my fault when prices go up.
Don't get mad at me. What do you think I can do about it?! Also, I do not control the tax rate. Sorry?
5. Please don't hit on me.
I don't think I need to explain this one. Creepy.
6. Our food supply is not unlimited and sometimes we have to cook fresh food for you.
How dare we give you fresh food, right?! I am sorry that you have to wait a few extra minutes, but it is impossible for anyone to time their visit with when we have a full supply of everything.
7. Following #6, you are going to have to wait a bit longer when it is late at night.
There are fewer people working at night, and we do not have a full supply of every food item in order to not waste as much. One time a guy asked me if he would get free french fries because he had been waiting so long. What he failed to notice was that all of the lights had gone off because he came through the drive-thru ONE minute before we closed. Sorry, bro.
8. Please please please do not pay me with all the coins you could find in your car.
And please do not drive away before I count it all.
9. Please do not interrupt me when I am talking to another customer.
I cannot just stop taking someone's order to get you a refill on your coffee. You are actually lengthening the process by interrupting me.
10. Do not ask for a water cup and then get soda.
Especially if I'm working. I will watch you go over to the machine and make sure you get water. A large soda is $1. If you don't have $1, well, sorry.
11. I know you're judging me for working at a fast food restaurant.
To the teenage and college-aged girls who giggle with their friends and think I cannot hear them, at least I know what it means to be independent. While you're driving that car that actually belongs to your parents and swiping the card with your dad's name on it, I have my own car that I worked for. Plus, my pristine credit score kicks your disdainful laughs to the curb. See ya.
12. Do not get mad when I interrupt your phone conversation.
If you are going to be on your phone in the drive-thru, at least acknowledge me. Otherwise, you are silently teaching your kids in the backseat that it is okay to be disrespectful to the people who are serving you.
13. I am human. I make mistakes.
Sometimes, I will screw up an order. Or cash out the wrong order. Or give someone the wrong food. I apologize, but it is inevitable that I will make a mistake every now and then. What I ask of you is that you are kind and understanding because I know you are not perfect either. I know it can be frustrating when someone gets your order wrong and it takes up your time, but we always make up for our mistakes.
14. The nice customers make it all worth it.
Even after I have had the longest day filled with one grouchy person after the next, it only takes one sweet customer to remind me why I do love my job. The conversations I have at work with the people who take the time to ask how my day is going always make up for the rudeness I see on a daily basis. I really do appreciate those smiles.
While customer service can be difficult, it has taught me so many life skills that I would not trade for anything. As hard as it can be sometimes, I am always learning how to be more patient and kind in stressful situations. Every day is a learning experience.
