You know one of the worst things in life? When you’re at a drive-thru and you ask them to take off some ingredient and then they don’t do it.

If I asked you to take the tomatoes off of my burger, then TAKE THE DAMN TOMATOES OFF OF MY BURGER. I’m choosing to put your poison into my body, and I would highly appreciate if that poison tasted exactly how I prefer it.

_{On a burger, this is the equivalent of turd polish}

I get that this is a First World problem (technically, all of my problems are first-world problems though since I, ya know, live in the First world) but there is an underlying facet that really upsets me: the fact that the workers cannot follow a simple request suggests to me that they are wasting a growth opportunity.

Now, I’m not going to engage in the “debate” that minimum wage should or should not be adjusted to a livable income, but I am going to posit that working in a service industry of some sort is an invaluable experience for what you gain besides the meager amounts of money.

It teaches the value in following directions.

Many times, we focus on the idea that we should all be foragers and unique and special little snowflakes, but sometimes that is the worst thing that you can do. When you work in a service industry, you learn that there are certain processes in place for a reason.

That is not to say that the processes cannot be improved upon in subtle ways, but an employer is not paying you to stand around and figure out how you might triple your burger-flipping output; they want you to serve the customers as necessary and there are already structures in place that teach you how to do just that.

Additionally, following directions to let the customer know that you were listening and not playing a game on your cell phone is a good way to ensure that you have return business.

Learning this lesson earlier is optimal, but better late than never, right?

_{“Gotta Catch ‘Em All” apparently does not include my order}

It teaches conflict resolution.

One of the most annoying phrases to someone who has worked in service industries is, “The customer is always right” because sometimes, no, the customer is actually dead-ass wrong.

Despite the fallacy in this saying, the underlying message is the idea that what matters is not your ego but conflict management and resolution.

That is, there are ways to say, “No sir, you gave me a $10 and not a $20” other than laying the bill on your hand and delivering a majestic slap to the customer’s face.

These exchanges present a good opportunity to practice being firm and standing up for yourself in a way that is not totally alienating to the customer.

On the flip side, they also demonstrate that sometimes you just gotta pull out a Louisville Slugger and let someone know where you stand.

_{Pictured: Mandatory training for all store clerks}

It teaches humility.

Another big part of service jobs is the idea that you are doing something because you have to, not necessarily because you want to.

If we all had the choice, I would wager that most of us would rather lie on a beach taking shots and yodeling "The National Anthem" (or however YOU relax, I guess) than ask people what kind of dressing they would like on their side salad.

But part of growing up is acknowledging that there are things that we will have to do that we don’t necessarily enjoy.

Side Note: Definitely does not apply to rich people

Doing the hard work that is a service job gives you a new perspective on other people who are suffering as well. After my own experiences working at a call center and a gas station, I could never become the person that spits curse words at a worker when something goes wrong because I understand where they are coming from.

And let’s be honest, the world would be a much better place if we could all be just a little more understanding.