For the past six years, I have been working at a local ice cream/deli shop on the lake called the Ice House. I have met some really great friends there and learned a good amount of things from my job, such as responsibility and customer satisfaction. My job has also taught me to tip on the heavier side because I began to realize how hard people in food service work. As much as I love my job, there are definitely pros and cons when it comes to dealing with all kinds of people and situations.

Pro #1: Experimenting with sundaes and flavors. I think I officially qualify as an ice creamologist. Who knew bacon and caramel on vanilla ice cream could be so amazing?!

Con #1: “Do you have vanilla ice cream?”

Pro #2: My coworkers are honestly some of the best and funniest people in the world. We wouldn’t have crossed paths if it wasn’t for this job.

Con #2: “Where is your menu?” the customer says when they walk in, not noticing the giant bulletin board directly to their right with all the flavors and sizes specifically listed.

Pro #3: Tips can be both a pro and a con, but I would say about 70 percent of the population tips pretty well.

Con #3: Customer tips 40 cents on a $60 order.

Pro #4: Clean up is pretty easy when you’re just dealing with ice cream and deli food.

Con #4: When the dirty sink clogs up and you have to clean it out.

Pro #5: Serving really friendly people that remind you why you love your job so much.

Con #5: But then a group of little kids walk in screaming at you for a million different toppings.

Pro #6: Working in an air conditioned place.

Con #6: When someone drops some of their ice cream on your floor and then walks away, leaving it on the ground.

Pro #7: The sunsets on the lake are absolutely breathtaking.

Con #7: When people continue ordering while you are busy getting what they previously ordered.

Pro #8: When families have their kids line up with their ice creams to take a photo, it is the cutest thing ever.

Con #8: When the soft serve/yogurt machines aren’t working.

Pro #9: Seeing adorable kids all day long.

Con #9: Customers coming in after closing hours when we’re 10 minutes away from walking out the door.

Pro #10: When new flavors come in and you are the first to try them.

Con #10: The amount of ice cream you eat in a week is probably unhealthy.

To be honest, I don’t notice the few bad things about this job that much because it is so much fun and the people I work with are wonderful. I am blessed to have worked at such a great place for so long, plus it is awesome to work with something you love: ice cream!