Ice cream is not prodigious by any means. (Although some people may object to that statement.) However, after working at an ice cream shop for over a year now, I have learned a few valuable lessons I may not have been capable of learning anywhere else.
1. Do Not Take This Job for Granted
Working at an ice cream shop tends to be a fairly simplistic job. It doesn’t take a PhD to perfect a milkshake or a Master’s degree to add toppings. However, on a busy day in the middle of July, lines sometimes lead out the door and the work doesn’t seem to stop. Besides assisting customers, there are also a variety of tasks that must be accomplished each day such as making cakes and cleaning the entire shop. On occasions I come home from work and practically fall into bed because I am so exhausted. My job may not be the hardest of all time but it has made me appreciate full-time retail workers as well as people with significantly more difficult jobs.
2. The Customer is Always Right
Let’s face it; this concept is basically retail lesson number one. Of course there are always going to be those customers that swear the ice cream tastes funny even though it was made about an hour ago, but there isn’t much else to do. Arguing accomplishes nothing and only aggravates both parties. Instead of freaking out, take a deep breath, let it go, and make sure the customer is satisfied even if they are being completely ridiculous.
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3. Social Skills are Important
With all of the intricate technology that exists today, people often forget how to talk to other humans rather than a programmed machine. I will admit that at first it was daunting to take customer’s orders but, it has proven to be rewarding in the long run. On a personal level, I have seen an improvement in my own social skills since starting at my job and that has helped me become a more confident person. And even though employees spend only a few minutes serving a customer, the few sentences exchanged may remind people that social interactions should not be taken for granted.
4. Have the Right Attitude
Not every day at work happens to be a dream come true. Customers have questioned my intelligence or have just been outright rude. The soft serve machine has malfunctioned on various occasions leaving me splattered in a sticky mess. I cannot even count the number of times I have embarrassingly tripped over my own two feet or dropped a cone directly on the floor. Life happens. But the best way to handle an uncomfortable situation is laugh about it and move on.
5. Ice Cream Brings Families Together
For some people ice cream is more than just a dessert; it is way for the entire family to come together. For the past year I have seen numerous people indulging in ice cream while spending time with one another and enjoying each other’s company. In a world where work or school dominates a significant amount of time, spare time can be crucial for families to bond and develop. Call me sappy but the happiness that radiates off of these customers shows just how important those two scoops of vanilla can actually be.
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6. Appreciate the Opportunity
In a few years from now I will graduate from college and most likely pursue a completely different career. This job has been temporary from the start but, it has given me friendships, memories, and lessons that have shaped me into a better person. As for the present, I will continue to enjoy my time there and learn as much as I possibly can. I can say without hesitation that this small part time job has definitely taught me plenty and for that I will forever be thankful.
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