My first job was at 16 and I worked at a small little fast food chain where I learned a lot of terrible things that taught me about how ridiculous fast food service is. Even after I left that particular chain and got hired at a multi-million fast food chain, these lessons still applied severely. Both were awful and I couldn't stand either.

1. Managers are hateful and cruel towards specific people.

You could be the best worker in the entire world and never do a single thing wrong and at least one or more of your managers will still be rude and curse at you, but not at the people doing things wrong. Unless you share interests with them on certain childish topics such as who is dating whom or what fashion is in style, then you are on their hate list and there is no way to rise up from that. Coworkers of mine have stood with a manager and talked about gossip over their mutual friend being pregnant or complain about issues most high school students would find important while these people are in their early to late twenties. In this case, I would be running and getting all the food by myself and I'd be taking orders and handing out the food alone too because no one else would help me - they're too busy with their "important" gossiping during work hours. During a rush, if my times were higher than 100, I would be chewed out for this "terrible" problem by the general manager and if I insist it was not my fault — everyone else on the floor was not helping me and were talking instead — I would be yelled at even more and called a liar or told to shut up. I don't know what I did for them to hate me so much and ignore my obvious signs for help on a job they're also being paid for, but I'm so sick of it.

2. Most crew members/coworkers are arrogant, lazy and angry people.

Now I understand that working in fast food sucks. It sucks for me and I'm only 18, so it must really suck if you're 20 or older, with no future for another type of job, to be working there. Now this anger towards their terrible life should not be displayed while working; you're supposed to smile for the customers. Although, the coworkers and crew members I have had to deal with have all ignored me if I ask for help because they're just generally angry people either because of their job or just their life. In this continuous day-to-day tantrum, these coworkers would have. They would ignore me if I asked them for help getting the orders out to customers, especially if there are ten orders needed and people are complaining about how long it is taking. After not helping, they would continue to complain about how much "work" they did during a rush of customers when they were just leaning on the order-taking monitor on their phone. This is so very annoying to me and the few coworkers who actually do their work.

3. Hours are a joke.

Now this doesn't necessarily relate to me because I work in fast food so I have money for college, but there are people I work with who rely on this job for their sole financial support. So, the hours we are sometimes given could never have someone survive off of this combined with minimum wage. Hours range from three hours a day to nine a day - there's no definite time you'll work a week. There's also the issue of having to request off for doctor's appointments, special occasions, or sickness. You can't do this if it isn't a few months in advance. The rule is, we have to write down when we need off on a little planner in the manager's office. If three people or more have already written their name on the day that you need, you won't get that day off. Even if it is absolutely necessary like you need surgery or you have a vacation out of state.

4. Customers are ungrateful scum.

Yes, I realize this is cruel language to use towards people I don't actually know, but if you've ever worked in a job serving customers (basically any job), then you understand. A customer will spend a good half an hour of your shift yelling at you for something you either had nothing to do with - in my case it was the making of the food because I never made the food, something that isn't even wrong - or telling me the price for their food is incorrect when it really isn't (and I would know because I work there), or for something so insignificant, like the fact that the last time they visited the fast food place they had more fries, but in this trip they got one less fry and want to speak to a manager. These customers are the type that have nothing else to do in their lives and they're the lowest trash you will ever come in contact with. These people are so laughable in the end because, if you think about it, that time someone spends yelling at me about nonsense is time I'm being paid for just to stand and pretend to listen. It's like I'm a therapist for a crazy person or something.

5. You are moving forward.

If fast food is your first job and not your No. 1 priority, then don't worry. You won't be here forever like some other coworkers. If you are taking this fast food job while in school and college, then do not forget that this job is simply temporary. I understand that your managers are most likely very older and will likely work in fast food until the day they die, but in a student's case -ou don't have to worry about that. Don't be stressed out and don't get too angry at the older coworkers you work with if they're always angry. It is because they know their future lies in fast food and greasy fries.

6. Gender roles are apparently a must.

Okay, this is kind of a big deal in modern day society. I was once yelled at and shamed in front of customers and coworkers for running to the back and grabbing a tin of ice for up front where we needed ice for the drinks. The reason? Because I am a girl and the rule is that only a male coworker can get ice because of their strength. Really? I know this is a white-trash job with very low standards, but this is absolutely absurd. Why would you stop working progress just to yell at me for getting ice in order to continue the flow of customers? Instead, though, you yell at me and hold up all the customers orders, making them angry and upset. This is sexist, I know. Especially since I always carried heavy things in my own home and I was not afraid to lift something. And ice isn't even very heavy.

7. The customer is actually never right.

So many people have tried arguing with me about the prices of our food. Heads up, people! The employees have nothing to do with the prices, and if said prices change, it is not our fault in even the smallest way. If your favorite food item rose up a few cents and you find it necessary to come to my window and curse at me about how I rang up your order incorrectly, I will simply laugh and call over a manager to explain to you how you are very wrong and I am very right. Why do customers always think they're right, and why is this some kind of motto in the world? Anyone who has ever dealt with customers knows the amount of intellect a customer lacks on the subject of basically anything dealing with your job.

I am so tired of all of the issues that come with working in fast food, but I'm glad I worked in fast food as my first two jobs because anything else I have will definitely be better. I am sure I am better for having learned these things because it taught me a lot about how life is, how people are and react to things that are oh so meaningless. So, if you're in fast food as a first job, don't worry. I believe in you and this is only temporary. Take these lessons and remember them for the future.