One unusual childhood goal of mine was to work at McDonald’s. For some reason, working for such a well-known company appealed to me. Last year, my dream came true and I got a part-time job there to help pay for college. Although it isn’t thought of as the most desirable position in the world, I have learned three valuable lessons that I can use anytime, anywhere:
1. Treat others the way I would want to be treated (whether or not they do the same).
Having been taught the Golden Rule since I was little, this idea has become ingrained in my head more and more because believe me, working at McDonald’s has given me the opportunity to put this concept into action. The people who come to McDonald’s are usually hungry and in a rush. They may be tired construction workers, busy men and women on their way to meetings, or parents who need a break from cooking. Each time someone enters our doors, no matter how flustered I am by the hectic nature of the job, my responsibility is to welcome them and treat them with respect. When I take orders, I need to carefully listen to their requests and put them first. Simple things like making eye contact, smiling, and engaging in pleasant small talk help to make their fast food experience and my job more enjoyable. I try to remember that I might be the first person to encourage them all day. These basic people skills go beyond “customer service” and come in handy with co-workers and store managers because of course, everyone wants to be treated well.
2. No job is too small or beneath me.
One of the surprises I got when I started working at McDonald’s is in how many random tasks I'd be expected to do. I've had to scrub toilets, wipe up filthy drains under the soda machine, take out the trash, clean down walls, and other gross things. I've learned that the best way to do these chores is to agree to doing the task as soon as I'm asked, and remember that everyone contributes to the operation of our restaurant. Even if I despise cleaning the men’s bathroom, someone has to do it, and while I’m at it, I might as well do it cheerfully. Having the right attitude will get the job done quickly and helps speed up the shift more than if I drag my feet and mope around... at least it feels like it.
3. Do your best and forget the rest.
Truth is, we all mess up. Because I care about our customers, when I disappoint them, I could beat myself up about it (and I used to). I’m learning to quit dwelling on my failures, let them go, and move on. Handing someone the wrong order can result in harsh words and death stares (theirs, not mine). Everyone is bound to make mistakes though, so it’s okay. I just have to apologize and offer to fix the issue. If they're not kind about it, then that's that. I need to remember that they might be having a rough day and try not to take it personally. This is easier said than done for me, but again, I’m learning. Random fact of the day: I’ve heard that sharks in the ocean need to continually be moving in the water or else they don’t get enough air, and die. I can kind of relate working at McDonald's to that: If you don't move on from angry customer reactions, you're not going to make it. Try to treat customers as well as possible, and that’s pretty much all you can do sometimes.
I’m glad I have my “dream job,” although it’s not necessarily my life’s vocation. I’m also glad I get paid because I need the money for tuition, books, and bubble tea. The last thing I’m glad about is learning not only how to be a good employee by McDonald’s standards, but learning how to put these lessons into effect everyday, everywhere.
