After working in an ice cream store for three years, you learn a thing or two about what happens on a daily basis there. Working in an ice cream store comprises of a scoop of the nightmare stories of working in retail sprinkled with the entertainment of food service stories right on top.
So get out your scoop and find that half-full can of whipped cream and learn about the five struggles of working in an ice cream shop.
1. Ice Cream gets everywhere.
You, your clothes, the sink, the floor and, on the occasion that someone finds out just how powerful the shake machine is, the ceiling. Ice cream does not discriminate. If you walk behind that counter, expect to find ice cream in places you never expected to find it.
2. Sprinkles.
Every time someone orders sprinkles on top, all I can think about is getting on my hands and knees to scrub off the left behind and forgotten lone sprinkles that fell off of people’s ice creams from the floor. You can’t sweep them up if they have been stepped on. And let me tell you, they are always stepped on.
3. One arm is much stronger than the other.
After scooping for three hours straight all summer, you will notice that your scooping arm could easily lift the heaviest of objects with ease while the other can barely open a jar of cherries. Now, during that last hour of the evening as small families trickle in to the shop to get their last treat of the day, the roles may feel reversed. That scooping arm feels like gelatin while the other functions as normal. It takes months of not scooping for your arms to ever feel equal.
4. Children.
Oh, your child just ran screaming up to the case of ice cream, climbed onto the counter and smashed his face into the glass I just finished cleaning? Yeah, that’s totally fine. Oh, he wants strawberry? I couldn’t tell from him screaming and stomping his feet that he wants the pink one. Thanks for letting me know. Also, don’t worry about the giant mess your child just made. I’ll clean it right up. Have fun getting Krazy Kolors out of that cute white button up you put him in today.
5. Everyone makes the same jokes.
Oh, you want to try all of the flavors? Which end would you like to start with? Everyone thinks they are the next big comedian in an ice cream shop. Little do they know we already heard that joke six times today, and we responded in the same way every time.
Yes, working in an ice cream shop can be a struggle, but overall, it really is a fun place to work. You get to enjoy the company of fantastic coworkers. You learn everything about ice cream. You get to meet the variety of interesting people that come to you to serve them a sweet treat and you get to go home and impress all your friends with the sundaes you make. And, who doesn’t enjoy getting to try all the different ice cream flavors?
