After working at McDonalds on and off during high school, I can safely say that I do not want to work in food service as a career. Making money was the only thing that kept me at McDonalds, but my time working in food service taught me lessons I can appreciate now. After around three years as a cashier and then a crew trainer, I learned more than how to smile when I least feel like it and to be nice to food service workers.
1. Be the calm in the storm.
On days where machinery was broken, we were understaffed and out of stock I learned to keep my composure and deal with the most finicky customers. Getting angry right back just escalates the situation and will not make anything better.
2. People have bad days.
As someone who was often the one with a bad day, I understand now that just because the waitress doesn’t serve you with the smile doesn’t make them a cold person. Maybe the inattentive waiter is just really stressed about a midterm tomorrow. Everyone has their bad days and you can never really tell what people are going through.
3. Non slip shoes really are a necessity.
Non-slip shoes really do help and the floors of the McDonalds are covered in a film of non-removable oil. Behind the counter is filled with dangers and the workers are standing for the entirety of their shift so comfortable shoes are a worthwhile investment.
4. If you want it done right do it yourself.
If things are high stakes the best method to get the desired result is to just do it yourself. Having others learn and working as a team is ideal in most situations however the things that really matter should be done by those who can do them best.
5. Being a good communicator and teacher is incredibly important.
Being able to teach others and communicate what job needs to be done and how to do it properly creates a competent and effective workforce which is the ultimate goal. Being a good communicator with customers is also necessary in order to decipher what it is that they actually want and to convey price changes tactfully to avoid any possible screaming.
6. Women working in service are taken as objects.
Just because it is my job to serve you does not mean that I have to respond positively or respond at all to your flirting and cheesy pickup lines. Even at McDonalds there is basis of professionalism and appropriateness. I do not want to be hit on and it is not okay for people to use the job requirement as compulsion to accept or return any sort of advances.
7. Preparation really makes a noticeable difference.
Stocking the night before and cleaning before the lunch and dinner rush saved so much stress and freed up time to serve and do other jobs. While stocking can be boring and time consuming it is vital to keeping things moving quickly.
8. Attitude is everything.
Attitudes, good or bad, are contagious. It was always great to have the workers who would come in with a smile because then I would smile myself. My favorite coworkers were the ones who could take a bad day or a bad customer and turn it into a good joke.There is always something to laugh about if you are open to it.
