"Hi, Welcome to (insert fast food franchise here), is this for here or to go?" I'll admit, working at a fast food joint isn't glamorous- but it's actually one of the best jobs I have ever had. I'm currently being re-trained as a cashier. I have about as many stories as a bartender and the back aches of senior citizen. In the first few weeks of my training, I kept mental notes of the things I loved and hated about being a cashier. These are my confessions, and if you were once a cashier, I know you'll groan about some of these things too ...
1. "The Regular"
(Credit: Unknown)
In the first few weeks of training, I noticed returning friendly faces. Regular customers made the day a little easier. Most of the time, the regulars included a group or two of older men and women who loved to chat and share smiles. The regulars were the people who made every shift worthwhile.
2. Children
I am most likely going to be a mom in a few years time so I understand that children are children, and they're going to screech like Velociraptors and demolish everything that they can get their hands on. I know a command isn't going to settle them down.
As a cashier, the one thing I can't wrap my head around is when parents allow the toddler/young child to order their own meal. I can't even make that decision and I am 20! Do I want nuggets, burgers, hot dogs? Oh gosh! Maybe the 15 types of soft drinks would satisfy what i want ... I get this nearly every lunch shift. A mom, dad or babysitter will come in with children and try to have them order. Meanwhile, the child is hiding behind them, not talking and the guardian is screaming at them because they're holding up the line. Parents, please for the sake of your cashier and other customers, just order for your child and know what they want before you get to the counter.
3. "The Look"
People see us in a uniform behind the counter, pressing buttons of food on a screen. I see the way people look at us. They give us a look that says "You must not be too intelligent to be working here." People who haven't worked behind the counter before don't know what we do. Cashiers aren't just cashiers. We have other jobs like dry stock, expediter and occasionally, a line cook. We don't stand around to talk to our friends, we don't text (at least some of us), and don't have an "easy paycheck."
Not all fast food restaurants are the same. You may go to one chain, get the best service you've ever had and then visit another and get the complete opposite. The thing i hate as a cashier is "the look." I always struggle with orders. Every now and again, I will re-ask the customer what their order is. I get an eye roll that says "This is my pre-conceived idea about you. How can you screw this up?" Well irritated customer, I'll have you know I am going to my school for my Bachelors Degree. So yes, I understand that you'd like lettuce on your burger, just give me two seconds to find the correct button.
4. "Can I Talk to your Manager?"
I have only gotten this once so far over the last three food service jobs I have had. The sentence say it all. The cashier/employees tell the customer something and the customer does not believe it. The manager asks what the problem is and tells the customer exactly what I just informed them of. This does nothing but stress both sides of the counter out.
5. The Hungry and Confused
Usually hungry and confused means hangover, but in this case, it highlights customers who puzzle the cashier in numerous ways. Almost a week ago, I had a customer that still puzzles me to this day. She asked for a cheeseburger without cheese. I countered with "We do have just a plain hamburger meal, ma'am." She got utterly offended. "No, I said a cheeseburger without cheese." I tried not to laugh at her solemn look. Did the cheese change its physical form? I wasn't sure and didn't really care. I rang it up as a hamburger meal to leave the back kitchen a little less perplexed. She rang out and didn't give me another problem. I'm assuming this kind of thing happens when people are tired and hungry. Kind of like a "hangry" (hungry and angry) situation. Nonetheless, it'll always be hysterical.
6. Entitled Customers who believe they're Entitled
This is irony at its finest. The customer who believes just because they have done "good business" feels that they deserve a free item (without a coupon). "I'm so sorry sir, unless you have a card I can punch, I can't ring that up." "Seriously? I always come here!" Who's the entitled one in our society now?
7. "Change" of Payment
8. The Minute to Order It Customer
I used to work midnight shifts at a truck stop when I was younger. We had the shops open until 10 or 11 p.m. I would get customers that would come to the window or counter two minutes before I closed. I have even had customers knock on the metal gate that was shielding the restaurant to ask if we are open. No no, we're open. You just gotta climb the gate. I love and hate when customers catch me last minute, because it always gives me a great story to tell.
Whether you were a cashier or not, working in any type of customer service can be a real pain in the behind. I hope you enjoyed and groaned as much as I did.
