I worked in the ice cream business as an employee for two years and loved it, but there were definitely a few customer "quirks" that drove me and my coworkers a little crazy, not to mention could be costly to the consumer. In my time I have picked up quite a few tips that most people should know to get the most dessert out of an order because let's face it, we all deserve a little more sweetness out of our day!
1. Do not try every flavor!
In my days of scooping, I worked at a store with 44 flavors. More than once, people walked in and tried every flavor. The nice ones at least left a formidable tip, but on a busy day, it could be a little stressful and annoying. If you or your kids are picky, feel free to try one or two each or even ask the server what might be best for their tastes. They've more than likely tried them all!
2. The menu is there for a reason!
Is the menu just there to look cute right? No! Okay, I know some stores sell different foods too, but I've been asked - and even yelled at - for anything from coffee to popcorn to hamburgers! Save that for Dairy Queen, please!
3. Practice your hand-stomach coordination!
After a long day of burning my hands while making waffle cones and adventures in the deep freezer, it can be a little difficult to hear or understand orders. Too often kids and even adults point to one ice cream while ordering another. Most employees will probably go with the one pointed out. Make sure to get your hand-stomach coordination down before talking to your server. It can help you avoid a mix-up or awkward conversation.
4. Pro tip: do not just order by flavor!
Most people order by only what flavor they want, not the consistency. The biggest customer complaints I got were "my ice cream is melting!" or "her scoop has so much more!" With so many flavors at one temperature, they cannot all be the same texture. A quick glance at the desserts can reveal that gooey, creamy caramel is not the same as rock hard mint chocolate chip (which I sprained my wrist three times scooping).
Anything at the bottom of the tub will be rock hard, so ask the servers politely to get a new tub or wait and don't complain while they chisel out your order. If you order something soft, you will most likely get much more. Servers will try their best to make them all even, but be patient and don't get mad when the gooey ice cream you got on a sugar cone *gasp!* melts!
5. Clean up your messes, please!
I'm not asking for a deep scrub but if the servers don't bring the food to you, you can, in general, assume that they aren't in charge of your trash. If a family of notorious spill-makers and trash-leavers walks in, I'm much less likely to load up their cones. A few drips, a crumbled waffle cone piece, those gross fingerprints your kid left on the glass, sure! But to the guy who brought fifteen little league baseball players in and specifically told them to leave their trash, I'm still offended. Anything less than a full ice cream flop, grab a napkin and do what you can!
So get out there this summer and show off your new professional ice cream skills! Being polite and respectful will always get you better service and make a sweeter work environment for your servers!
