Here are some pros and cons of working at a fast food restaurant. If you have worked at one you will feel my struggle. Contrary to popular belief, there are some pros. Here are some things I love about it but also the things I hate!
Cons:
Rude Customers
This one is on the very top of the cons list for a reason! I know that they say that the customers come first but if we are very nice, respectful, and polite to you why should I be treated like crap for no reason? If you're having a bad day and find the need to take it out on a worker at your local fast food restaurant I have one word for you... DON'T. There is no reason why we shouldn't be treated with respect when we are just trying to do our job. If you're mad because the line is going slow, just know that we are doing literally all that we can to make things go as fast as possible and most of the time it's completely out of our hands. If you're ever getting frustrated about how slow the line is going, just remember that you actually have no idea what's going on. You don't know if the person in front of you decided to add 10 items to their order (which happens a lot), or if they're taking 5 minutes to search for their wallet (which also happens a lot). In my experience I haven't had a whole lot of rude people, but I've had my fair share. Yes, more people are nice than they are rude but that one really rude person has the potential to ruin my whole day.
Working in the Drive Thru
Especially with the timer ticking away right above you, this can be a lot of pressure. We're supposed to get food and drinks out the window in around one minute and this is so stressful especially when people order the whole menu. The drive thru is also tends to be a favorite spot for rude customers. Handing things out the window when it's below freezing is also not fun at all to say the very least.
Lazy Co-Workers
I understand that I have the potential to ruin a customer's day just as much as they have the potential to ruin my day. I try to be happy and put on a smile even when I'm in a bad mood. Your experience should be a good one if you come to a fast food restaurant. But, if you're giving it all you got and going around stocking everything and doing a damn good job of it and you look over to see a co-worker standing around doing nothing, complaining the whole time, and talking to customers in a bored and annoyed voice it gets really frustrating.
People Who Judge You
Yes, I work at a fast food restaurant. It's a stepping stone for me. Respect it. Don't look down on me because of it. I'm making money, at least I have a job and no, it's not that easy. It's very fast paced, you're literally timed, it took me months and months to get good at it and you're on your feet constantly for 8 hours. It may not be a difficult job in the sense that I have to solve math problems and do paper work but it can get intense and I try really hard to do a good job. So please don't judge me for it.
Pros:
Pay and Tips
It's a job, it's income, it's money. I realize that they don't do this at all fast food restaurants but at mine they do! We don't make much in tips but if you save up for a couple weeks and roll change you'll end up with a good amount. It's nice to have spending money on the side of your paycheck. People can be very generous with their tips and we very much appreciate it.
Nice Co-Workers
I've met some really nice people at my 2 fast food jobs. I respect them all a lot and appreciate them.
Mostly Very Nice Customers
So yes, some of them can be rude but most people are so nice and very polite and thankful. When I'm just exhausted and counting down the minutes until I get to leave and go home, or if I'm just having a bad day it's really nice when someone just simply asks me "How are you today?" This catches me off guard because that's what I usually ask the customers but it's really sweet. Even if I'm having a crappy day, I'll say, "I'm really good, thank you!" It automatically makes my day better.
