I have worked at a Dairy Queen since I was in high school. I'll always love my first job in the little red barn. Even though it is a perfect job during summer vacations, there are some struggles that the employees know too well.
1. Writing on a cake for the first time
Truly the most nerve-wracking experience of your life. Happy Birthday, Julie.
2. Seeing headlights at 9:55 PM
"No, no, no, no, no." And to those people who do come in this late, if you order a cone, you're the best.
3. Athletic teams
Oh no, here they come. Twenty-five children screaming orders at you in sweaty baseball jerseys. (Hint: when they're ordering, write down their jersey number. That way, instead of calling out their order, you call out their number. This makes everything a billion times easier for coaches and parents. You're welcome.)
4. "Mix is low"
During a busy night, this is code red.
5. "Can I get a spoon?"
This question most often comes to me RIGHT as I set the ice cream on the counter. So yes, just give me a second.
6. "Do you want a lid?" "No, but I'd like a spoon."
Obviously, you'd like a spoon to eat your ICE CREAM. I got it.
7. Free cone day gives us nightmares
Don't even get me started.
8. Missing older coworkers
Nothing will replace the crew from your first year. They taught you all your ways, young grasshopper.
9. When the blizzard machine breaks through the cup
GOSH, you know the feeling. Ice cream is all over the blizzard machine and running down your arm. You look around for ANY coworker so they can help you in any way they can.
10. Ice cream sodas
This is also code for, "Please cover my entire polo in ice cream because I have no idea what I'm doing."
11. Ice cream. Everywhere.
This may seem like paradise but I can assure you it's the furthest thing from it.
12. Cleaning the bar
Sorry, we've all been there. Think of it as a torch we pass down to the younger kids. It's your turn to clean now.
13. Khakis are NOT cute
Khakis make ice cream stains a million times more visible and they're just the worst pants tbh.
14. "Can I have an Oreo McFlurry?"
Sure, McDonald's is down the street. They're BLIZZARDS, people.
15. Price complaints
Look, we don't make the price, we just make the ice cream. Plus, the tax rate is disgustingly high. Sorry dudes.
16. Paying in multiple gift cards
"Don't cash me out yet." Gift cards aren't the worst thing in the world, but when someone pays with four different gift cards... it becomes a time hassle.
17. SLOW DAYS
Rain, rain, go away.
18. Saying bye to the college crew
This becomes the saddest part of the entire year because your favorite coworkers are now gone for the next nine months.
19. Not every DQ has a full grill
My DQ doesn't have the full food menu, so we are always used to people coming in and looking at the menu for chicken fingers and fries. After they realize we don't have it, they walk out the door and say "I'll be back!" We know you won't be back, and it's okay.
20. Shakes are too "watery"
Invalid.
21. Discontinuing popular items
RIP S'mores blizzards. RIP Lemon Chillers. RIP to everything that was good in the world.
These struggles made the job what it is, and I seriously cannot complain. Dairy Queen has been the perfect job for summer vacations, offering flexible hours and free ice cream. Overall, it's such a fun experience, and I will always love my first job in the little red barn.
