When people ask me about my summer job, I tell them I love it and it’s the best job in the world. Then sometimes during a 10-hour shift, I wonder what exactly I was thinking. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a pretty enjoyable job, but between crazy customers and the tired arm muscles, sometimes it’s a little much. Here are my biggest struggles of working in the ice cream world.
1. Dying a little inside when someone asks for a large soft serve cone
I mean how in the heck are these little cones supposed to hold a giant tower of melting ice cream?! (and still look presentable) Yes, there are different sized cones for different sizes, but to me, they’re still nowhere big enough. If you’re a customer and order a cup instead of a cone, I’ll probably applaud you and give you a free topping (jk if you’re my boss and are reading this).
2. Broken wrists and arm muscles
Enough said. I don’t care what anyone says, scooping ice cream and rock-hard water ice is difficult. After my first day of training, I didn’t know if I’d survive the whole summer. I guess the one perk is after all that scooping, my one arm did get a little toned and I felt like Rocky Balboa, showing my parents my minuscule arm muscle.
3. Getting tired of ice cream
Ugh, I know. Who gets tired of ice cream? But after only seeing freezers solely of ice cream all day, I find myself craving anything but ice cream. Especially after being covered in sticky ice cream and toppings as the result of the 3 p.m. rush, all I want is to be away from those freezers.
4. Customer's outrageous orders
“Sorry, I can’t roll your cone in gummy worms and cherries because they won’t stick." I also don’t understand the concept that no customer is okay with their cone being placed in a cup because they asked for 2,490 toppings. But don’t worry, we always keep a smile on our faces while we attempt to grant your outrageous order.
5. Explaining flavors
I never expected to have to explain the flavor “blueberry” to someone. It took a lot for me not to drop my jaw when a customer asked. I mean, it tastes exactly like the fruit? I understand asking what’s in “salted caramel pretzel,” or “Moose tracks," but seriously?
6. Free samples
Ah, the real reason most kids enter our shop. Never having intentions of buying anything, just attempting to see how many flavors of ice cream they can try for free. My work has a strict policy of two samples then purchase or leave, but how can you deny a cute little kid a teaspoon of ice cream?
All complaints aside, you’ll probably find me still working at the ice cream shop when I’m 65 because I do love the job. Just don’t ask for too many toppings and we’ll be okay.
