Having a job in any type of fast food establishment tends to have a very negative stigma attached to it. Honestly, before I walked into a Wendy's and filled out an application at 16, I used to think the negative things too. However, after working at a Wendy's since I was 16, I've learned some very important life lessons that make me thankful to have worked fast food in my life.
Fast food workers are hard workers.
Some people ask themselves, how hard is it to flip burgers and take orders? But honestly, it is very hard. So much more goes into running a restaurant and dealing with a huge rush or everything imaginable going wrong during a shift. It truly is hard work.
There are some very rude people in the world.
Before working fast food I never realized how many rude people truly exist in the world. It still amazes me after three years of serving customers how people can yell at a teenager over ketchup or fries.
But, there are also some genuinely nice people out there.
While dealing with rude people is hard and can lead to some windows, drawers, or headsets being slammed, there are also some insanely nice people out there who restore faith in humanity. It is so refreshing after working 30 hours a week or an eight hour shift in the window to have somebody be genuinely nice to you. Or the regulars who you adore every time they pull up to your window.
Multitasking is real.
I don't care how many times my psych professor tells us it is technically shift tasking and multitasking is impossible. Until you are taking an order and counting change through a dinner rush you can't tell me it's impossible.
The importance of teamwork.
Working fast food requires a lot of teamwork and working together. You rely on your co-workers to do their job and learn how to work with others.
Treat people how you want to be treated.
My dad used to say this all the time when I was little. I used to roll my eyes at it. However, after working and dealing with customers on a regular basis, I've realized how true this is. Don't expect to yell at workers and complain about everything and have them love you. Be nice. Be polite. You never know what someone is dealing with or what's going on.
I'm truly grateful for my fast food job.
I started working fast food at 16 and still go back to work while on breaks from college. I'm so thankful for all the lessons I've learned through working this job. It's pushed me to go after what I want in college and been there for me when I come home.
