For college students, summer break brings the looming question: what do I do with my summer? Summer jobs are difficult to find, especially when summer trips, vacations and internships are thrown into the mix.
I am very blessed to say, despite my distaste for the summer heat, I have never lacked summer employment and always looked forward to returning home to Brooklyn to work.
For the past two summers, I have worked two part-time jobs -- one as a nanny and the other working on an ice cream truck. I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not this ice cream truck with the annoying song:
It's this kind of ice cream truck:
Yellow. Super cute. Amazingly delicious ice cream.
I work for an ice cream company called Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, and we have some of the best ice cream in the world. Ask around.
As my second season on the truck comes to a close and I reminisce on the good and memorable times on the truck, I have compiled a list of what becomes normal when you have a not-so-normal job.
You know you work on an ice cream truck when...
1. You know how to tell how many axles a truck has — this is an important question when you have to go through the Holland Tunnel.
2. You know what bridges/roadways trucks can/cannot travel on — you don’t want to lose the air-conditioner (which has been known to happen).
3. The local baristas and gas stations know your name and order.
8 a.m.: I smile, and he magically appears with an ice latte. It’s going to be a good day.
One day when the regular barista was not present, I blurted out in a slightly hostile tone, “Where is the normal guy?!?!?” I immediately apologized.
4. You’re really good at sneaking into "customer only" bathrooms because necessity calls.
5. You are 100 percent confident driving any vehicle anywhere.
I’ve been through everything on these ancient UPS trucks.
#tbt to the time I broke down on the Williamsburg Bridge
6. You're so used to eating ice cream out of a cup. On the rare occasion that you get ice cream on a cone, you’re a mess and wonder why people choose that life.
I look happy, but inside, I'm dying.
7. You have bruises all over your arm.
Occupation hazard: waking up with an aching arm/wrist from a busy night scooping. But it’s worth it because you made amazing tips.
8. You have a hat dedicated to sweaty work days.
9. You’re constantly cutting your nails.
Nobody wants to see your dirty nails when you’re handing them their ice cream. End of story.
10. This is not one of those jobs where you get sick of the food because you’re always around it.
Ice cream is always a good idea. It's an addiction.
11. This face is way too applicable:
"When people ask if we have sugar free ice cream..."
"When people ask if we have soft serve..."
"When people ask what vegan is..."
“When people say that ‘vegan’ is not real ice cream...”
"When random guys ask me for my number..."
"When people don't leave me a tip..."
"When people wait on line for 10 minutes and still don't know what flavor they want..."
“When people try every flavor then walk away without saying thank you...”
“When people put your tip in the trashcan when there’s a huge sign that says TRASH...”
“When people think I serve out of the back window...”
“When people think I’ll serve them at a stop sign/gas station while sitting in traffic...”
“When people are shocked that I could actually drive a truck this size...”
12. You love the people you work with because they're amazing.
They're also the only people who truly understand truck life. #scooperstars
