The world of fast food restaurants (or "quick service", if you work for places like Raising Cane's or Chick-fil-a) is an interesting place, to say the least. It is a world of many different types of people ranging from kind and low maintenance, to the type of people you can only describe using the words "spawn of Satan". It is also a world of beautiful friendships, if you're lucky enough to work in a place where every gets along (for the most part). Through the ups and the downs, working in a fast food restaurant really can teach you a lot of life lessons you can't get anywhere else. Personally, I learned most of these lessons while working in the drive-through window at my local Raising Cane's. Too many times to count, I felt like turning and glancing at a camera behind me in hopes anyone was witnessing the same insanity that I was. Here're a few gifs that directly reflect my inner dialogue in those moments.
1. When you repeat a customer's order back to them three different times and then they yell at you for getting it wrong when they get to the window.
Well, ma'am, maybe if you would've actually been listening to me, we wouldn't be in this predicament.
2. Trying to figure out what in the world the customer is saying over the speaker.
I swear, sometimes it's like they're intentionally not speaking clearly to make my job more difficult.
3. "Would you like some ketchup with your order, sir?" "Umm... maybe."
OKAY, BUT I NEED YOU TO TELL ME. DO YOU WANT IT OR NOT? I CANNOT MAKE THESE DECISIONS FOR YOU.
4. When a person pulls up exactly one minute before you close
There are literally no words for these kind of people. I know they see that we close in one minute. I know that they know we have already closed half of the store. I know that they are a jerk. They know that they are a jerk. We all know this. Don't be that person, just don't.
5. Waiting to give a customer their food while they spend five minutes putting their money back in their wallet.
No, really, I don't mind having my arm hanging out of this window for an ungodly amount of time. It's fine. I'm fine.
6. When a cutie comes to your window.
Did you order a side of my number with that? What? *nervous laugh* No, I said did you order a side of fries with that? No? Okay, sorry. Bye. I love you.
7. When you work a shift with your work bestie.
Seriously makes shifts better all around.
8. Then when your manager separates you and your work bestie because you guys are having "too much fun".
WELL EXCUSE ME FOR ENJOYING MY JOB FOR ONCE. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have made that joke over the headset for everyone to hear, but my bestie was too far away to hear it at the moment. What else was I supposed to do?
9. When you find out you're working a shift with the person you have a crush on.
Okay, maybe this wasn't for everyone, BUT, there used to be this guy I would literally pray was working the same shifts as me, so when he actually did, it was always my favorite thing. (Oh and that guy is also now my boyfriend. *insert heart-eyes emoji here.*)
10. When you run out of the one thing nearly everyone orders.
Why is it that whenever you run out of something, suddenly there are 10 cars waiting in line that want to order that exact thing?!
11. When you get an unexpected rush right as you're supposed to clock out.
Nope. Nope nope nope. Gotta go, sorry!
12. "Hey, do you think you could stay late fo-"
I have been here since we opened and I have also stayed late almost every day this week, so unless you're going to finish that sentence with "for a $3 raise", the answer is NO.
Overall, working in a drive-through window has to be one of the most stressful but, somehow, still extremely entertaining things anyone can do. Here's to long shifts and good memories!
