I have to admit, working in food service sounds pretty simple to people who have never done it. You take orders, bring out food, cook food, clean, smile, and get paid. But anyone who has worked in a restaurant, café, or a fast-food establishment knows that the job is so much worse than that, or at least in my experience anyways. Behind every order is a long shift after an even longer day. Working in food service has taught me that the job is a lot more than just taking orders, serving food, and getting paid. From exhausting shifts to difficult customers, and even worse coworkers in some cases, there are plenty of things about the industry that many people do not realize until they experience it themselves. As a college student, balancing work with school makes the job even more challenging.
One of the hardest parts of working in food service is how physically exhausting it can be. Spending hours on my feet each day, constantly walking around, and trying to keep up with everything that needs to get done can leave me completely drained. By the time I get home, the last thing I want to do is study for an exam or finish an assignment. However, having responsibilities outside of work means that my day does not end when my shift does, and customers who say, “oh your job is easy though”, don’t understand. Working an eight-hour shift on top of classes, studying, homework, clubs, and trying to keep a social life, leaves me absolutely drained by the end of the day, and even drained from the moment I wake up just thinking about the day I have ahead of me.
Another challenge is dealing with customers. While many people are kind and understanding, others can make an already stressful shift/day much worse. Employees are expected to remain polite and professional, even when customers are impatient or disrespectful. Not to mention, I would beg to differ on most days that “the customer is always right”. Sometimes, we get blamed for things outside our control, such as delayed orders or understaffing, and during other times, I even have to put a smile on my face while hearing from a customer about how “incompetent” I am, and how I “don’t have a degree and don’t know what I’m talking about”. Despite these common challenges I face, I have learned that staying calm and doing my job is important, even when I am frustrated and have many unkind things I may want to say.
Busy shifts can be especially overwhelming, too. When orders start piling up and everyone needs something at once, it can feel like there is just not enough time. I have to multitask, communicate with coworkers, and make sure things get done correctly while working under pressure. However, it has taught me how important teamwork is, especially when everyone is trying to keep up.
Balancing work and college is another challenge I did not fully prepare for before experiencing it first handedly. Between classes, homework, exams, and shifts, finding time to relax can be difficult. Sometimes, while my friends are enjoying their free time, I am working. Earning my own money is definitely rewarding, but sacrificing time that could be spent studying, socializing, or resting can be extremely frustrating.
Despite these challenges, working in food service has taught me valuable lessons about patience, communication, and responsibility. It has also made me more appreciative of the people who work behind the scenes to keep restaurants running.
My personal experience has changed the way I view food service workers, myself. I now understand how much effort goes into making sure customers have a good experience, even when employees are exhausted or overwhelmed themselves. The next time you order food, remember that the person helping you is only human too, and has their own life and struggles outside of the building they’re in. A little patience, kindness, and appreciation can make someone’s difficult shift that much easier.
Working in food service is not always easy, but it is real work and a real job that deserves a little respect even though a degree isn’t required. Behind every meal is someone putting in the effort to get the job done, and I think that deserves more recognition.