Fast Food Restaurants 101

     As I lay in bed last night trying to drift off into blessed sleep, I began to think about fast food restaurants and the courtesies that are starting to fade away. I soon became concerned with the behaviors that I have seen first hand in fast food restaurants, both behind the counter and as a guest. It seems because fast food restaurants are not really considered restaurants, the courtesy and hospitality expected at a regular sit-down restaurant, are not being carried over. I want to briefly touch base with expected hospitality and courtesy that needs to be reintroduced to the fast food industry and it's consumers.

Behind the Counter

     I have been working at a fast food restaurant for the last year. The restaurant that I work at emphasizes in hospitality for our "guest" and to provide a sit-down atmosphere, whilst enjoying a great meal. Because this mentality has lodged itself into my brain, I begin to expect the same hospitality at other fast food restaurants. Naturally that hospitality did not carry over. I was shocked at the uncleanliness that I found, the snide comments that the workers made about the customers, and the unhelpfulness that dominated the very air in the store. Sometimes I felt like the employees took my order and then stopped caring about me after they got my money. Sadly this ideal has become the norm for most fast food restaurants.
     Here are a few tips for the employees behind the counter. First, remember that you are getting paid to be welcoming and hospitable to the customers. They are spending money on gas to get to your store, then they are paying for the food that they order from you. Just because you don't like their appearance does not mean that gives you the right to be snide to another. Second, your guests are expecting a clean atmosphere. That desire is quite hard to appease if your bathrooms have toilet paper on the floor, and who knows what smeared on the stalls and mirrors. Oftentimes, when I walk into a restaurant I judge the cleanliness of the store as a harbinger quality of the food served. Third, just because you don't like your job, or have sore feet from standing too long does NOT mean that you can treat the customers poorly. Try to have a smile on your face, if not for you, for the customers
     Those are a few tips of many for those who work behind the front counter in a fast food restaurant.

The Guests

     Okay guys, I have a bone to pick with you. As I mentioned earlier, I have been working at a fast food restaurant for over a year. I have a few things to say to you. First of all, if you chose to come to a fast food restaurant that is known for the higher prices, be prepared to spend more money. Believe me, I hate it when I have to ask for the total amount from you. It is a lot, I know but I promise that the food is worth it. Second, as Albert Einstein once predicted, a time has come where everyone is too ensnared by technology that the art of socialization is beginning to fade away. While working at the drive thru window, I see too often that when I hand drinks and desserts to the customers that they are still texting. I often have to clear my throat just to hand them their receipt and credit card. That is inexcusable. Seriously, you can't put down your phone for 30 seconds? Third, at my restaurant, it is correct procedure to pull anyone who has food forward, even if there is no one behind them. I know that it can be frustrating, but lashing out at the person at the window is not fair, and often hurts more than you know. Fourth, prank calls. It may be fun for you and it may be amusing to watch on YouTube, but it costs the restaurants money, and time. Yesterday, for example, a young man came through the drive thru. All was fine, except when he asked for fry sauce (mayo + ketchup = Deliciousness) he quickly sped away. Not only was the food that he ordered waste, he could have seriously injured someone. Fifth, we are willing to remake food if something is not to your taste, but when you ask for fries and other things that were clearly not on the order to begin with, you are cheating the restaurant from money and that is stealing. No matter what.
      I know that I said some heavy things, but we all need to remember, no matter what side of the counter you are on, we are all human. The demise of courtesy and hospitality is depressing. I hope that we can all strive to become more charitable when we go out to eat.

A New Bedroom and New Beginnings

     For the last year I have been gradually, and not to mention slowly, working on my room. My ideas for a new room included possibly moving into the basement however, it did not work out. As I continued my education through high school, I began to understand that my room would possibly become a guest bedroom for relatives when they come to call. That particular thought kind of jumpstarted me into actually doing something. During general conference (April 2012) I began to take down the wallpaper and the trimming around the top of my room.
     It took another six months for me to have the time to get all my school stuff done, but by then I had a job...Another 6 months later I began to smooth out my walls, clean off doors, and walls and get the initial prep work done for painting. Another three month break and here we are again with all the trimmings and stuff done. I guess my mom was right; hard work and patience does pay off in the end. Here are a few pictures of my before and after. My room after a year of procrastination... :)

Before

 

 

After:

 

 



 

     Yup, there is my room for ya!