I Would Have Never Known

When I was 16 years old, I didn't have much friends that had a job at my age, and I didn't think that working was nothing more then a reason to get out of my house while getting paid.

My older sister who still lived with me back then had been pushing me to getting a job, and then one day she took me to the mall and up and down streets to gather applications and try to get interviews for jobs.

Because of the facts that I was very young, inexperienced, and was still in high school, many employers didn't give me a chance, but then II got a call back from a small restaurant.

I've heard of that place before and have ate there previously, but I never would have thought that I'd be working there. So to my excitement, I was hired and began my training.

At first I didn't know what to expect. I thought that most people were just naturally nice to each other, but I got a rude awakening. I was yelled at, given bad looks, insulted, and had something thrown at me by customers who I had to put up with.

As time went by, I left that job and worked in two more restaurants, both successful experiences, and dealing with customers one on one. My work experience with the public had opened my eyes to the kind of people that are out there in the world. I would have never imagined people be so impatient, rude, and just down right mean to each other and to strangers that are not trying to find a problem.

I find myself now, once again working in a restaurant and continuing to deal with customers, but not all customers are rude, some are actually nice and will say "goodnight" back to you when they leave. If I can take away anything from my experiences in the customer service industry is to never take for granted the kindness of strangers, because it's the trivial jestures, compliments, and the "thank you"'s that will always give me a sense of acomplishment and pride in my work environment.

Karen