So here it is, the summer after my freshman year of college. Instead of living the high life back home in Rockford, I'm in Blue Springs, MO working at the good 'ole Price Chopper grocery store. Now in this economy I know I'm lucky to even have a job, but after putting out more than 37 job applications I'm still bitter I didn't end up with a waitress job. None the less, I love working minimum wage because you get to meet such a diverse, an interesting crowd. You get such great stories and learn a few life lessons along the way.
Take today for example, I was checking out these rowdy teenage boys. The first kid's total came to exactly $30.00. Just making conversation I remarked on how lucky he was and how he ought to buy a lotto ticket. Well, he did just that! While he was going to scratch it off I told him I get half of whatever he win. Turns out my advice to get one was spot on. The kid won $100. Unfortunately we couldn't cash it for him, but he gave me $10 anyway! Made my night.
Sometime you get to see a different side of life, less optimistic. While working the express lane one day, an elderly gentleman came through with some sweets and cookies. As I checked him out, the 3o old guy behind him says to the older man, "I can't wait till my wife is gone so I can eat like that". The older gentleman replies, "Son, when that happens you'll want the Mrs. back more than you'll want the sugar." I was taken aback that the younger guy would say such a thing, but was touched by the missed love blatantly expressed by the grey-haired man.
It isn't just the customers that I've learned from either. It's the street smarts from my fellow coworkers. Those who have been working minimum wage for years usually have the best advice and the most encouragement. The know what life is really like. As a server at IHOP I knew women who had dealt with abusive relationships and multiple disabled children. Some had been working as servers their entire life, and made it work - going on yearly vacations! They all had different experiences, each with something to teach.
The more I think about what I've gotten from my teenage jobs, the more grateful I am for working at them. I don't think a child learns anything from filing papers at their parents' business. It's the process of finding a job, gaining interview skills, learning to work with others and learning from them that defines the work experience.
Just an idea that will likely never come to fruition: a book of compiled lessons learned from minimum wage jobs. Celebrity anecdotes of how their childhood work experiences aided them in their journey towards fame. Personal anecdotes from those going back to minimum wage jobs with the current economy. Etc. Just a thought.
