I was a cashier at Burger King when I was in high school....but longed
to work at the male dominated position of "grill man". Not because it
looked more glamorous (lol) than waiting on the public, but because
the owner said girls couldn't. I have been a feminist for as long as I
could remember and had successfully lobbied the Utica Observer-Dispatch
to allow me to be a "paperboy" when I was 12. It was such a big deal
that I made the front page! But that job was more about me hating
babysitting and having so few jobs available to kids my age.

Anyhow...I was thrilled and a bit smug when I was grudingly allowed to
try my hand at "grillman." OH MY GOD. They had microphones that would
transmit the orders over speakers into the grill area. No monitors with
printed orders. No screens or paper slips or ANYTHING visual. Just
rapid fire orders, complete with special requests (no pickles, extra
mayo, no salt on fries..etc). And all this from 5 registers plus a
drive thru. You would have to listen to all these orders and make the
food exactl as ordered..and ignore the parts that DIDN'T apply to
you...like beverages. Just think of trying to work at your job while 6
people shouted requests at you simutaneously!!! Ah well, it was great
training for becoming a wife and mother. :)

Butthe worst part was the heat. Even in the summer, I had to wear a
high collared polyester uniform with polyester hat (who designs this
stuff?!?) I worked behind a double grill with a bun steamer to the left
of me, a bun toaster behind me, and deep fat fryers to the right of
me. By the end of my shift I was absolutely wilted.


Lock Wench (who has a lot of respect for those who slave behind the
counters)