"Behind Every Burger": A tribute to all fastfood crew

Within those 8 months that I worked as a fastfood crew at McDonald's, I learned soo many things. The most important thing that I've learned there is to value every minute that's passing by.

Most of the time, I am assigned as the drivethru ordertaker. My shift is always in the morning that's why I get to encounter customers who are a bit ill-tempered because they just woke up. I learned that I MUST smile even if I still feel sleepy because it appears that it's also my responsibility to uplift their spirits before their senses are being awakened by the hearty breakfast meals we serve.Customer service isn't as easy as we all think. Professionalism is actually the key to deliver the service in its best quality. It's actually tiring. 8 straight hours, walang upuan. And those endless beeps and greetings like, 'Hi, good morning! Your order please?'. You would really have your knees sore. And your voice? Paos, syempre.

By the way, I worked there from April 2012 to December of the same year. Aaaand, I already miss it. Haha! I miss those early morning preparations of breakfast meals, those talks while getting ready for our shift, those free meals we enjoyed (especially the chicken with tons of rice hahaha), and those tambay moments after our 8-hour shift.

Back then, on our opening week, people already came in our branch and ordered and ate like there's no tomorrow! It's overwhelming that they still choose to fall in the neverending line just to taste the McDonald's goodness and to experience the ambiance in our store. Haha! Kung ako din naman ang nasa lugar nila, gagawin ko din yun. We had a really huge and cozy store. Parang bahay talaga ang aura. Pero sa part naming mga crew, sobrang lawit na yung dila namin dahil inabot halos lahat kami ng 17 hours sa shift dahil suuperb daming tao. We're really lucky because managers and crew from other branches helped us manage the massive volume of customers that time.

Also, within the 8 months I spent there, I encountered many customers who treated us like we're slaves. Back when I was having a training in Mcdonald's San Pedro branch, I was assigned in the customer area. Meaning, I mop the floors, sweep, clean the tables and manage the trash receptacles. My buddy in the lobby that time took his break. That's why I was left all the duties he's responsible with. The store there also had many customers and it's really hard to maintain the cleanliness, especially of the floor. There was a customer who kept on asking me to bring her water and to order additional stuff for her. She was with her husband and two kids. I had nothing against what she did but she or her husband could just walk to the counter and ask what they need. But I did not tell them that because that's impolite. That's added service for the customers, but I hope they also understand what the crew is going through.

Another experience that I had was on a Sunday morning. There's a church beside our branch that's why after the holy mass, people come over and eat at our branch. I was assigned at the last window of the drivethru, presenting orders and stuff. We had long lines at the dining area and at the drivethru. Plus, bulk orders are showering us. I was busy preparing the order of the first car. Sadly, many of the assigned crew on that day did not make it to the store to help survive the shift. If I'm not mistaken, I was waiting for another sandwich that the customer in the first car ordered. While I was waiting, a girl from the third car came out and said, "Ano ba kayo! Ang tatanga ninyo! Kung di niyo kayang i-serve tong gantong karaming tao, magsara na kayo!" And, of course, I was shocked. Really. I can't remember how I reacted that time. But all I knew is that I heard all what she said and I also wanted to pull her hair and say, 'Ikaw kaya tumao dito?' But once again, you can't be impolite to your customers, despite all the pressure and knife-like words.

Well... Enough of those ugly memories, now, I want to talk about the heartwarming moments I've had there.

By the way, here's myself and half of Kuya Mhon's face. 

This is one of the few pictures I've had, 

wearing my uniform. Hihihi

Believe it or not, I had many customers in the drivethru who already knew me because I work everyday there in the morning. I'm happy because they recognize me even though it's just my voice they were hearing from the speaker post (the 'order here' spot), then at the first window they would say, 'Sabi na nga ba ikaw yan, Max!'

Also, the old man who always orders 3 tall cups of coffee then requests us to put it in his thermos. Haha! Ang cute lang. Laging ako ang natyetyempuhan niyang naka-duty. So I guess that's why he recognizes me whenever he goes there.

 Aaand, the lady who always wears shades and orders 'pancake and coffee'.  At first, I was a bit irritated because when I talk to her through ths speaker post,

Me: Hi good morning, your order please?
Lady: Pnnncke and cofffffhh (it's really inaudible)
Me: Sorry ano pong order nila?
Lady: PANCAKE AND COFFEE!

Then she went to the first window. I asked her if her order was the 2-pc hotcake or the one with 3-pcs. She said that it's just the 2-piece hotcake with regular coffee. And from then on, I already know that it's her whenever I hear that 'pancake and coffee' thing
! And I already know that it is she who wants her coffee mixed with a sachet of Splenda. Hahaha! O diba, adik lang ako? Bakit ba hanggang ngayon kabisado ko pa to? :))

Plus, the kid named Clyde who always orders his baon for school. And his dialog, "chicken fillet with rice, coke yung drinks," Hahaha!

And those people who kept on asking me kung natutulog pa ba ako, dahil ginagabi ako sa store, pero nakikita pa din nila ako early morning kinabukasan.

 Waaaah, i really missed those days. But syempre, I chose to explore the bigger world and study again. It's not enough that I end up there as a fastfood service crew. But I really am grateful for all of the experience, learnings and fun!

To those other guests who treat fastfood people like slaves, wake up. You're talking to humans. You know what, remembering our names and calling us by it is already a SPECIAL gift to us. Because it means that you are aware of what we feel as we do our work and you respect it. A simple 'thank you' can make our day. Nothing is more special than feeling appreciated by the customers.

To those customers who are really warm to the fastfood crew, we really appreciate your kindness and you ease our everyday stress, physically and emotionally.

To all the fastfood service crew, be it in Jollibee, KFC or any other fastfood chain, I SALUTE YOU. This job isn't easy but you still choose to smile and give your best in every customer you encounter. And, smiling isn't easy when you feel all tired and down. Good luck and God bless on your journey and keep serving great food! ;)