Along with that it's a job where I have to deal with people who think that I have an IQ less than the cost of the meal they're buying.
I told my brother that I wanted to quit as soon as I could, and he told me that, hey it was a paycheck...something I've been told over and over again.
But look, money doesn't matter to me, and I wonder how much my time with my family, and how much my self respect, how being able to stand up without being in pain, costs me, is the minimum wage (before they take out taxes so I'm actually only get 78% of what I make) an equal trade off? I honestly don't think so.
I know someone who got a job last year in food service, and was getting bad hours, and bad pay (entry level job... not that surprising). But a few weeks into it she got accused of stealing money (by someone who had almost none of the facts and just assumed it was her), and got fired, for all of two hours, when they figured out that they had just done something wrong with the register, and begged her to come back. When I heard that story, I said I would have quit in an instant. I really wouldn't want to work somewhere where they fire me for something I didn't do, and something that they know almost none of the facts for. Again, people instantly told me.. that hey it was a paycheck. But seriously is working with people who don't trust you at all, and don't respect you worth it? For horrible hours... and minimum wage? I don't like most of my job, but I love most of the people I work with. That's one of the only reasons I can deal with it.
I know that I'm 18, and I can't say that I know the true value of money, so maybe... In a few years I won't agree with anything in this post. But right now...I just don't know how much minimum wage is worth.
It is stupid how expensive life is. And it's obnoxious how hard it is to get an entry level job. But at some point... It is something you have to deal with. And yes, that really really does stink. But it's not the end of the world. So instead of ranting to you like I've been doing to my friend Danni all week... here's some advice.
If you haven't gone to college yet, and are planning on going away for college, get a job sooner rather than later. It's extremely hard to get a job for just a summer. I wish I had gotten a job earlier in high school, and I could have worked through this summer, and have some more money saved up.
No matter what job you have, don't let it, or the people you deal with make you think any less of yourself. You are an amazing person, no matter what job you have.
Don't let a job get too much in the way of seeing the people you love. Yes you have to work, and yes there's going to be times where you can't see your friends or family because you have to work, but don't let it take every moment you have. What's more important, spending time with those people you love, or money? Yes you need to make money to survive, but don't let it take over your life.... it shouldn't be the most important thing.
Finally... Here's something a new friend has taught me- always find something to be positive about. I promise you there's always something. In her words, if you're on you half break in an 8 or 9 hour shift, don't look at it as only thirty minutes, look at it as thirty glorious minutes to enjoy yourself and recharge. Find a friend who texts back fast, and send them a message on your break, or call them! If they can make you smile, it's worth it. I call my family every day on my break to talk, sometimes it's the only communication we have with each other all day. I text my friends and they always find a way to make me laugh. There's always a reason to smile.
And lastly, find someone who's okay with you venting. It's gonna need to happen, find someone who will let you vent, but will also slap you back into shape when you're stuck in a pit of self pity. (Don't worry everyone does it).
Alright I hope that this helped you somewhat, and it wasn't too ranty.
Alright, thanks for reading!!! I love you guys. :)
