So...what the duece?

[jokersarewild]

Why exactly are fast food workers considered to be sub-human by those in other jobs? Why do fast food customers seem to view us as worthless pions? Does someone have insight into this?

[timesjoke]

It is natural for humans to create a "pecking order".

 

I think your claim of being seen as "sub-human" is a tad over done but the workers are seen as the least desirable segment of the work force. Who actually "wants" to work at a fast food establishment?

 

If given a choice between cleaning out the deep fryer for $7.00 an hour or working at a desk making $28.00 an hour, what would you think the average fast food worker would choose as the most desirable?

 

I personally do not look down on that level of worker, but I also know that it is up to that individual to change their own life "if they want to". I actually employ a couple minimum wage guys every now and then for unskilled labor when I am very busy with construction and do not want to pay a higher wage person for trips to the dump and such.

 

Several of them have moved up to trade work for me or people I know where I recommended them for a job. Most have been fired for not showing up for work or being lazy, or they just quit because it was 'too hard' for them.

 

 

 

 

An interesting story:

 

I worked at a fast food place called Krystal's for three months as a teenager. I went into work to pick something up on my day off and saw they had two guys working three grills for rush when I ran all three grills by myself when I worked so I went to the manager and requested a raise.

 

I explained that if I could do the work of two guys then I deserved a raise. The manager tried to bully me and told me no, so I quit. And yes, I took great delight in going by and seeing them work two guys to replace me, lol.

 

My point is even as a teenager I knew my worth and while I was willing to work harder than those around me, I also felt I should be compensated for my greater and more productive work, so I kept looking for a place where I could get that kind of compensation.

[Ahhlee]

I currently own a fast food restaurant and also work there, so I know where you're coming from. It's damn hard work and I think anyone who is busting their butt in order to make a living and not sit at home playing video games, getting drunk and beating their kids deserves some respect.

 

I can't stand seeing people treat those in the service industry poorly. Once I walked out on a date because he was being an absolute ass to the waitress while we were out for supper. I could never be with someone that arrogant and rude. Good riddance.

 

If you're content doing what you are doing and it pays the bills, then more power to you.

[emkay64]

Never thought people in the service industry were subhuman at all. We need people everywhere in all sectors of the workforce. If you like it there screw whoever looks down on you. If you hate it there work towards moving in a different direction.

[snafu]

My son got his first job this year at McDonalds just before school got out. He's only 15 so he can't work a full 40 yet but he's on time and tries to get as many hours as he can. He got employee of he month last week and I'm damn proud of him.

[emkay64]

I WISH I had worked at McDonalds. I got to work for my Dad....in a dirty logging camp cooking. I stated the summer I turned 10....and I got to work a 16 hour day because my Dad didn't believe in special treatment.

 

I took a job at 14 as a check out girl at the Co-Op lol...because a "regular" job was much easier than working for my tyrant Dad (the pay sucked though) For the record...any job where you have to deal with whiny, ungrateful and rude people daily is a damn difficult job.

[Chi]

Why exactly are fast food workers considered to be sub-human by those in other jobs? Why do fast food customers seem to view us as worthless pions? Does someone have insight into this?

 

Because I guess they think that anyone can do that job, with no education or skills. It's the stereotype for that industry. And by demeaning other people they feel better about themselves.

 

I would take the advice already given to you - Feel good that you even have a job and at least are not a lazy freeloader and just work hard to move up and prove all those looking down at you wrong. Use it as motivation.

[Chi]

I WISH I had worked at McDonalds. I got to work for my Dad....in a dirty logging camp cooking. I stated the summer I turned 10....and I got to work a 16 hour day because my Dad didn't believe in special treatment.

 

I took a job at 14 as a check out girl at the Co-Op lol...because a "regular" job was much easier than working for my tyrant Dad (the pay sucked though) For the record...any job where you have to deal with whiny, ungrateful and rude people daily is a damn difficult job.

 

My first real legitimate job as soon as I turned 16 was at a dept store, Montgomery Ward to be exact. Most customers were very nice and decent, but I remember a customer or two who got psy-cho... Because I wouldn't take back their obviously used & old merchandise, ran out of free gimmicky prizes for using their store credit card and the like.

 

Dealing with the pissed off customers at United was fun, too. Because it was my fault there was a blizzard or electrical storm and their flight got cancelled or delayed. Wouldn't they rather wait it out and live then leave right then and get killed??

[timesjoke]

Because I guess they think that anyone can do that job, with no education or skills. It's the stereotype for that industry.

 

It is a stereotype sure, but also fairly accurate.

 

Anyone "CAN" do that job almost right off the street. No education, no problem, and if you stick around for 6 months you just might be the manager, lol.

 

 

Again, I am not saying it is right to think bad about those workers, just that it is what it is and trying to see it any other way is a waste of time.

 

 

If we paid every worker in America the same amount of money and benefits who would waste their time in college to get a degree? Who would want to spend 8 years breaking their nards to get a doctor's degree if he can make the same money flipping burgers?

[RoyalOrleans]

Why exactly are fast food workers considered to be sub-human by those in other jobs? Why do fast food customers seem to view us as worthless pions? Does someone have insight into this?

 

Did you mean peon?

 

A peon is best defined as a group of laborers with little to no control over their working conditions. Thus, in modern usage, peon can be a synonym for a slave or a thrall or a serf.

 

In that case, there is no such thing as a worthless peon. There are, however, worthless people. Plenty of them.

 

To answer your question...

 

I don't look down my nose at what someone does to make money, but if you're working for minimum wage for more than a couple months... it's time to rethink your career path.

 

I, for one, don't like fast food. I like good food... fast.

[eddo]

My cousin makes a pretty penny working for McDonalds. He started flipping burgers while in high school, and is now one of their field matienence people. He fixes everything there is to fix in a McDonalds.

[timesjoke]

My cousin makes a pretty penny working for McDonalds. He started flipping burgers while in high school, and is now one of their field matienence people. He fixes everything there is to fix in a McDonalds.

 

Exactly.

 

I also know a lady who started working for Hardee's as a second job. 11 years later she is now a reginal manager of some sort, not sure of her title but she travels three days a week to different stores doing different things for the head office.

 

I believe she told me she makes around 60k now so there are ways to make money with these companies that is very good.

[Chi]

My cousin makes a pretty penny working for McDonalds. He started flipping burgers while in high school, and is now one of their field matienence people. He fixes everything there is to fix in a McDonalds.

 

Exactly.

 

I also know a lady who started working for Hardee's as a second job. 11 years later she is now a reginal manager of some sort, not sure of her title but she travels three days a week to different stores doing different things for the head office.

 

I believe she told me she makes around 60k now so there are ways to make money with these companies that is very good.

 

Yes, but that's very different than what JAW is talking about. Owning a restaurant (like Ali) or being a Regional Manager, Exec, etc. of a fast food place is going to get you much more respect than the "peons" JAW is talking about of course.

[timesjoke]

Yes, but that's very different than what JAW is talking about. Owning a restaurant (like Ali) or being a Regional Manager, Exec, etc. of a fast food place is going to get you much more respect than the "peons" JAW is talking about of course.

 

Oh I agree, some people do look down on those who work in the "lowly possitions" as he is describing but my point from the start is it does not matter how other people see you. All that matters is if you want more then go get more, it is all up to you.

 

 

You can't live your life being concerned about how other people see you. Look at myself for example. Most of the regular posters here have called me every nasty or dirty name you can imagine just because they do not like my views on things. Some people will always look down on other people and it is only the latest excuse that changes.

[Chi]

Oh I agree, some people do look down on those who work in the "lowly possitions" as he is describing but my point from the start is it does not matter how other people see you. All that matters is if you want more then go get more, it is all up to you.

 

 

You can't live your life being concerned about how other people see you. Look at myself for example. Most of the regular posters here have called me every nasty or dirty name you can imagine just because they do not like my views on things. Some people will always look down on other people and it is only the latest excuse that changes.

 

omg, I agree with you... Gah, I feel a little dizzy and nauseous having had said that... dazed

[Ahhlee]

Oh I agree, some people do look down on those who work in the "lowly possitions" as he is describing but my point from the start is it does not matter how other people see you. All that matters is if you want more then go get more, it is all up to you.

 

 

You can't live your life being concerned about how other people see you. Look at myself for example. Most of the regular posters here have called me every nasty or dirty name you can imagine just because they do not like my views on things. Some people will always look down on other people and it is only the latest excuse that changes.

 

Jeez, you call somebody a filthy scrotum sniffer ONE time....

 

I'm kidding....KIDDING! Everyone relax.

[timesjoke]

omg, I agree with you... Gah, I feel a little dizzy and nauseous having had said that... dazed

 

lol, well I am sure the feeling will pass

 

 

And Ali, I believe you discovered the only insult you havn't tossed at me just then, try to keep that handy so you can fix this error at your next opportunity.

[Ahhlee]

And Ali, I believe you discovered the only insult you havn't tossed at me just then, try to keep that handy so you can fix this error at your next opportunity.

 

Okay!!!! Can do.

[jokersarewild]

Haha. Only TJ could turn this thread around to be about him. laughs Just kidding.

 

And yeah, I make just over minimum wage (I'm techinically a "supervisor", which means absolutely nothing to me, because a guy who smokes pot every day of his life makes 15 cents an hour more than I do and is so much of a pothead he performs like he has a mental handicap. He's a supervisor too, by the way.)

 

Now, I do understand the "anybody can do it" thing. That's just aggravating though. Sure, "anybody" can do it. But if you can do it for any somewhat good amount of time (turnover at the ol' KFC isn't quite as high as it is in other fast food places in the area), then you fare better than most people can. You get burnt out quickly. I've worked there for 2 years (yeah, I know, rethink my career choices), and it's not easy. The part that sucks is that you kind of get into a rhythm. You wake up, go to your ty job, then come home and do whatever. As long as you still get a paycheck, then it's not all that bad. But one day, you realize "HEY, I CAN'T STAND MY FSCKING JOB!" Then you apply to Wal-Mart. And you have a job there in less than a month (Orientation tomorrow. Starting pay is better than what I get paid to be a "supervisor" and the hours are better too.) So yeah. I'm totally done with that fast food crap.

 

And to TJ: I actually NEED(ed) my job, so I can't exactly go "Well, since you won't pay me enough to do the badass job I COULD do, I quit!" It's "well...that's ty." I just went with the "Match my work quality to my pay". I still do a good job. I just sleep better at night knowing that I'm not getting cheated out of they money I could get

 

And speaking of the whole "regional manager" thing: It IS possible to do that. The biggest problem with that is that you have to be a fast-food lackey for so long that most people can't handle it. As it stands, my boss WAS going to have me opening/closing the store, since I'm a "supervisor". However...she dropped the ball on it, and so I got ed out of moving up for the moment. But I get more hours working the mid-shift anyway. (So that b!tch.) My point is, it's not as easy to do it as it sounds. That 11 years? I believe it. My current General Manager at KFC has been there for 8. She's hoping to become a District Manager at some point, I believe. But unlike most managers, she's actually out on the floor packing/taking orders the whole time. Doing that for 8 years would probably drive me to become an alcoholic. And since she pulls down 2k a month PLUS 10% store profit(which generally is about another 2k, give or take, plus benefits and such), then I would be able to afford a lot of alcohol. Or, I could just get another job that pays better than hers (hopefully by the time I'm her age[24]). Then laugh as I don't actually have to work in fast food to make that much. And then maybe I'll buy a mansion. And hookers. And cocaine. It'll be pretty neat.

[timesjoke]

Haha. Only TJ could turn this thread around to be about him. laughs Just kidding.

 

And yeah, I make just over minimum wage (I'm techinically a "supervisor", which means absolutely nothing to me, because a guy who smokes pot every day of his life makes 15 cents an hour more than I do and is so much of a pothead he performs like he has a mental handicap. He's a supervisor too, by the way.)

 

Well your story about the pot head makes the point of why most people see that level of worker as fairly low. Hard to respect that the workers can abuse drugs and nobody cares.

 

 

 

 

And to TJ: I actually NEED(ed) my job, so I can't exactly go "Well, since you won't pay me enough to do the badass job I COULD do, I quit!" It's "well...that's ty." I just went with the "Match my work quality to my pay". I still do a good job. I just sleep better at night knowing that I'm not getting cheated out of they money I could get

 

This is the hardest mentality to get out of guys who I hire for basic labor. They have it in their minds that they will only work so much because their rate of pay is low in their opinion.

 

Here is the problem with that:

 

You set your trends of work and even if you do step up the pace a little after a raise, you will fall back on the pace you have always known. I never give a raise to someone until they have earned it and show they can consistently work to that standard and every raise is probationary for 90 days so if they drop their pace, I take it back, and possibly let them go because they have dissapointed me at that point.

 

 

 

 

 

But, good for you in getting away from that mess and moving on. I don't really like Wal-Mart because I see them as part of our lost jobs problem but I don't begrudge anyone working for them. I just do not shop there myself unless I have to.

 

Starter jobs are like starter homes, you keep trying to work your way up to better levels until you feel you have what you feel is good for you. Some people stay happy with the fast food and a trailer to live in, some never find enough, Most really happy people are in the middle somewhere.

[snafu]

Well your story about the pot head makes the point of why most people see that level of worker as fairly low. Hard to respect that the workers can abuse drugs and nobody cares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the hardest mentality to get out of guys who I hire for basic labor. They have it in their minds that they will only work so much because their rate of pay is low in their opinion.

 

Here is the problem with that:

 

You set your trends of work and even if you do step up the pace a little after a raise, you will fall back on the pace you have always known. I never give a raise to someone until they have earned it and show they can consistently work to that standard and every raise is probationary for 90 days so if they drop their pace, I take it back, and possibly let them go because they have dissapointed me at that point.

 

 

 

 

 

But, good for you in getting away from that mess and moving on. I don't really like Wal-Mart because I see them as part of our lost jobs problem but I don't begrudge anyone working for them. I just do not shop there myself unless I have to.

 

Starter jobs are like starter homes, you keep trying to work your way up to better levels until you feel you have what you feel is good for you. Some people stay happy with the fast food and a trailer to live in, some never find enough, Most really happy people are in the middle somewhere.

 

I'm sorta seeing this in an other perspective. I joined the Navy at 17. I started my job at the USPS at the age of 20. I have no other skills but when I retire I either need another job or lower my life style. I did do a few courses for computer repair and networking but it's already obsolete. I would have to continue training until I retire and that's a minimum of 3 more years. So what do I do? I'm on the other side of the specrtum.

[RoyalOrleans]

You can't live your life being concerned about how other people see you. Look at myself for example. Most of the regular posters here have called me every nasty or dirty name you can imagine just because they do not like my views on things. Some people will always look down on other people and it is only the latest excuse that changes.

 

Fukker!

 

C NT!

 

Sh!theel!

 

Cokksukker!

 

Ok... it's out of my system now.

 

Oh wait...

 

Asshole!

 

There.

[RoyalOrleans]

Haha. Only TJ could turn this thread around to be about him. laughs Just kidding.

 

And yeah, I make just over minimum wage (I'm techinically a "supervisor", which means absolutely nothing to me, because a guy who smokes pot every day of his life makes 15 cents an hour more than I do and is so much of a pothead he performs like he has a mental handicap. He's a supervisor too, by the way.)

 

Now, I do understand the "anybody can do it" thing. That's just aggravating though. Sure, "anybody" can do it. But if you can do it for any somewhat good amount of time (turnover at the ol' KFC isn't quite as high as it is in other fast food places in the area), then you fare better than most people can. You get burnt out quickly. I've worked there for 2 years (yeah, I know, rethink my career choices), and it's not easy. The part that sucks is that you kind of get into a rhythm. You wake up, go to your ty job, then come home and do whatever. As long as you still get a paycheck, then it's not all that bad. But one day, you realize "HEY, I CAN'T STAND MY FSCKING JOB!" Then you apply to Wal-Mart. And you have a job there in less than a month (Orientation tomorrow. Starting pay is better than what I get paid to be a "supervisor" and the hours are better too.) So yeah. I'm totally done with that fast food crap.

 

And to TJ: I actually NEED(ed) my job, so I can't exactly go "Well, since you won't pay me enough to do the badass job I COULD do, I quit!" It's "well...that's ty." I just went with the "Match my work quality to my pay". I still do a good job. I just sleep better at night knowing that I'm not getting cheated out of they money I could get

 

And speaking of the whole "regional manager" thing: It IS possible to do that. The biggest problem with that is that you have to be a fast-food lackey for so long that most people can't handle it. As it stands, my boss WAS going to have me opening/closing the store, since I'm a "supervisor". However...she dropped the ball on it, and so I got ed out of moving up for the moment. But I get more hours working the mid-shift anyway. (So that b!tch.) My point is, it's not as easy to do it as it sounds. That 11 years? I believe it. My current General Manager at KFC has been there for 8. She's hoping to become a District Manager at some point, I believe. But unlike most managers, she's actually out on the floor packing/taking orders the whole time. Doing that for 8 years would probably drive me to become an alcoholic. And since she pulls down 2k a month PLUS 10% store profit(which generally is about another 2k, give or take, plus benefits and such), then I would be able to afford a lot of alcohol. Or, I could just get another job that pays better than hers (hopefully by the time I'm her age[24]). Then laugh as I don't actually have to work in fast food to make that much. And then maybe I'll buy a mansion. And hookers. And cocaine. It'll be pretty neat.

 

.

[Ahhlee]

Fukker!

 

C NT!

 

Sh!theel!

 

Cokksukker!

 

Ok... it's out of my system now.

 

Oh wait...

 

Asshole!

 

There.

 

Woah, tiger!

 

hands RO a moist towelette

[snafu]

Fukker!

 

C NT!

 

Sh!theel!

 

Cokksukker!

 

Ok... it's out of my system now.

 

Oh wait...

 

Asshole!

 

There.

 

I really don't know where all this love is comming from. What's with all the name calling? Bender and wez, you two too. Good Grief!