My first job was beyond cool, freezing actually. I worked at a Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream store. Now understand, I’ve got the body temperature of a shivering, teeth-chattering, whimpering reptile. I surprisingly survived constant reaching over 31 tubs of ice cream flavors – with absolutely no defibrillation paddles nor shiny, emergency thermal blankets nearby.

Even if a first job pays only minimum wage, which in California is now $8/hr, the experience is priceless. Minimum wage in 1983 was $3.35. My friend worked at The Wherehouse (similar to Blockbusters), starting at an epic $5 an hour!!!

But I got to “interact” with customers and learn about the power of the ice cream. Just a few memorable moments from my ice cream-slinging days when I actually used to be shocked and awe’d:

• There was an extra-large guy who came in once a week and asked for a “hand-packed” gallon of vanilla. It was sold by weight, so he’d keep saying “put more in there, put more in there,” until the ice cream would look up at me and say, “What do you think we are, sardines?” And each time, the Big Guy would say, “Leave off the lid and just give me a spoon.” (?!) And, as I watched him eat every last spoonful right there, that’s when I developed an involuntarily eyebrow lift like this –



• Then there was the creep who begged my co-worker to please put a scoop of ice cream in his shoe. *more involuntary eyebrow-twitching*
• Oh yeah, and the time that scary guy robbed me as I rang up his double scoop cone of chocolate chip. Yep, that’s it! Good times. *sigh*

And what was YOUR first job and how did it work out for you?

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