The Dumbest Thing I've Done: A Lesson in Workplace Etiquette and Impulsivity

Back in 1998, I was nineteen years old, seven months pregnant, and working at McDonald's. It was a challenging time, with the impending arrival of my first child and a full schedule to manage. My last shift of the day was approaching, and my mother and two sisters had come for a visit, driving from our home 45 minutes away. I had already taken my lunch break and was eager to clock out and meet my family.

Unwelcome Visitors and an Ungracious Guest

I stood at the counter, handing out trays of food to my visit. My mom suggested that they might wait for me to finish my shift before eating, but I reassured her that it was okay; I had already had my break. As we were talking, an elderly couple in a Mercedes pulled up, waiting their turn to order. They were dressed in sharp suits and dresses and looked like they could afford a more upscale restaurant.

The man at the counter, me, shifted uncomfortably. He remarked with a condescending tone, 'Could we order now? If it's not too much trouble.' My hormones were already on edge due to pregnancy, and his presumptuous remark set off a vicious internal flame.

I stared at him for a moment before exclaiming, 'What’ll you have, you old bastard?' He calmly gave his order, ignoring my insult, which only carried me further into a state of anger and frustration.

The Consequences of Impulsive Actions

After completing the order, I clocked out and sat down with my family. A few minutes later, my manager called me into her office. She asked, 'Did you call a customer a bastard?' I admitted, 'Yep, because he is,' and recounted the incident.

She explained, 'You realize we can't behave that way towards customers, even if they're rude. After all, how you treat others says a lot about you.' I countered with, 'Tell that to him!' pointing at my swollen abdomen.

Her response was a quiet shrug and a simple 'Okay then,' which I took as acquiescence. It wasn't until much later that I realized the full weight of my actions. My manager let it slide, but I knew that if I had continued on that path, things could have turned disastrous.

Wisdom and Reflection

In the end, I quit a few weeks later. It turned out to be a good decision, as I might have ended up in even more trouble. The experience taught me the importance of workplace etiquette and the dangers of letting impulsive actions control my behavior. Confronting the person responsible for bringing food to the kitchen upstairs while pregnant was not only foolish but also irresponsible.

The story serves as a stark reminder that no matter how challenging the circumstances, maintain your composure and professionalism. In today's highly competitive work environment, every decision you make reflects on you and your company. Impulsive actions can have lasting consequences, so it's crucial to act with maturity and thoughtful consideration.

Key Takeaways

Avoid impulsive actions in the workplace. Maintain professionalism and courtesy, even if a customer or coworker is rude. Reflect on the impact of your actions and behaviors on others and the company. Always prioritize your actions with respect and maturity.

Looking back, that incident might have been just a blip, but it holds a valuable lesson. My manager's willingness to let it go was not a sign of weakness but a testament to her understanding of the circumstances. Yet, it reinforced the importance of bowing out gracefully and not escalating a potentially harmful situation.