Life, at least my life, isn’t exactly what I had in mind. The last place I thought I’d be working is a hamburger joint. I still can’t believe I applied here. Actually, I’m just glad to have a job. My Mother had great aspirations for me, as all Mothers do for their children. She used to tell me there are lessons to learn in every situation, but even she would be appalled that my life has brought me here. When I told my friends I have a job flipping burgers they all laughed, except one. She was actually proud of me. Reassuring me that honest work brings it’s own rewards.
As I got ready to go to work my first day, I felt like a looser. Flipping burgers is for illegal Mexicans, and teen-agers. I was neither. I put on my uniform and hastily put a coat over it. It’s not really cold outside, but I didn’t want anyone to see me in my Wendy’s outfit when I walked to my car. As I drove into the parking lot, I had to swallow a big lump of pride. I kept telling myself that honest work brings it’s own rewards.
I walked into the restaurant and was greeting in Spanish by several Mexicans. Great, I thought to myself, just great. Norma is the shift leader and she was expecting me. She asked Yessica to teach me how to make salads and start the prep for the line. Yessica showed me how to clean the lettuce, and put it through a chopper. She kindly corrected me when I forgot to remove the lettuce hearts. The radio was blaring with Mexican music. I found myself swaying while I worked. Yessica smiled at me, and asked me a question in Spanish. I shrugged my shoulders, not understanding her. She then asked me again, in English this time, why I wanted to work there. I told her it was the best job I could find, and the work is honest. She smiled and told me I must not be a Gringo. The others laughed when she made that statement. I laughed as well, and told her I wasn’t a Gringo. I got the feeling that Gringo means more than a white person.
Over the next few weeks Yessica taught me well. She trained me on the fryers, the grill, and finally the cash register. I hated the grill and the fryers. The oil got into my sinuses and the smell stayed with me for hours after work. Yessica worked so hard. She told me this was her third job. She also cleaned rooms at a hotel, and waited tables at a local diner in the evenings. She usually worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week, to support her self, and save money. Jessica planned on attending the University in Mexico City to become a teacher. She also sent her widowed sister money, to help support her and her three children. Even though she worked so hard, Yessica seemed content, as did the others I work with. I often wondered what their secret was.
I still have not become accustomed to the way customers behave. Our restaurant is in an affluent; middle class, predominantly white area. Often the customers are impatient, and demanding. Treating us with no respect and ordering us around like we’re their servants. One afternoon a particularly snooty upper-middle class businessman came in. He’d placed his order, and then revised it. Yessica missed the revision, and gave him a hamburger with an onion on it. He marched up to the counter and threw it at her, calling her a stupid, wetback. I jumped over the counter and told him in no uncertain terms what a jerk he was, that money doesn’t buy class, and he’s proof of that statement. The man turned red in the face. I raised my hand to hit him, when Yessica grabbed my arm. No, she told me. This man is nothing more than a Gringo, a white person who only sees money, and has no soul. The man quickly left the restaurant muttering about illegals taking over his country.
After I calmed down Yessica gently explained to me the Gringo is to be pitied, as they don’t understand that life is about more than money and prestige. They spend their days making and spending money trying to find the source of happiness. But the Gringo never finds true contentment. The peace that comes from honest work, and taking care of your family. Finally I understood, life is so much more than a paycheck. I couldn’t wait to get home and call my Mother. To tell her all about my wonderful new job, and the lessons I’ve learned.