"I Dislike My Job"

After a quaint Sunday-night dinner in downtown Oakland, I stopped by one of the happiest places on earth: an ice cream parlor. Maybe it's just me, but ice cream parlors seem immune to the fads and tends of today's sweet-treat, hangout spots. Smoothie bars are out, and self-serve froyo is in...but ice cream parlors have been and will always be here.

Ice cream parlors have a distinct effect on your senses. The smell of freshly made waffle cones and the melting chocolate greet you like an old friend as soon as you enter the store. The store is a cheerful 78 degrees, but the freezer windows are ice cold to the touch. You see the mound of rainbow sprinkles, and even though they have no flavor, you can feel the unique sweetness in your mouth.

It's always obvious fun to watch a kid in an ice cream parlor, but if you want a real treat, watch their parents. Ice cream parlors are one of the rare places where you can actually see childish glee break through the stifling seriousness of adulthood. Adults roll their tongues along the poofy ice cream, slowly twisting the cone in their hand getting 360 degrees of creamy delight. They smile just big enough for you to remember that a 50 year old was once a 5 year old.

But amid all this happiness, my server secretly hated his job. This man wasn't rude to me or the customers. In fact, he was very cordial. It was the way he spoke: his words drooped slightly downward after they left his mouth. He scooped the ice cream with a lethargy yet efficiency that showed me he didn't enjoy the work itself, but he took his work seriously.

I sympathized with this employee. Despite a dislike for his occupation, he worked very hard. The line moved quickly. He gave generous portions. He was patient with children asking for samples. He was not a jerk. He understood the charming importance of the ice cream parlor; he just happened to dislike the work itself.

There was a dignified sense of dedication in this gentleman. His dislike for the job didn't adversely affect my experience. He had a sense of responsibility and pride I rarely have the privilege of witnessing. And I respect that.

In an emotional state that could very easily have turned sour, he kept his demeanor saccharine for the benefit of all us children expecting a sweet time.