Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Uniform


Uniform
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When I was a young waitress in 1970 working the graveyard shift at McGregor's Truck Stop in Anoka, I couldn't figure out why there was this sudden rash of truckers ordering malts...in the winter...at night?  But I'd dutifully go scoop out the ice cream from those huge round cardboard containers in that deep freezer in the corner, put together the malt ingredients, stick it on the machine, get the glass and tall spoon ready, and deliver it with a smile--proud of the fact that we also gave the customer the rest of the malted that was left in the big silver mixing cup.
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One night when I had all three of the spots full on the mixer I walked over to one of my regular truckers and asked what in the world was the deal with all the malts?  He looked into my eyes and, apparently, couldn't lie to me.  "It's the uniform".  He lowered his head. 
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The light bulb finally went off.  
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Not quite five foot two, short uniform, leaning over the deep freeze...
Goodness!  
I always pulled the back of my uniform down before I started--but I also knew how intensely involved I become in whatever I was doing...OMG!  They might have seen my undies for all I knew!  I'm sure my eyes flew wide open.
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Shame on you! I scolded.  
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There was a clammer of laughter (mine included) and a slew of red faces (mine included).
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I kept a long sweater jacket on top of the freezer and tied it around my waist when I had to lean in deep to scoop.  After a few days (and some good natured whining and complaining from the guys) nobody ordered malts until the heat of summer.  ;)
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I still think about this and giggle.
In honor of my naiveté, 
I have a few quotes today.
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"My life has been one great big joke,
a dance that's walked, a song that's spoke,
I laugh so hard I almost choke
when I think about myself."
Maya Angelou

"If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don't want to go there."
Martin Luther

"I love people who make me laugh.  I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh.  It cures a multitude of ills.  It's probably the most important thing in a person."
Audrey Hepburn

34 comments:

stephen Hayes said...

I need something to cool me down after thinking about you bent over with an ice cream scoop in your hand. A nice chocolate shake would do.

Rita said...

LOL! Coming right up! *she says as she ties on the sweater jacket* ROFL! ;)

Toriz said...

Too funny! Bet you made their nights! ;)

Rita said...

Tori--I guess I did for a little while--LOL! ;)

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Now this was funny I could just picture you having to bend over and scoop the ice cream out showing off your undies for all to see.......lol

Rita said...

Jo-Anne--LOL! Young and dumb! ;)

Anonymous said...

Rita you are my kinda gal! I swear I do stuff like that all the time and when I figure out what's going on it's usually to late! Love your face lady!

Dee said...

Dear Rita, . . . oh, the scene I have in my mind--the scene you've painted so well with words. You bending over, the men probably leaning forward to gaze their full, and your intentness on making a perfect malt.

What a delightful story. Thank you.

In my Saturday posting I'm going to post the URL for your two other April stories. I so want many readers to come to this--your story blog.

Peace.

Rita said...

Melynda--LOL! I could get so focused on what I was doing that I could forget about a lot of little things--like my panties showing! I still can, but I dress appropriately so my panties are not an issue--ROFL!! ;)

Dee--Thanks so very much, lady! For the compliments and for the links. You are too kind!! :):)

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

Oh gosh - my first job was as an ice cream scooper in the early a970's - the days of the mini skirt. We'd bend over those tubs scooping the ice cream and had to go waaaay over when it was almost empty. I know it was a popular place for more than just the ice cream!!

Rita said...

Melissa--LOL! You know exactly how difficult it was to get the ice cream from the bottom of those ice cream cartons! I bet this did bring back memories. ;)

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

This is such a cute post! I would have turned red too LOL!

Crystal said...

I'm LOL. :-)

Rita said...

Glad you enjoyed it, Crystal. It still makes me giggle to think about it. ;)

DavidShag said...

The days when we began our work life always seem to yield some funny stories - most of them embarrassing at the time. A lot is lost when we become "good at our jobs." And I remember - and I loved - those places that gave you the metal container with the leftover shake or malt along with your tall glassful of the ambrosian concoction!

Rita said...

You're so right. Some of the funniest (and sometimes most embarrassing) things happened while we were learning something. ;)
Ahhh, yes! I loved the "real" malts and shakes when they used to give you the extra in the big metal tin. Hard to find these days. It seemed to make them extra delicious. :)

A Plain Observer said...

funny story but it also makes me wonder how desperate are men that they go to a store to see girl's panties. Sick creatures.

Rita said...

So funny, Myriam!! But actually they came there to eat regardless of whether they could see my panties or not because they were truckers on a route. ROFL!! :)

Francene Stanley said...

Laughter makes me feel better no matter what the problem. I heard once that the grimace evolved from a primate's fear. Strange how this has evolved.

Rita said...

Thanks so much, Fran!
I never heard that, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Have a wonderful week! :)

Shelly said...

Oh, I would have been mortified! What a funny post~

Rita said...

Thanks, Shelly!
Yes, I felt pretty embarrassed!

Sherry Ellis said...

Funny story! It's good you were able to laugh at yourself!

Rita said...

Thanks, Sherry. I've always had a pretty good sense of humor. I thought it was funny at the time--embarrassing, but funny. ;)

Jenny Woolf said...

Great story :D I love the way you are so upbeat, Rita!

Rita said...

Thanks, Jenny!! :):)

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Loved it! I never worked in a malt shop, but if I did, this sounds exactly like the sort of thing that would've happened to me.

If we can laugh at ourselves, we'll never run out of things to amuse us.

Rita said...

How true! How true! I have never run out of amusement--LOL! ;)
Thanks, Susan.

Cazzy said...

Oh no that is too funny! Men!

Rita said...

LOL! It did teach me something about men! ;)

Ramblingon said...

Oh yes. Let me share one. When I came into work, I had to pick up a vehicle key. The person in charge always tossed it onto the floor in front of me. He laughed and I was in a hurry so I just leaned forward and picked it up land went on my way As a lady of some proportion, it took months...MONTHS for me to figure it out!!! zOf course the key toss might also be guided by what top I happened to be wearing.

Rita said...

ROFL! That sounds like something I would miss, too--obviously! I didn't have the chest back then, though--LOL! Our innocent days!!

Nas said...

Haha...good one! Made me chuckle. What an experience!

Rita said...

Thanks, Nas! I was a little naive--LOL!