My first night as a dishwasher was a nightmare

Tonight was my first shift working as a dishwasher. I’m living in Germany as a student, so I need a job to support myself. That’s why I started working.

The first thing that happened when I arrived was a shock: they had already piled up three rolling carts full of dirty dishes. I’d been told there’s usually just one when you get there, so seeing three was… not a great start. I was really surprised, but I told myself, “It’s okay, I still have to do it. That’s the job.”

After washing the dishes, I also have to take them upstairs in the service elevator and put them away in their proper places. And let’s not even get started on the fact that I’m a foreigner—every single chef gave me a grumpy look. I still have to learn where everything goes, and there are so many different kinds of dishes.

My shift was supposed to end at 10 p.m., but I couldn’t finish in time. I had to stay until midnight to get it all done. When I finally finished, one of the guys there told me—angrily—that next time he’d just leave everything for me and not wait around. I apologized and explained it was my first night and I hadn’t expected this much work. I even tried to come in early.

It was honestly pretty shocking. And let’s not pretend it was pleasant: I’m washing dishes in a basement, it’s incredibly hot, and hard to breathe. I’m also too slow, apparently. To make things worse, my gloves tore, so now my hands are covered in cuts and scrapes, I didn't even sit, for 5 minutes, worked 6 hours constantly.

It’s tough, but I have to stick with it for at least a couple of months because I really need the job. Oh—and let’s not forget the best part: I was in such a rush trying to get the last cart upstairs that I forgot to turn off the lights before leaving. And you know how it is in Germany—tomorrow I’m probably going to get a bunch of angry looks or messages asking why the lights were left on.

God help me. I really hope I don’t get fired.