I was punching a time clock at 14 in a restaurant, and worked my first 17 hour day there.
During high school I had my own apartment and worked to support myself.
I’ve never been a big fan of it though.
My son would help me from a very young age, and was a hard-worker from the get-go. I recall one job when he was only about nine or so humping up a hill with me checking the site out. The next week I was out with my real crew. they did a lot more complaining!
When he got his first real job the guy called him in and said “your interview will be how you do on your first day”. Server, set-up, busboy stuff. He put in 14 hours that first day!
He is at college and still works there. Although I have to remind him that his studies are more important than a part-time job.
I did have to tell him to watch what he was saying on twitter - he used to have cuss words every once in awhile. I’m not sure if me mentioning prospective employers changed his ways, or prospective girl friends.
I, too, was doing 60 hour weeks at the pizza place at age 14 and felt lucky. $1.10/hr, 1965.
Why not? I worked in a restaurant too when I was a teenager and those were some of the best memories of my life. I washed dishes, bussed tables, waited tables, took out the trash, made salads, filled in as short-order cook. I pretty much did it all and it was a blast. Free meals. Got to replace the kegs in the bar and I'd always pour a tall paper cup for myself - you know - just to test it out.
We blasted music in the kitchen all night long and this was the late 1970s so we had quite a blend of music.
I would go back to those days in a heartbeat - especially knowing what I know now. I'd be a billionaire today.