I work in a kitchen. We are always told to not just stand around, that’s rule number one. Even if something’s on the stove, usually you can do something else while you wait for it.
EXCEPT
If it’s milk. “You stand right there and watch over it, do NOT leave.”
What’s even better is if you’re forced to leave because you need something from the fridge or something. So you dash into the back and get it and if someone wants to ask you something you just go “MILK! ON THE STOVE!” and everyone jumps out of your way and goes “oh shit, run!!!”
It’s the funniest thing I’ve ever encountered at work
In French we literally have an old saying, “I have milk on the fire” to say “I’m very busy at the moment”