Whistle while you Work

If you work in an office, your coworkers would probably get out the duct tape, if you whistled while on the job, assuming the boss hadn’t already called you into the office.  If you work outside or in a big open space, you might get away with it.  But, it certainly wouldn’t help increase your job opportunity, unless you were paid to be a professional whistler.  Yes, there is a man that gets paid to warble his way through life.

Weird Writer

Naturally, after reading about all of these weird and unique professions, you are probably wondering where you can find all of these unique individuals and see how they got into their strange position.

Well, they might have read the work of an odd job journalist.  Someone has to go and investigate these jobs, in order to make sure they are legitimate sources of income and not just someone’s lame attempt at ten minutes worth of fame.

Of course, this job would not be for just anyone.  You would have to be willing to travel a lot.  Also, as part of your journalistic endeavors, you would likely find yourself in some very weird and often dirty places, in order to get the scoop.

English Please

The last time you purchased something that had to be put together, did you happen to pay close attention to the instruction booklet?  You may have noticed that the instructions have been written in several different languages. Because societies have become so mobile, there is now a big melting pot of people that may not speak English as their first language.

9.  Make a Wish

If a draft from an open door causes your candle to flicker and go out, you better have had a chance to make a wish.  Supposedly, you are in store for some bad luck that will be coming your way, because an evil spirit is near.

10.  Do you have a Light?

It seems that some people believe that it is bad luck to light three cigarettes with the same match.  What do they expect to happen?  Oh yah!  Three people are just setting themselves up for diseases like emphysema and cancer.  I guess that is really bad luck.

11.  Chalk Please

Have you ever wondered why a person will draw a chalk circle around themselves in vampire movies?  It seems that there is a very real superstition that evil spirits cannot harm you, if you are standing in a circle.  Why not just build a round house?

12.  Lucky Coin

How many times have you looked down at the pavement, in front of a supermarket or quick shop and found a coin.  Boy!  It’s your lucky day!  Or, is it?  According to superstition, you shouldn’t pick up the ones that are tails side up.  Why not?  They all spend the same.

13.  Jiminy Cricket

Supposedly, if you have a cricket in your house, it means good luck.  However, what’s lucky about not being able to sleep, because they are chirping in your house, in the middle of the night?

14.  Dry Skin Alert

If the palm of your left hand is itchy, you are going to be paying out some money; conversely, if your right hand itches, you are about to come into some money.  But, realistically, it probably means you have been neglecting your dry skin and need some hand lotion.

Take a moment to once again reflect on the idea of waste not, want not.  Now, answer this question: what do you think happens to anything you flush down the toilet? In a few seconds, it is literally out of sight, out of mind.  But, you can’t seriously think that it just magically disappears, is reabsorbed into the earth and used as fertilizer or something.

While that concept of recycling sounds less offensive, the truth is a harsh reality for some poor guy or gal that works very hard every day in a waste water treatment plant. The water we flush is cleaned and treated to the point that it would actually be safe to drink. So, the next time you enjoy a glass or a bottle of water, someone in a waste treatment plant made it possible.

Looks can be Deceiving

If you would like to get paid for being such a tad bit sneaky, this might be the perfect job for you.  When you go to the market and buy citrus fruit, doesn’t it look yummy?  The lemons are such a bright yellow and the oranges are the epitome of a morning sunrise. But, you should know that someone is getting paid to make that fruit look extra appetizing, so it will make its way into your shopping cart.  People actually get paid to be citrus fruit dyers, in order to conceal how ripe the fruit really is, or hide imperfections that make it look less than delicious.

Lasso a Reptile

If danger and notoriety are things to which you aspire, you might want to check into the occupation of crocodile wrangler.  Of course, if you have cable television, you have probably seen people who entertain thousands every summer by subduing well feed crocs in captivity.

But, what about the guys that literally risk life and limb to keep the public safe.  If you live in a neighborhood near where crocodiles like hang out, you know that one occasionally visits a back yard.  Some pets have mysteriously disappeared, never to be seen again.  In order to make sure that the next victim of a hungry and wild crocodile isn’t a child, someone has to wrangle that beast into submission and move it away from populated areas.  It could be you.

Stay tuned.  These are but a few of the strange, yucky, and amazing jobs that people actually get paid to fulfill.  So, if you are looking for an interesting career change, you might want to consider something a little more unique than the regular 9-5 desk job.

The Best for Last

For many people, Chinese food is a real treat. Since it’s generally not normal cuisine, unless it’s part of your heritage, many of the dishes simply do not taste the same, if you try to make some of your favorite recipes at home.  Frozen Chinese food is a weak substitute at best.

So ordering Chinese takeout or going the restaurant is a real treat. Chances are good that you have found a personal favorite, have the menu semi-memorized and know exactly what you want to order, before even walking in the door.  The portions are generous and dessert is rarely considered.

But, the best is saved for last.  To sooth the pain of the meal ticket, you are presented with a fortune cookie. It’s fun to crack open the crisp cookie and peek inside, to see what good fortune is coming your way.  Everyone at the table has to compare fortunes.  But, have you every stopped to think who is behind those strange words of wisdom? Maybe you would love to have a job that makes other people’s days.  You could become a fortune cookie writer.

Have you Seen . . .?

For any animal lover, a dog, cat, turtle, gerbil, or any other creature is more than a pet.  These animals are a beloved member of the family.  For some, they are like a child, a best friend, a confidante, and more.  So, if that pet is missing, it’s devastating to the whole family.

In many cases, the pet simply got out and decided to check out the neighborhood.  If they don’t come back within the hour, it’s time to call the local dog catcher and see if your loved one was nabbed by the pet police.  After giving a report for a lost pet, the next step is to check around the neighborhood, create fliers, complete with a picture, and offer a reward for the safe return of your pal.

Then again, why not leave it to the professionals? You could hire a pet detective, and let him/her do all of the legwork.  Of course, you might want to be the hero of the lost and soon to be found by becoming a pet detective yourself.

If you are a farmer, or have a backyard garden, weeds are probably your worst enemy. They are usually more prolific than the produce you are trying to grow.  It can be expensive and backbreaker work to keep the weeds from totally overtaking what you planted.

On the other hand, if you can’t beat them, you may want to consider joining them.  You might want to start your own weed farm. Although it sounds totally ludicrous, horticulturists in colleges and universities will actually buy the weeds, so they can be studied.

Nature is Calling

About 20 years ago, Yellowstone, one of the most popular national parks in the United States had a huge fire.  Much of its natural beauty was reduced to ashes. To avoid similar devastation, national parks will have lookouts placed strategically around the parks, up in the mountains, to keep an eye on the landscape.  They are the early warning system and specifically looking for any signs of fire.

Unfortunately, it’s a very solitary job. But, if you like to be alone, this is the perfect job.  You can’t get much more alone than this, without being in solitary confinement.  You also need an extreme love of nature and a desire to do what is necessary to preserve its natural beauty.

The Ultimate Test

Do you enjoy watching reality television shows, especially those that require the contestants to handle, endure, or even eat really gross things that would make most of us sicker than sick?  Do you find it amazing what these people will do, just for their moment in the spotlight?

Have you ever wondered who comes up with all of these gross challenges?  Well, it could be you.  A nasty stunt producer has to think of these nasty stunts and carefully study all of the variables, in order to make sure it will do no real harm to the contestants. Yes, you would have to get up close and personal with all of the insects and animals, in order to test the stunt, before putting it on the air.

The Nose Knows

Most people have a favorite shampoo, perfume or even deodorant.  Sometimes, it’s simply because that particular brand works better than any others previously purchased.  But, generally people are really sold on the smell.

If the perfume smells good, then the consumer is more likely to buy the fragrance.  Shampoos and soaps are the same way.  No one wants to go throughout the day smelling offensive to themselves, not to mention the people with whom they come in contact.

But, when it comes to deodorant, the nose knows what really works and what doesn’t.  While that baby powder scent might have been appealing in the store, the absence of body odor is what really counts.  But, how can you be sure the antiperspirant works as well as advertised?

To make sure the product works exactly as advertised, even before it hits the store shelves, companies hire specially trained personnel.  The odor tester will put his/her nose to work, in order to sniff out any potential problems with the product.  Question is:  What happens when the odor tester gets a cold?

If you can Boil Water . . .

If you can boil water this job may be right up your alley, as the saying goes.  Did you know that you can make a living boiling animal hair? I guess the saying, “Waste not; want not”, really applies.  After shearing a sheep or scraping a hide, the hair is boiled to be used at a later date.  Lest you think that no one would use animal hair¸ consider where you got that nice wool sweater. In fact, cosmetic brushes are sometimes made from animal hair.

Hint – It’s not a Cow

If you don’t like milking a cow, you have nothing to worry about. If you want a job that has an element of risk, this just might be it.  Finally, if you want a job that could really make a difference in someone else’s life, you might want to consider becoming a snake milker.

Snake milking involves holding the snake and pressing the fangs into a receptacle, until all of the venom is milked.  Although it might seem like a dare, just to see if you can handle a snake without freaking out, it really is a very important job.  The venom from the snakes is used to create anti-venom that can save the life of snake bite victims.

It’s a Gamble

Whether they end up in a casino or in a board game, the dice have to be uniform.  If the angles aren’t right, there are flaws in the die, or the proportions are messed up, the dice will not work properly.  A game of chance is turned into an unfair contest

So, there are actually people that are employed to check out the dice and make sure they will work as intended. So, if there is a bad roll of the dice, it isn’t because there is something wrong with them.

Have Stuffed Animal, will Travel

Today, there aren’t that many circuses traveling around the country.  Caging wild animals and making them do stupid tricks to entertain the public is no longer socially acceptable.  It has also been discovered that many children have a fear of clowns.  But, carnivals are still going strong.

The rides are even more thrilling and heart throbbing than in the past.  The cotton candy still tastes great; and the games are still next to impossible to win.  But, if you love to travel, have a bit of a nomad spirit, have a variety of responsibilities, and develop strong long-lasting relationships with coworkers, then the life of a Carney might become your dream job.

If you like cheese, this job may be a great opportunity.  On the other hand, you may never want to eat cheese again, after a week or two of working here.  You can work as a cheese sprayer.  No, you are not going to spray your favorite cheese with a coating of plastic or some sort of cleaner.  This job is actually spraying the best cheesy popcorn with an even layer of flavor.

Chim Chimney

Have you ever seen the timeless Disney classic Mary Poppins?  If so, then you know about the life of a chimney sweep.  Skinny young lads were hired to actually climb down chimneys and sweep them out, so the old soot would not ignite and burn the house down.

Although the scene in the movie was pure fun, it did depict how chimneys were cleaned in the olden days.  Today, there are still plenty of fireplaces that need cleaning.  It is still a dirty job that requires the services of a professional, so someone doesn’t get hurt.  But, hopefully the current tools are a little more high tech than in the early 1900’s.

Light ‘em Up

This job may require some special training; but, it is doubtful that very many people have the pleasure to say that they bend light for a living.  If you live in a big City, look around.  Neon signs are everywhere.  But, none of them look exactly alike.

Someone had the job of bending the light, in order to customize the shapes and designs.  Done correctly, the end result is awesome.  Done incorrectly and there will be a pile of broken glass. So, if you like electrical work and you want to do something that is a little strange and different, you can check into becoming a light bender.

If you still haven’t seen a job that is unique and weird enough for you, no problem.  There might still be a job that seems like it was created just for you.

If you have man’s best friend, then you know all about buying dog food; or, do you?  Usually, you get into the habit of purchasing a certain brand, because you have read the ingredients on the label.  Sometimes, it’s simply because you have implemented the system of trial and error, in order to discover which brand your buddy seems to like the best.

But, how do you know that you are getting exactly what you are paying for, and the pet food is actually good for your dog? Human food is manufactured under strict guidelines. Workers makes sure the product that is shipped to the market is prepared properly and has the same quality of taste that loyal consumers have come to expect.

Surprisingly, the same can be said for dog food. Some brave, human soul tastes your dog’s food, in order to insure that the quality meets the standards that you and your faithful companion believe goes into every bag or canned food that you buy at the market.

Keep it to Yourself

If you are in school or not too old to remember sitting at a desk, then you will appreciate this weird, yet necessary, job. How many times have you sat at a desk or a table only to discover wads of chewing gum stuck to the underside?  In most cases, you found it the hard way and were terribly grossed out.

Unfortunately, the same people that messed up your desks at school, and others like them, have no more regard for park benches and picnic tables. Public outdoor furniture is somehow easier to gum up than walking two feet to the nearest trash can.  If you want to help keep parks clean for friends and family, and you love working outdoors, maybe you can apply for the job of gum buster.

Some jobs are mundane; other jobs are just plain boring; some employees have exciting occupations, and some have work that is actually too weird for words.  But, there is someone out there, maybe you, doing all of these jobs to make the community a better place for us all.