Your most unlikely or unusual job?

**dcompton** · 03-06-2010, 11:34 PM

Driving to work today I reached over to turn on the radio and stopped. Oops. Saturday. Opera's on. It made me think of a wildly unlikely job I had: office manager for an opera company.

Unlikely, because I really don't like opera. After working there six years, I understand it better, and appreciate it more knowing what it takes to stage one, but I would still never choose to listen to it or attend one. Almost the worst part of the job was that I felt I had to attend the opera so I could talk intelligently with callers/visitors after the performance.

That could have been worse. I was in the box office during the performance, so I would go for the final dress rehearsal. It was informal, I could have the best seat in the house if I wanted it, and if it was taking the soprano way too long to die, I could just leave, confident that she would before the curtain went down.

It was in many ways a fun job, but no, I still don't like opera.

What jobs have you done that, before you did them, would have earned the reply "You've got to be kidding!"

**dschipman** · 03-07-2010, 12:14 AM

I once worked as a carni (carnival worker) for a week. My best friend talked me into it. Me being 21 jumped into a car with a total stranger and traveled 300 miles to another town and ran a childrens ride for a week. It was one of the best experiences I ever had. (I would never do it again) but I think I grew up alot in that week.

**frugalfranny** · 03-07-2010, 12:23 AM

Prison guard...........

After almost being a JD myself when I was younger!

Mighty fine line on who was in and who was out!!! I was the third female hired in Idaho when they brought the women back 'in state'..........

**mauimagic** · 03-07-2010, 12:30 AM

OMG - you all have had such more interesting jobs than I've ever thought of having. Shall think about them all, but certainly don't think I've done anything unusual!!

**MaryCarney** · 03-07-2010, 12:44 AM

I measured women for, and sold them brassieres when I was 15 years old!! My Aunt Jean managed the "foundations" department in a store when I was growing up, and all the girl cousins had this as their first job. Saturdays were great, 'cause it was all cousins and my aunt took that day off. We had a blast!

I used to work with a nurse who was an exotic dancer at one time. Interesting stories!

**frugalfranny** · 03-07-2010, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by MaryCarney

I used to work with a nurse who was an exotic dancer at one time. Interesting stories!

I bet you did get some MC!

I LOVE hearing fun life stories........also sometimes known as 'dumb things we did'!!!

I had a few 'head turners' while working at the prison too.

That is where I learned my poker face. They would test you for 'shock value'........and I learned quick.

**pat in east texas** · 03-07-2010, 03:42 AM

Carhop. In the 1950's. It was the worst job I ever had, and only lasted 2 weeks.

**frugalwarrior2** · 03-07-2010, 04:50 AM

Waitress,head shop,hosiery store. Sold a lot of "tall" stocking to guys. I sold all kinds of things in stores to get thru college. Sometimes 3 jobs.

**Grainlady** · 03-07-2010, 07:11 AM

When I was 15 I worked after school and during the summer as a janitor in our dinky high school. There were three teenagers who got the job and to this day we still share fond memories of our experiences together. I knew all kinds of wonderful secrets about the high school that came in handy (LOL) later as a student.

When I was 19 I worked in an Army Surplus Store, fun place, but really poor wages. It was where all the college students bought their bell bottom jeans, Navy Pea Coats, and an unbelievable assortment of odd items. Taking inventory was an absolute nightmare!!!

I also worked at McCall's Pattern Company while hubby was in college. That was the most physically taxing work I've ever done.

**WV_mom_of2** · 03-07-2010, 09:01 AM

Let's see......

I worked on a dairy farm for two weeks the summer between my 9th and 10th grade years to earn money for back to school clothes and to go to the fair.

I worked in a feed and fertilizer store after my first dh died. I worked two jobs at that time...at the feed store and in a hardware store 6 days a week.

And now I clean bathrooms for a living LOL. I work in a campground/park in the spring/summer and early fall. I register campers,organize and run the camp store, answer phones, rent boats and picnic shelters, give out tourist info, clean campsites and CLEAN BATHROOMS and showers! NEVER did I ever imagine that I would clean public restrooms for a living. It's a dirty job and it's amazing how nasty people can be.

**Rhiamon** · 03-07-2010, 09:37 AM

Because I lived in the country and had limitie job options when I was teen. So from 12-15 I went frogging. I caught frogs and sold them to bait shops. I made 300 dollars one month.
I also worked in a cermaics place cleaning the ceramics and 25 cents a piece.
I have many other jobs. Somethem I even wonder how I ended up with them.

**daughter of pearl** · 03-07-2010, 09:50 AM

I was 20 years old and working as a secretary in a factory that made car parts. The owner decided to save some money by laying off some of the factory guys, and I wound up spending half of each day working a gigantic metal stamping machine, wearing safety goggles, big yellow ear phones to protect my hearing and safety boots...and my top and skirt from my secretary's job which I still had in the morning!

**qcrazy** · 03-07-2010, 10:02 AM

I threw frozen whoppers on the grill for 1 week at BK. Worked for my dads Motorcycle (jap bikes) shop Lots of really hot guys. lol

**Debbie-cat** · 03-07-2010, 10:20 AM

Carhop at A&W .... Where I had to wear roller skates. Lasted two shifts until I couldn't stop once and the poor customers food landed on their lap.

I have never roller skated since.

**Neeley** · 03-07-2010, 10:32 AM

*I was a bartender in my 20's. Not unusual in itself, except I do not drink alcohol. I can mix just about anything, just won't drink it.

*From age 14 to 15 I worked for a miniature golf course. My main job was ice cream girl. But, I also was the clown for kids' birthday parties. Our course was done like an island, with lots of bodies of water around the various holes. Another one of my jobs was to swim in the water to retrieve golf balls and golf clubs that were either accidentally shot in the water or thrown in. I got paid by the ball and club.

*I dried cars at a car wash when I was 16. I was the first and only female to work there.