Have you ever thought about how weird your job is? Well, we found some jobs that are sure to blow your mind. For some, it might seem normal, but for many, it will be a revelation, and a pretty weird one at that. Here is a list of the 10 weirdest jobs in the world, where real people work.
1. Pet food taster
At the top of the list of the strangest jobs is a pet food taster, who has to taste the food themselves. The person in this job has to make sure the aromas are appealing and the texture is good so that the pet doesn’t choke on it. The tasting is done without swallowing, so most of the pet’s food is spat out into the bowl. If you want to take this job, you’ll have to stock up on water!
2. Professional whistler
Who do you think makes all the whistles in movies and TV shows? Certainly not the actors! That's where a professional whistler comes in. Henry Brady is a 58-year-old professional whistler.
“My profession has conquered the whole world and allowed me to touch people’s hearts,” he says.
Brady says he doesn't need advertising because his profession is in demand, since not all performers have artistic whistling.
3. Screen Cleaner
All cinemas with huge screens cannot look perfect, because they accumulate a huge amount of dirt and dust. Luckily, there are people who are assigned the job of cleaning the screen. Screen cleaners use scaffolding to reach high places. So much dust accumulates on the screens that they usually need to be vacuumed two or three times.
4. Dice Inspector
Gambling is a big money business, and accordingly, nothing can be left to chance, not even the dice. If the angles or sides are not perfect, or the dice are the wrong size or even slightly distorted in their center of mass, this will affect the roll. Of course, the casino can sue the company that made the dice. For this reason, dice manufacturers hire inspectors to check the information on each playing piece.
5. Ear cleaner
In India, you can hire a professional ear cleaner. These people roam the streets and clean your ears for a fee ranging from 25 to 100 rupees. They use cotton wool, toothpicks, and a pair of sharp tweezers to clear your ears of any debris. Some even use a few drops of eucalyptus or similar oil. This is definitely not a job for the squeamish!
6. Ride Tester
Alton Towers in London is looking for attraction testers. Skills needed? A very strong stomach.
“Every morning before the park opens to the public, every ride goes through a serious test, so we’re looking for someone to do that.”
“It will take a big fan of amusement rides with a very strong stomach, as he will have to spend time on our biggest and most famous roller coaster.”
This kind of work seems like one big pleasure, but we are sure that it is limited.
7. Professional sleeper
Are you constantly tired? Maybe you’d like to make a career out of being a professional sleeper. There are groups of people who are hired by doctors and scientists to conduct sleep research. Of course, for them, you have to sleep hooked up to monitors and other equipment. Some luxury high-end hotels will also pay you to sleep in their hotels and resorts. But in return for this hospitality, you’ll have to write about the experience on your blog. Could you make a full-time job out of it, getting paid based on the number of hours you sleep? It’s not exactly easy money.
8. Breath Odor Evaluator
Companies that produce chewing gum or breath mints need people who have the sole job of smelling the breath of those who consume the candies and chewing gum to determine how long the freshness lasts. The key skill is a keen sense of smell. Without a nose like a dog, you don't belong in this job.
9. Would you like to earn some money as a scarecrow?
Some farmers want to scare away birds on their farm, but not with a fake scarecrow, but with a real person dressed as a scarecrow. The side job is, to put it mildly, strange.
10. Professional mourner
These people will attend your loved one's funeral for an extra fee. The UK-based firm says:
"We are often called upon to help increase attendance at funerals where turnout is expected to be low. It is usually a matter of popularity or a new tradition. We have a significant number of mourners who can be called upon at any time."
Not a very fun job.