There are a lot of weird jobs out there. I look back fondly on the summer that I split my time as a paper folder / hot air balloon wrangler. But it gets far weirder.
- Smeller
At some point, products that mask bad smells — like toothpaste or deodorant — need to pass the literal smell test. It seems that robots aren't up to the challenge yet, which means that developers of these products use old-fashioned humans to do the job.
- Golf ball diver
Golf balls are constantly getting shot into ponds and lakes. Rather than letting them go to waste, golf courses hire divers. This position requires putting on scuba gear to dive in water that's often dark and murky.
- Bridesmaid for hire
The job of maid of honor can be a difficult one — one that the bride's best friend may not be up to. That's why you can hire a bridesmaid to provide support on your big day (so long as you can afford a few thousand dollars).
- Snake milker
This highly specific job for zoologists is also pretty risky. Snake venom is useful as a vaccine and antidote, but it requires nerves of steel to extract it. That's where the snake milker comes in to handle the snake and (hopefully) safely extract the venom.
- Iceberg wrangler
Since the Titanic sank in 1912, the International Ice Patrol, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, has been working in cold waters to tow dangerous icebergs out of harm's way.
- Drying paint watcher
There's nothing more boring than watching paint dry, but it helps if you get paid. This is a job that exists because someone has to ensure that the paint is adhering properly.
- Sleeper
This sounds like a dream job: a hotel in Finland was looking for applicants to test out the comfort of its beds. This consists of not much more than napping.
- Beehive larvae detector
Dogs are really good at sniffing out specific scents, which is why they're used by bomb squads. This extends to bees too, apparently. This dog sniffs out deadly larvae in beehives.
- Netflix watcher
It's true: a few lucky souls are actually paid to watch Netflix all day. The position has to do with categorizing shows and movies properly to streamline the experience for customers.
- Train stuffer
In Tokyo, where space is at a premium, strong people are employed at train stations to safely squish everybody into trains so the doors can close and the train can be on its way.
- Dog surfing instructor
Yes, some people who bring their doggos to resorts want them to surf. Somebody's gotta teach these dogs how to hang ten, and that's where the highly specialized job of dog surfing instructor comes in.
- Ostrich babysitter
Apparently baby ostriches need attention, just like any baby, and there's a weird job that's evolved around this need: ostrich babysitter. People are literally paid to babysit these strange flightless birds.
- Mermaid
A company will literally train you to be a mermaid. It sounds like enough fancy parties demand "mermaids" to swim around decoratively, and an entire cottage industry has formed around this strange idea.
- Cuddler
A newer business idea that's started in numerous North American cities is professional cuddling. These cuddlers provide emotional support, not hanky panky, for around $50 to $100 an hour.
- Mourner
In parts of Southeast Asia, it's traditional for mourners to cry and carry on at a funeral. If it's tough to find people willing to do this, there's no shortage of services that'll provide mourners for a fee.
- Line stander
No one likes standing in a long line, but sometimes it's necessary. For those with no patience and extra money, services exist to provide a stand-in so you don't need to wait in line.