15 Bizarre Jobs That You Won't Believe Actually Exist

If the monotony of a nine-to-five job has crept in—and you fancy a career change—look no further; we've rounded up some of the most unusual, albeit pretty serious jobs around the world that have yielded job seekers an 'employed' status. Jokes apart, these are full-fledged professions where you get paid *real* money, not Monopoly cash. From moirologists who are compensated to lament, deliver a eulogy, and help comfort the grieving family to chick sexers who help distinguish the gender of chicken and other hatchlings, brace yourselves; we're about to step into seriously strange territory. 

 

Rent a Boyfriend

 

If you can rent the wedding-outfit-of-your-dreams for a price, why not a boyfriend? The RABF (Rent a Boyfriend) app—the brainchild of Mumbai-based Kaushal Prakash—allows you to rent a boyfriend for the sole purpose of "curing depression", he claims. Hoax, guys; but indeed, this is a real profession, in Japan as well. 

 

Queue Stander

 

A line sitter, also known as a queue professional, is a job that was born out of a necessity—to stand in long, never-ending queues. If you ever need someone to wait in line at a concert ticket counter or a crowded, newly launched restaurant, you know who to turn to. 

 

Gross Stunt Tester

 

If you're an avid reality-TV watcher who catches every single episode of Fear Factor, you know exactly what we're talking about. A gross stunt tester—as the name suggests—is a hired individual who tests out all the disgusting stunts candidates of a reality series are meant to perform, beforehand, to ensure that they are tolerable. Think chomping away on crunchy grasshoppers, swallowing a nauseating, slimy concoction, cramming down wriggly worms, and the works.

 

Professional Cuddler

 

Professional cuddling mimics the concept of a 'free hug', just that it isn't actually free of cost. If you're looking to clock in some snuggle time—or are secretly craving physical touch and affection—you could pay a professional to cuddle it out; turn to platforms such as Cuddlist, Cuddle Up To Me, and Cuddle Companions, which may help you open up.

 

Bicycle Fisher

 

Fishing for bicycles in the canals of Amsterdam—the most bicycle-friendly capital city in the world? No shocks there. Reportedly, around 14,000 rusty bikes are fished each year from the waterways of the city.

 

Wrinkle Chaser

 

Hang on, keeping wrinkles off leather boots and shoes is no easy feat. A wrinkle chaser makes use of a specialised machine that expels hot air to 'chase' the wrinkles out of leather accessories; yup, it's a whole profession.

 

Paper Towel Sniffer 

 

Falling under the umbrella category of 'odour judge', a paper towel sniffer does as the name suggests—sniffs paper towels, all day long. Job requirements: no degrees, just a sensitivity to smell.

 

Chicken Sexer

 

While this profession sounds borderline offensive, it actually just involves distinguishing and determining the gender of chickens and other hatchlings. 

 

Electric Shock Giver

 

In Mexico, street vendors offer electric shocks for a price. Why, you ask? It's just a game. 'Toques' vendors carry the electrical box tucked into a small briefcase; you can hear them offering the game by clanking the two metal handles that connect to the box via cables together. 

 

Professional Sleeper

 

At this point, we all need this job. A professional sleeper is required to sleep—and that's where the job description ends. This is generally done as part of scientific research focused on analysing sleep patterns or evaluating the quality of various sleep-related products.

 

Professional Mourner

 

Professional mourners, also referred to as moirologists or mutes, are compensated to lament, deliver a eulogy, and help comfort and entertain the grieving family.

 

Passenger Pusher

 

A professional pusher has been given the important task of pushing people onto a mass transportation vehicle at a crowded stop during rush hours. Even today, you can catch a passenger pusher in action in New York, Japan, or China. 

 

Bed Tester

 

Let us break it to you—the mattress you're laying on ATM has probably been laid on before, by a profesh bed tester. Just one step away from bagging the role of a professional sleeper, the duties of a professional bed tester involve testing mattresses and bedding for manufacturing companies during the development phase of a new product.

 

Cuidacarro

 

In Costa Rica, you're likely to come across a cuidacarro when you park your car on the street. His primary job? Watch your vehicle and ensure that nobody damages or steals it. 

 

Professional Wedding Guest 

 

Just like you can rent out a wedding ensemble for your big day, you could rent out fake guests too. If you're looking to host a big-fat soirée but don't have too many guests to invite or have last-minute cancellations, here's what you can do. Hey bridezilla, a professional bridesmaid is up for hire as well.