Thread: Fi8ve Best Occupations in the World

I have just finished reading Charles Willeford's memoir entitled, " I Was Looking for a Street", for the second time. Willeford is my second favorite writer just behind Nelson Allgren when it comes to writing about life in depression era America. In the book he makes the statement that the five best occupations in the world are, 1. Baker, 2. Infantry Rifleman 3. Novelist, 4. Light House Keeper and 5. Professional Boxer. How he arrived at this he does not say. In my youth I had many ideas about the best occupations. I dreamed of being a French Foreign Legionaire, Navy Frogman, Homocide Detective, owning a Speed Shop, Hobo, etc. My best friend says that undoubtly the best job in the world would be to be Sophia Loren's husband. I was 28 before i settled into my lifelong career of being a Railroad Detective. It took me a while to find my place. I would be interested in what others think are the five best occupations in the world.

If money didn't matter and I could afford to get into it I would be a farmer.

Other than that, I'm still trying to figure out what I really want to be when I grow up.

I think the best occupation is retired. No clue what the other four would be but certainly not what I did for a living for 35 years. It only took me 35 years to find my place.

Bob

I don't know about the five best occupations in the world however I know what the best one is. It's the one where you wake up in the morning and can't wait to come in to work and feel sad leaving at the end of the day.

Having worked in bakeries and as a pastry chef I can say that Baker is right up there. Very satisfying, although hard, work. And the smells....

Fresh baked bread, hot out of the oven with butter, every morning....

Originally Posted by BobH

I think the best occupation is retired. No clue what the other four would be but certainly not what I did for a living for 35 years. It only took me 35 years to find my place.

Bob

Oh yea! I agree with you Bob! Nothing like it in the world. I still get up at 5:30 a.m. and watch the sun come up with a cup of coffee or tea and I think...D..m I am one lucky SOB!



Take Care,
R

The #1 best job for me was being a member of The United States Marine Corps.

Originally Posted by d. m. ellington

I have just finished reading Charles Willeford's memoir entitled, " I Was Looking for a Street", for the second time. Willeford is my second favorite writer just behind Nelson Allgren when it comes to writing about life in depression era America. In the book he makes the statement that the five best occupations in the world are, 1. Baker, 2. Infantry Rifleman 3. Novelist, 4. Light House Keeper and 5. Professional Boxer. How he arrived at this he does not say. In my youth I had many ideas about the best occupations. I dreamed of being a French Foreign Legionaire, Navy Frogman, Homocide Detective, owning a Speed Shop, Hobo, etc. My best friend says that undoubtly the best job in the world would be to be Sophia Loren's husband. I was 28 before i settled into my lifelong career of being a Railroad Detective. It took me a while to find my place. I would be interested in what others think are the five best occupations in the world.

Railroad Detective, cool!
I picture it like this;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K89xgioWOWI

Originally Posted by honedright

Having worked in bakeries and as a pastry chef I can say that Baker is right up there. Very satisfying, although hard, work. And the smells....

Fresh baked bread, hot out of the oven with butter, every morning....

When I was in the Navy I stood my watches in the Radar room. After the Mid Watch, 12 to 4 am, i would go down to the bakery get a large piece of fresh baked bread, go into the galley throw a chunk of butter into the bread, proceed to the mess deck, get a cup of coffee and weather permiting, (the north Atlantic is cold in winter), go out on the fantail, eat the bread and butter, drink the coffee and smoke two camel cigarettes and then hit my rack. I could sleep like a sick cowboy.

I don't know what the five best would be, but my personal favourites (in no particular order) that I've had personal experience with, would be, Night shift manager at a 24hr diner, Swagman (hobo), Farmhand, Rifleman in the Army and Stay-at-home-Dad...Pay is sh!thouse on that last one, much the same as a Swaggie's rate of pay, but the benefits far outway any loss of income...Much like the Swaggie .


Mick