12 Unique Careers Not Found in the United States

Bike fisherman

Instead of fishing for, well, fish, people in Amsterdam can get paid to fish for bicycles. The city is one of the most bike-friendly in the world, with people relying more on the two-wheeler than cars. For one reason or another, many bicycles find themselves at the bottom of Amsterdam’s waterways and canals throughout the year, creating quite the odd job opportunity. Here are more jobs that are definitely not for everyone.

Electroshocker

No, this isn’t a position at a sanitarium, but a way some people make extra cash in Mexico. Toques, meaning “touches,” is a game that is popular—yet somewhat dangerous—in Mexican bars. With a very basic electroshock machine (it runs on eight AA batteries), the electrocutioner will hit you with a certain amount of volts (which you pay for) to see how high you can go before tapping out.

Ravenmaster

It sounds like something out of Game of Thrones, but this job sounds a lot cooler than it actually is. The groundskeepers at the Tower of London are charged with taking care of the ravens that hang out there, as it is traditionally believed that ravens offer protection for The Crown.

People pushers

Oshiya is Japanese for “people-pushers” or “train-pushers.” They earn their keep by packing as many commuters into train cars as they can. Densely populated Japanese cities, like Tokyo, have trains that are even more crowded than a New York City subway. To ensure the highest level of efficiency during rush hour, Oshiya play a human version of Tetris to get as many people on board as possible.

Dabbawalla

India has a unique take on food delivery. The Dabbawalla are paid to bring a lunch that was freshly prepared by your mother or spouse from your house to your place of work. So much for slapping together a PB&J as you dash out the door!

Traffic zebra

People don’t always take kindly to cops telling them what to do, but it’s hard to say ‘no’ to a zebra. That, at least, is the thought process behind Bolivia’s traffic zebra operation. People dress up in zebra costumes as they help guide traffic and enforce traffic laws. Basically, it’s like being a mascot for road signs. For more bizarre gigs, check out the weirdest jobs you didn’t know you could apply for.

Garbage detective

It is said that you can learn a lot about a person by going through their garbage. Well, that’s exactly what some people in Germany are paid to do. German garbage detectives are essentially recycling police. If someone places the wrong item in the trash, they must be prepared to face the consequences.

Professional passenger

In Indonesia, there is a strict law about carpooling. During rush hour, every car must have at least three people inside to reduce congestion. People soon invented a way of circumventing that law: Hire people to be your passengers. This way, drivers can avoid getting a ticket and people manage to make a few extra bucks while taking a ride.

Pearl diver

Part of the reason pearls are a precious commodity is that they are difficult to obtain. People have to dive into the ocean to fetch the prized jewels, and it’s not always the easiest work. Places such as Japan and the Caribbean are prime locations for pearl divers.

Café con Piernas

Literally translating to “coffee with legs,” cafes in Chile take serving coffee to a new level. The baristas are more like bartenders at popular nightclubs, as they are paid to wear sexy outfits while bringing coffee to their customers. That certainly is one way to start a Monday morning…

Next, find out the 12 cool jobs that don’t require a college degree.