# You never forget your first . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 31, 2000, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436 "2000-03-31T16:52:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/21 "2000-03-31T19:44:00Z")
PaperBoy extaordinaire! At one time I had 200 papers with my route up on a big ass hill. Man, I had killer legs that summer. I could place a paper on a doormat, while in motion, at 30 feet 4 out of 5 times(even on second floor apts). Duck! I had one customer that was home every day _except_ when I was collecting. I think I knocked his screen out about 15 times from throwing the paper so hard against his door. Then there was Taco Bell with the knife throwing contests, the spilling the vat of beans on the floor and using them anyway incident, the sex in the walk-in freezer(not me) escapade, etc… God I loved those jobs… * * * Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking when I said I’d like to smash every tooth in your head. ---
**Author:** ![neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ab097/32.png) [@neuro-trash\_grrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neuro-trash_grrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/22 "2000-03-31T19:47:00Z")
My first job was working as a cashier-type person at a fireworks stand during the Fourth of July season. Despite the summer heat, low pay, and frequent boredom, I enjoyed it immensely, pyro that I am. The next summer, I worked there again, this time as a night watchperson. That, in its own way, was even more interesting. I just sat in my car all night long, reading books with a flashlight, and occasionally someone I knew would stop by and warn me that their uncle’s girlfriend’s roomate’s brother-in-law heard that the East Side Locos or somebody were planning to rob every fireworks stand in town, which never actually happened. I still think that was a great job. A little cash in my pockets, and all the fireworks I could eat. * * * Heck is where you go when you don’t believe in Gosh. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/23 "2000-03-31T19:55:00Z")
My first “tax-paying” job? Baskin-Robbins. God-awful uniforms, and feeling sticky all the time. Even now I can only eat ice cream about twice a year. StG ---
**Author:** ![SmoothOperator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@SmoothOperator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmoothOperator)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/24 "2000-03-31T20:16:00Z")
Switchboard operator for Montgomery Ward. I even got to make those cheesy (sorry Sealemon88) announcements. Attention we are having a special in the …! Decent pay, but I really enjoyed coming up with new announcements. ---
**Author:** ![MadPoet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@MadPoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPoet)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/25 "2000-03-31T20:31:00Z")
I worked at a Software Etc for 2 years when I was 18 or so, thinking I was in the Computer industry. I managed to work my way all the way to Senior Sales (yay) before leaving for a real tech job. * * * [http://www.madpoet.com](http://www.madpoet.com) “I never meant to hurt you,” you said, And buried yourself in lies instead. Next time I would rather be slain, Than forced to bear your mercy again. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@Thing\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_1)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/26 "2000-03-31T20:44:00Z")
My first job was at a garden center. I learned how to operate a forklift. I learned how to drive. I learned how to drink Wild Turkey. I learned I do not want a career that deals with the general public (customers). I learned a lot there. John * * * Then he got up on top With a tip of his hat. “I call this game FUN-IN- A-BOX” Said the cat. -The Cat in the Hat ---
**Author:** ![Vestal\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5e9695/32.png) [@Vestal\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vestal_Blue)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2000, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/27 "2000-03-31T23:10:00Z")
My first paying job was at a greenhouse that grew plants for local florists. It was 1975, and I was 15. I forget what I made, but it wasn’t much. I discovered that the best plants came from the cuttings discarded under the benches! * * * VB Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have many other fine qualities as well. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/28 "2000-04-01T00:23:00Z")
My first job was as a dishwasher at Mama Rosa’s restaurant for $1.50/hour. I was 15. Do you know how hard it is to chip baked cheese off rigatoni platters? The high point of that job was the day when the other dishwasher and I stacked the clean mugs about six levels high (12 mugs/tray/12mugs/tray, etc). Unfortunately, the table we stacked them on wasn’t made to hold that much weight. The owner heard the crash and came running into the kitchen. He looked at the mess and said, “There goes everbody’s raise.” ---
**Author:** ![saucy\_potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/edb3f5/32.png) [@saucy\_potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucy_potato)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/29 "2000-04-01T00:32:00Z")
I’m still at my first job. 🙂 * * * _That was a well-plotted piece of non-claptrap that never made me want to retch._ ---
**Author:** ![Felinecare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Felinecare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Felinecare)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/30 "2000-04-01T00:48:00Z")
Cleaned houses for $3.00 an hour. Left with a hatred of knick-knacks. ---
**Author:** ![Linney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/58956e/32.png) [@Linney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linney)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/31 "2000-04-01T01:11:00Z")
I can’t believe it… I can’t imagine that none of the previous posters had listed corn detassling as a first job, as it was mine. (If you don’t know what the heck detassling is, e-mail me…hehehe) ---
**Author:** ![GuyShyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/57b2e6/32.png) [@GuyShyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuyShyGirl)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/32 "2000-04-01T02:39:00Z")
I worked at K-Mart for $6.00 an hour to start. After three months I was supposed to get a raise to $6.25. I didn’t last three months. ---
**Author:** ![Girlbysea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Girlbysea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girlbysea)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/33 "2000-04-01T03:46:00Z")
At 14 I worked in a beauty shop. I made .25 for every head that I shampooed. But I think the most fun was all the gossip. I guess I grew up that summer. Thanks to all the ladies. You taught me a lot… 😉 * * * * * * Girlbysea (AKA: ChiefScott’s GBS) ---
**Author:** ![SingleDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@SingleDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleDad)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/34 "2000-04-01T03:57:00Z")
> [@](#): > > (If you don’t know what the heck detassling is, e-mail me…hehehe) ## I’m not sure, but I think it’s illegal in seven states and the District of Columbia. :deadpan: No matter where you go, there you are. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/35 "2000-04-01T03:59:00Z")
Not counting babysitting, McDonald’s when I was 14. Minimum wage. I made more money (per hour) babysitting, but there wasn’t enough of it to save up any money. ---
**Author:** ![as\_u\_wish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@as\_u\_wish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/as_u_wish)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/36 "2000-04-01T14:05:00Z")
Degreasing disposable parts to blood testing equipment. Ewwwwwww. $1.65/hr, 8 hr shift, standing, soaking little pieces of metal in freon liquid. Gasping from freon fumes. After that, everthing else seemed like a good job. * * * inconceivable? i don’t think that word means what you think it does ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/37 "2000-04-01T16:59:00Z")
My first job was printing napkins, like you get for your wedding. That was a fun job. I got to set up the print, then I stamped the name onto each napkin individually. That part was very boring, but I got real good at it, so it usually went quickly. The best part about the job was that I only worked when there was work to do, so no standing around staring at walls and trying to look busy. One time I made a big mistake - there was a couple getting married named Mary Margaret and Martin. It sounded like a group to me - so I printed it as Mary, Margaret and Martin. :o After that, I had the salesperson check my setup before I started printing. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/38 "2000-04-01T17:09:00Z")
I believe my first job was detassling corn in Indiana at age 12. Does anyone have any idea what I’m talking about? People in California just blink when I mention it. It was for a lousy $3.35 an hour, and was without a doubt the hardest work I’ve ever done. (On the first day of work, our boss said, “This is the worst job you will ever have.” Not very encouraging, but certainly accurate!) They hired 12yros because we were the youngest they could hire legally–and the only people stupid enough to do it. We’d sit in these tractor baskets and spend four nonstop hours pulling tassles off the top of corn plants to prevent hybrids cross-pollinating. This is in the middle of July, 90 degrees with 90% humidity–and you couldn’t wear shorts or short sleeves, unless you wanted to be covered in corn rash. The top of my ears blistered from sunburn…this job really, really sucked. I did it for six days (the season is six weeks)…but quit when they told us we couldn’t listen to walkmans anymore while we worked because it was affecting our performance. See yah! Also when I was 12, I delivered newspapers. I’m pretty sure that was the winter after corn detassling because I had to get a social security number and card for the detassling job. * * * Teaching: The ultimate birth control method. [Laura’s Stuff and Things](http://members.aol.com/lrconaway) ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/39 "2000-04-01T17:12:00Z")
Linney! Yay! Someone else suffered the same hideous job! ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2000, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436/40 "2000-04-01T17:39:00Z")
My first “real” job was at a Roy Rogers Roast Beef Sandwich restaurant @ $1.25/hr, when I was 14. I didn’t like it (we wore goofy cowboy hats), but I guess I’m glad I did it. The next seven years of my life involved several minimum wage jobs (more fast food, driving delivery trucks, mailing room, construction helper, etc.). I finally got into decent wages when I went to work at a chemical plant where they made me into a reactor operator. When I realized I was probably, without having a better mousetrap under my hat, maxed out, I decided to go to college. That was hardly the immediate end of minimum wage jobs, but I know I’m glad I did that. It was a hoot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-never-forget-your-first/15436.md?page=3)