[Amazing] 25 Everyday Professions That Are Privy To It All
Everyone who’s ever had a job probably has a good story or “horror story” from said job, but some professions take it above and beyond as far as what secrets they’re privy to. In some cases, the profession depends upon a client sharing their past or pouring their heart out; in other places, it seems as if people assume since a person is on shift or hired by them, they’re there to take any abuse or information clients would like to throw at them (nope). Still, some professions just lend themselves to having clients who really need your skills but have no idea what you actually…do. If you are or have been in one of these jobs, we salute you. If you haven’t, read on and learn about 25 Everyday Professions That Are Privy To It All.
Food servers sometimes get to hear the best and worst of humanity and can overhear basically anything you say at the table. Unfortunately, a large part of the general public tends to think that "server" translates to "servant." Remember folks, a person who is not nice to the waitstaff is not a nice person.
Massage Therapists are professionals, and while it only takes a little bit of schooling to become a licensed massage therapist, it takes years of experience to become a truly good one (and a good massage therapist is worth their weight in gold). Still, some people think it's totally cool to ask them about sexual favors or creepily repeat how "good they are with their hands." Just so we're all very clear, there are exactly zero circumstances in which this is acceptable, even as a joke. You will henceforth and forever be remembered as a "creepy" client.
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers are a special breed. They're responsible for instilling some pretty important social and educational skills into the next generation, like you can't pick your friend's nose even if she says it's okay. Yet they're also privy to the world as seen through the eyes of children. Children who are just learning to express themselves. Things like “I can’t read right now. I have heartburn.”
Graphic Design is a pretty misunderstood skill set by the general public, and as such, Graphic Designers often aren't respected as professional artists or are given requests that are somewhat outrageous (or worse, completely vague). No, they can't just do something exactly like someone else already did; they can't just "photoshop it"; and they can't use a random photo off your facebook or google, or do anything "real quick." Also, anyone that EVER implies that a graphic designer or any other artist should charge less or work for free for "the exposure," well, let's just say they're horrible or clearly just don't get it. Yet you'd probably be surprised how often any professional creative hears this.
By the time most people get to an Assisted Living Facility, they're too old to give a crap what anyone thinks or overhears. Nurses and Medical Assistants in these facilities always have stories. Sometimes they're nice stories from their clients about the adventures they used to have when they were younger. Than then there are...the other stories. We'll just leave those to your imagination.
Being a vet takes a kind heart, a good work ethic, and a keen sense of intuition since your clients can't speak, well, human. It also takes a lot of patience with the humans, who will often tell you their life stories, or say things like "Nah, if he can't muscle through it, he's had a good life! He's old!" when told their animal will need expensive medical care.
Tech Support may not be the most glamorous job, but most people don't realize how vital it is to keep our day to day systems running. The register kiosk at Starbucks goes down? No latte for you until they get IT on the phone! While most calls are legitimate things the average person wouldn't know the answers to, there are still some calls that end in phrases like, "How can there be a WINDOW on my DESKTOP!?" followed by insults to one's intelligence.
Financial Advisers and Retirement Planners are professionals with a pretty specific set of skills. While most of us have questions that may be pretty obvious to them, and some of us are embarrassingly bad at math,there are those who say things like, "This Overseas start-up is sure to yield billions!"
Emergency Responders come into our homes when we are literally at our worst, and we trust them in those moments. They see our homes, our weaknesses, and they care for us. They also sometimes get to give us fun drugs that make us forget we're in pain, and we start talking. First Responders have seen, heard, and smelled it all, and at some point have rinsed it all out of the back of their transport vehicle.
From the funny and cliche, "That's not mine, I was uh, just holding it for a friend" to more violent and sinister excuses and defenses of ill behavior and deeds, Law Enforcement has absolutely heard it all, and most officers probably wish they could forget some of it.
Garbage Men may not "hear" it all, but they've seen it all. Everything from old sex toys to live puppies to bodies have been found. So be nice to your garbage man, he knows your secrets and your address.
You might not have thought about many of these. Take a look at the rest of the list to see who else you interact with that may know more about you than you’d think.
Youtube viewers may not be "clients" in the traditional sense, but they are the reason content creators make videos, and those content creators hear it all - good, bad, random and vile - from their viewers, unfiltered.
Nannies not only overhear what mommy and daddy say when they start to feel comfortable around them, they hear the kid's version of it. If you have a nanny, trust me, you have no secrets.
Lawyers Are privy to their client's side of the story. In fact, it's their job to argue the accused's innocence, or in some cases their excuses for their actions. They hear it all, the good, the foolish, and the horrific in detail.
Uber/Taxi drivers hear all kinds of things. There's a sort of freedom that comes from being in a small space with someone you know you'll likely not see again, and also slightly drunk. Like one girl who had just left a going away party her coworkers had thrown her because she had gotten a job "abroad," but really, she had terminal cancer, “I just didn’t tell them that abroad was heaven.”
Bill Collectors know, going into the job, that they're not going to be anyone's favorite person. Still, a lot of people tend to forget that they are, in fact, a person. And if someone isn't paying or cursing, they're giving you the saddest story you've ever heard about their sick cat and dead aunt and why they can't pay. Look, if you're ever in that situation (it happens, no judgement) just...just ask for a payment plan.
Retail Customer Service is kind of a trial by fire; you come out of it a broken, bitter person, or someone who realizes they love working with people. Either way, you hear a lot of things. Some of them unkind; some of them just.....long. Long stories while there's a line of people behind someone is pretty normal.
Some professors would probably rather hear, "my dog ate my homework" than some of the lovely excuses they hear. Everything from freely admitting they were too drunk and high and asking for more time to complete an assignment, to claiming that walking across campus was too "triggering" and they should be excused from midterms, professors have heard it all from their students.
All members of the clergy - from Baptist pastors to Catholic priests who take confession - hear it from their congregation. It's their job to help us in times of weakness and counsel us through some of life's worst times, and they just hear it all and keep it between themselves and God. Thanks guys!
As much as many of us hate the DMV, imagine how it would feel to work there. The cruddy florescent lighting, the general feeling of "we're only here because we have to be," constant interaction with a public that's so untrustworthy pens have to be kept on chains, etc. On top of that, the people you're serving aren't exactly kind about waiting while you simply do your job. Some people are even so horrid as to say things like, “My taxes pay your salary so you are paid to take my crap.” No, no they aren't. Unless you're a professional dominatrix or septic tank cleaner, no one is paid enough to take your crap.
Being a bridal consultant or even a wedding planner isn't as glamorous as most people would think it is. While it's deeply gratifying to help brides and grooms realize their vision for the big day, it's a lot of long hours, and you're also privy to a lot of inner family secrets. They know exactly what the bride and groom's families think of each other and manage to juggle and respect both groups of people.
Professional Counselors and Mental Health Therapists do a great service for society. They help us deal with our crap that ranges the gambit from OCD therapy, to saving marriages and families, to helping those life has been very unkind to become functional and confident members of society. They are the original "safe space" for us to let out all our dirty secrets.
It might seem a little cliche, but bartenders hear a wealth of personal information. People drink for many reasons, but often because of an emotional high or low. Mix strong emotions with alcohol and you get people talking. A lot. If you ever find yourself sobbing in a hotel bar after a breakup (it's okay, we've been there) just make sure you tip well.
Doctors and Nurses literally have to ask patients for their medical history, and sometimes they just end up getting...all of a patient's history. They also hear some of the best excuses and lies. Look, your doctor knows you haven't been dieting or taking your medication, Being honest with them makes their job easier and you healthier. They aren't judging you, they just want to make you well. They also probably don't need to know about the guy you hooked up with last week when you're in to have your eyes checked, maybe.
Want to know more about what doctors deal with on the job? Check out 25 Dumb Patients That Make Doctors Want To Quit Their Jobs.