Lately, I've driven by more costumed people than I'd call normal. I mean, occasionally, you have to expect to see a person in a chicken costume as you drive past the chicken take-out, don't you? Well, I always hope to. Just for the magic that is a person in a chicken suit.
But it's becoming clear that there is a thriving job market if you want to get dressed up like a pizza or a mattress or a realty sign (yes, realty sign) and wave and point. I'm not talking sandwich board, I'm talking full on costume, here. In my area, they're impressive costumes, too. Much better ones than the picture shown above that I found by Google search. Why would a pizza have a chef's hat on it's side? I'm not feeling it.
I'm not sure I'd choose it as a career but perhaps as an "in between" gig. Lots more pros than cons but those cons... hm...
Pros:
- You get paid.
- You get to wear a costume.
- You don't have to have special knowledge or training.
- It doesn't matter if you are having a bad hair day. Or a bad face day, for that matter.
- You can goof around all you want. In fact, this is the perfect time to show off your new dance moves.
- You don't have to sit in meetings and/or try to keep from rolling your eyes.
- Nobody knows it's you so when you go to your high school reunion you can make up something more prestigious, like Fry Jockey.
- You don't get paid much.
- You have to wear a costume no matter how hot/rainy/miserable the weather gets.
- You don't gain any special knowledge or training.
- It is hard to parlay this into a bigger gig, like a Fruit-of-the-Loom commercial.
- It's impossible to give the finger because of your giant Mickey Mouse hand when that car full of guys throws a cup of soda at you.
