Ann Dowd: What is the worst job you have done?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's long-running Q&A repeatedly asks this standing question, with minor tense variation.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Ann Dowd said elsewhere, not written here

Trying to sell frozen food over the phone for a company called American Frozen Foods. It lasted about half an hour. I found myself telling people not to buy too much of it because it could go bad, and my supervisor said, “This job is probably not for you.”

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 January 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

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Leona Lewis

I quite enjoyed all my retail jobs (I worked in H&M and Gap), but the worst times were the sale periods. The summer sales – awful.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 December 2023 source ↗

David Arquette American actor, producer, & former professional wrestler

When I was young, selling maps to stars’ homes in Hollywood, somebody flashed their wiener at me. It was traumatising.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 January 2021 source ↗

Steph McGovern Broadcaster

I used to be an ear-piercing specialist when I was 16, and had to pierce babies’ ears. It was horrendous. I had to practise on my friends – several have misplaced piercings.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗

Kate Humble

I lived in Cape Town, and I was spotted on the street and signed up by a modelling agency. I did about three shoots before I realised I hate having my photograph taken and I like food.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 December 2023 source ↗