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duncang

(3,757 posts)

168. 13 years old

Wed Aug 14, 2024, 03:28 PM

Aug 2024

Worked at a full service gas station. Changed oil, hand washed cars, fixed tires even semi truck tires, and pumped gas.

At the time the semi truck tires were more dangerous especially when airing them up. The metal rings could blow off. Had to make sure you stood to the side when airing up.

It is kind of funny seeing my social security records showing taxes taken out from then.

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debm55

270 replies

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What was your first paying job as a teenager? I worked at a pizza joint, How about you?? [View all] debm55 Aug 2024 OP

I was a mannequin in BittyJenkins Aug 2024 #1

Oh. Thank you, BittyJenkins. debm55 Aug 2024 #3

That's cool - I could never do that! :) Mad_Dem_X Aug 2024 #159

Newspapers AltairIV Aug 2024 #2

Thank you AltairIV..That was a very common job back in the day. and from friends having that job, the pay stunk. debm55 Aug 2024 #6

I was a pin setter at a bowling alley in my small town in Nebraska where i grew up. ten cents per line played. OLDMDDEM Aug 2024 #4

Thank you OLDMDDEM. Was it duck pins or regular? debm55 Aug 2024 #9

Regular. Went home with bruises on my legs nearly everyday I worked. OLDMDDEM Aug 2024 #12

Thank you. Sorry about the bruises. debm55 Aug 2024 #16

I was sorry too. OLDMDDEM Aug 2024 #17

You need a hug------------- debm55 Aug 2024 #214

Catering for my best friend's Dad's company Bristlecone Aug 2024 #5

Thank you Bristlecone. Catering is a good business to be in as a teen. debm55 Aug 2024 #10

Accounting Clerk for an aerial survey firm. LoisB Aug 2024 #7

Thank you LoisB. sounds like a neat job. debm55 Aug 2024 #11

Bagging groceries at a Winn-Dixie underpants Aug 2024 #8

Thank you underpants. That must have been a pain to clean up. debm55 Aug 2024 #13

That's why I mentioned the clothes. underpants Aug 2024 #39

LOL been there. FalloutShelter Aug 2024 #14

I think bar codes were just coming in but yeah I had to make change underpants Aug 2024 #32

Yeah... in glass FalloutShelter Aug 2024 #35

Thank you, FalloutShelter. That must have been a mess to clean. Did they have a worker that did "Clean Up in aisle 3" or debm55 Aug 2024 #38

LOL FalloutShelter Aug 2024 #41

Yeah we didn't have an operative cash register so had to add up all the items and make change captain queeg Aug 2024 #215

Ma and Pa small grocery down the street. AnnaLee Aug 2024 #15

Nice. underpants Aug 2024 #27

Thank you AnnaLee. What a great thing you did for your sister. debm55 Aug 2024 #47

Working on a soybean farm House of Roberts Aug 2024 #18

Thank you, House of Roberts. I bet that was hard work especially in the rain and heat. debm55 Aug 2024 #50

You didn't work in the rain but it was hot. House of Roberts Aug 2024 #68

Me too... cutting the milkweed plants in august before the combine harvest lapfog_1 Aug 2024 #62

Thank you, lapfog_1 . You put in alot of physical work for that $200. Thank you for sharing. debm55 Aug 2024 #69

Ice cream shop. I lied about my age. Native Aug 2024 #19

thank you Native. that would be a great job to have. debm55 Aug 2024 #51

Other than cutting grass, I worked in grocery stores. Learned a lot about customers and jerks. Silent Type Aug 2024 #20

Thank you Silent Type. Same here at the pizza place---customers and jerks-you learn life lessons. debm55 Aug 2024 #54

Babysitting and petsitting. woodsprite Aug 2024 #21

Thank you woodsprite. Did your parents have words with the car company? Other wise it does sound like a neat job. debm55 Aug 2024 #59

No they didn't. Dad did check his credit report though woodsprite Aug 2024 #171

Soda jerk Bmoboy Aug 2024 #22

Oh my, thank you Bmoboy. One of my summer jobs in college was as a soda jerk. Never could get the mixtures right and debm55 Aug 2024 #63

Mowing lawns. Did that throughout junior high and high school unblock Aug 2024 #23

Thank you, unblock. Great first job, but very physical. debm55 Aug 2024 #71

I did that too till we moved into town. My dad would drop me off at my sister trailer park with the mower and pick me captain queeg Aug 2024 #218

Data entry Shermann Aug 2024 #24

Thank you Shermann. You are right and working in the heat too debm55 Aug 2024 #74

Dime store, age 14 JohnnyLib2 Aug 2024 #25

Wow you were young. thank you for sharing, JonnnyLib2. debm55 Aug 2024 #76

Sales clerk at J C Penney's, I think in the beauty section.....ha ha, never used anything a kennedy Aug 2024 #26

Thank you, a kennedy. And it was cheaper at the Drug store. I remember when JC Penney's had a Hair Salon. debm55 Aug 2024 #92

I worked in a pet shop! AmBlue Aug 2024 #28

Thank you AmBlue. I see your point. I worked in a no kill animal shelter latter in my life. I had the cat section. I did debm55 Aug 2024 #97

I was 14 and a counselor at a day camp..$25 a week... agingdem Aug 2024 #29

Thank you, agingdem. It sounds like a great job to have. and the pay(at the time) wasn't bad either for a young teen. debm55 Aug 2024 #118

Fish farm. 14. I loved it. bullimiami Aug 2024 #30

Thank you bullimiami. Your job sounds very interesting. debm55 Aug 2024 #119

Caddy on a golf course... they didnt ask any age questions getagrip_already Aug 2024 #31

Thank you, getagrip_already. That does sound like very hard work. Thank you for sharing. debm55 Aug 2024 #121

Theater usher Cartoonist Aug 2024 #33

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA Thank you Cartoonist. That is funny. debm55 Aug 2024 #122

Pulling sticks loaded with cured Tobacco... GainesT1958 Aug 2024 #34

Thank you GainesT1958. I bet it was. TY for sharing. debm55 Aug 2024 #123

I got a job at the local Food Spot at 14 stocking shelves. iscooterliberally Aug 2024 #36

Thank you iscooterliberally. Very interesting jobs. At Penn State, I worked my way through college working in the dorm's debm55 Aug 2024 #125

I used machines for the most part too. iscooterliberally Aug 2024 #132

Thank you very much, iscooterliberally. debm55 Aug 2024 #133

Cashier at Publix market The Blue Flower Aug 2024 #37

Thank you The Blue Flower. Yes, I remember putting in the prices. Then you have the people who check their receipts and debm55 Aug 2024 #126

I don't remember which came first birdographer Aug 2024 #40

Thank you birdographer. I had my students do that themselves at the end of the year. That sounds like a boring job. debm55 Aug 2024 #127

My first job was as the University of Alaska coprolite Aug 2024 #42

WOW Thank you coprolite. What two great jobs you had. You are the first potato chip taste tester I met online, debm55 Aug 2024 #136

Small amusement/ water park. ColinC Aug 2024 #43

Thank you ColinC. I hear you. They can be gross. debm55 Aug 2024 #137

Site gasoline station. GreenWave Aug 2024 #44

Thank you GreenWave. Did you wear a uniform? I remember looking on the car seats and car floor to find change to fill debm55 Aug 2024 #138

I don't think we did. They wanted me to go to oil school telling me I could make Big Bucks GreenWave Aug 2024 #141

Burger Chef MichMan Aug 2024 #45

MichMan , I love your Burger Chef story it is so funny. Thank you for sharing with us. debm55 Aug 2024 #139

Ah yes. I remember Burger Chef. Not sure how wide spread they were but had them in Ohio. captain queeg Aug 2024 #222

Burger Chef was bought out by Hardees and rebranded MichMan Aug 2024 #238

Sales clerk in a cigar store. Mme. Defarge Aug 2024 #46

Thank you Mme. Defarge. Did the smell bother you? debm55 Aug 2024 #143

Loved the smell of good tobacco, Mme. Defarge Aug 2024 #169

Bagging groceries. lpbk2713 Aug 2024 #48

Thank you lpbk2713. We have to bag ourselves now. debm55 Aug 2024 #144

I worked in a grocery store at 16. Was paid $.85 an hour. sinkingfeeling Aug 2024 #49

Thank you sinkingfeeling. debm55 Aug 2024 #145

I shined shoes at a brick and mortar shoe shine shop. LuckyCharms Aug 2024 #52

"Now go home and get your fucking shinebox." Niagara Aug 2024 #86

No more shines, Billy. Maybe you didn't hear about it, they didn't go up there and tell you. LuckyCharms Aug 2024 #91

"What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?" Niagara Aug 2024 #105

It's my favorite, hands down! LuckyCharms Aug 2024 #112

I love Carlito's Way too. Niagara Aug 2024 #116

Thank you for sharing. LuckyCharms. That was a heck of a lot of money for a 14 year old. debm55 Aug 2024 #88

Omaha Zoo cleaning the tank windows in the aquarium. Gaytano70 Aug 2024 #53

Thank you Gaytano70 that sounds interesting. debm55 Aug 2024 #149

Yes, I walked around inside the aquarium with a bucket of vinegar water and a squeegee cleaning Gaytano70 Aug 2024 #170

HAHAHAHAHAHHAH. You are funny. debm55 Aug 2024 #182

Detasselling TheFarseer Aug 2024 #55

Wow, that is a lot for a 12 year old. Thank you TheFarseer. debm55 Aug 2024 #151

It was only for about 10-14 days TheFarseer Aug 2024 #187

New York Times PXR-5 Aug 2024 #56

Thank you PXR-5, I remember my cousins doing that. They had an assembly line putting the Pittsburgh paper together. debm55 Aug 2024 #153

Demonstrating magic tricks in a hobby shop. grumpyduck Aug 2024 #57

Thank you grumpyduck. I really find the job demonstrating magic tricks to be interesting. Do you remember any? debm55 Aug 2024 #173

Sadly, no. grumpyduck Aug 2024 #193

Gift wrapping for the holidays at a high end men's store kimbutgar Aug 2024 #58

Thank you kimbutgar. I am sorry that happened to you. I heard the same about him debm55 Aug 2024 #155

And I met his daughter who was on Dallas and she wasn't a nice person either! kimbutgar Aug 2024 #198

Local stationery store Basso8vb Aug 2024 #60

That is so nice to hear. Most first jobs are crummy. Thank you Basso8vb. debm55 Aug 2024 #160

Construction helper @ age15. $1.50 an hr. Thought I was GOD when I got paid oldsoftie Aug 2024 #61

Wow, Thank you, oldsoftie. That is a lot for a 15 year old. debm55 Aug 2024 #161

I had worked full time hours+ moniss Aug 2024 #64

Thank you moniss. I am so sorry about the back and knee problems. Let me give you a ......... debm55 Aug 2024 #162

You're the best kiddo.nt moniss Aug 2024 #195

Paperboy....Newsday Long Beach NY 49jim Aug 2024 #65

Thank you for your post, 49jim, Very interesting post. debm55 Aug 2024 #163

Working in a lab analyzing water samples. drray23 Aug 2024 #66

Thank you very much drray23. You must be very smart to be getting a degree in Chemisty at 16, debm55 Aug 2024 #174

Priming tobacco on neighbor's farm unc70 Aug 2024 #67

Thank you unc70 for sharing with us. I bet it was very hard working in the hot sun. debm55 Aug 2024 #175

Mowing North Shore Chicago Aug 2024 #70

Thank you North Shore Chicago. You had some very parents that matched what you made. debm55 Aug 2024 #177

Babysitting as a pre-teen and waitress at Denny's as teenager MaryMagdaline Aug 2024 #72

Thank you MaryMagdaline. It is a hard job being on your feet all shift. debm55 Aug 2024 #178

It was! I did waitressing and fast food through age 24 MaryMagdaline Aug 2024 #191

Sales clerk at a small stationery store Wicked Blue Aug 2024 #73

Thank you very much. Wicked Blue. Sad that the art of writing letters is gone. debm55 Aug 2024 #90

Not only letters Wicked Blue Aug 2024 #95

Babysitting and file clerk Karia Aug 2024 #75

HAHHAHAHAH. That is funny about taking an alphabet test. Thank you. Kara. debm55 Aug 2024 #79

1966...Howard Johnsons on the PA Turnpike. PittBlue Aug 2024 #77

Thank you PittBlue. Yes, they didn't have to pay minimum wage for those under 18years , I remember them all over the PA debm55 Aug 2024 #89

Selling bikes at Toys Are Us CanonRay Aug 2024 #78

Thank you CanonRay. Did you have to assemble them too? debm55 Aug 2024 #83

Just the pedals and handlebars on the floor models. CanonRay Aug 2024 #184

I self-published a music fanzine synni Aug 2024 #80

Good work, synni. Thank you for sharing. debm55 Aug 2024 #81

Nursing Assistant in a Psychiatric Hospital... HipChick Aug 2024 #82

HipChick. Thank you for your work that you did there. It must have been very draining on you. Love, Debbie. debm55 Aug 2024 #84

Very eye opening HipChick Aug 2024 #124

As an Explorer Scout, Nature Director at Summer Boy Scout Camp surfered Aug 2024 #85

Thank you very much, surfered. It sounds like a very fun first job. debm55 Aug 2024 #87

Life was simpler then and I was young surfered Aug 2024 #189

Babysitter for two kids from a rich family vacationing in my area for a summer. Just turned 14. catbyte Aug 2024 #93

Thank you catbyte. You sound like you really enjoyed the kids. Wonderful. I think they enjoyed you too. debm55 Aug 2024 #180

Babysitting starting age 11. GPV Aug 2024 #94

Thank you very much for sharing, GPV. debm55 Aug 2024 #183

My 1st paying non taxable job as a teenager was a babysitter Niagara Aug 2024 #96

Thank you, Niagara. I remember Ponderosa's around here. We also had a Bonanza Steakhouse here. Thanks for sharing. debm55 Aug 2024 #100

My pleasure, Debbie! Niagara Aug 2024 #114

Camp Counselor Deep State Witch Aug 2024 #98

Thank you Deep State Witch. I lived near the location of their home office in McKessport, PA, Did you store have the sit debm55 Aug 2024 #186

other than getting paid to sing at church (I was a soloist at 11), the first real job I had gopiscrap Aug 2024 #99

Thank you gopiscrap. You hit the jackpot with that job. debm55 Aug 2024 #190

I worked an agricultural job in the city when I was 14. An evergreen nursery where I dug, planted, cut...etc Rustynaerduwell Aug 2024 #101

Thank you very much, Rustynaerduwell. It sounds like it was a interesting job. debm55 Aug 2024 #103

Babysitting my sibs no_hypocrisy Aug 2024 #102

Thank you no-hypocrisy. You were lucky. I never got paid. debm55 Aug 2024 #106

If it's any solace, pretty sure the no_hypocrisy Aug 2024 #113

Newspapers and greeting cards. gibraltar72 Aug 2024 #104

Thank you gibraltar72. It sounds relaxing. debm55 Aug 2024 #188

Janitor. And I loved it! Had my sister work for me too, she cleaned the front half of the office complex, and I SWBTATTReg Aug 2024 #107

Thank you SWBTATTReg, I like how you included your sister. thank you sharing. debm55 Aug 2024 #109

A city park near the lake BlueKota Aug 2024 #108

Thank you BlueKota. Sounds like a interesting job. debm55 Aug 2024 #110

Department store credit office fernlady Aug 2024 #111

Thank you so much, fernlady. I remember those days of applying for a cc or making a payment on a cc. At our store it was debm55 Aug 2024 #117

Busboy at the Waterfall Lounge. malthaussen Aug 2024 #115

HAHAHAHAHHA, Thank you Mal. Was it located around Pittsburgh or down in Florida. debm55 Aug 2024 #210

Willow Grove, PA malthaussen Aug 2024 #255

Started out as clean up boy in the meat department of a small grocery store. rsdsharp Aug 2024 #120

Thank you, rsdsharp. I remember to work the meat cutter in the deli you had to be a certain age. but I knew kids younger debm55 Aug 2024 #129

I was 16 (started at 15). Used the slicer, band saw, rsdsharp Aug 2024 #134

Janaf Cinema movie theater selling concessions. Started at age 14. rainy Aug 2024 #128

Thank you rainy. That would be neat working in the concession stands. debm55 Aug 2024 #131

Counter person at a Red Barn (fast food burger & chicken joint) ihaveaquestion Aug 2024 #130

Thank you ihaveaquestion. I always liked the shape of the place and the name. debm55 Aug 2024 #142

Other than babysitting, opening tax season mail at the IRS dlk Aug 2024 #135

Thank you dlk. debm55 Aug 2024 #140

McDonalds. I was a closer and cleaner. beaglelover Aug 2024 #146

Thank you, beaglelover. Closer is a hard job. debm55 Aug 2024 #223

JoAnn Fabrics deepthought42 Aug 2024 #147

Thank you deepthought42. I like JoAnn Fabrics. debm55 Aug 2024 #225

I was a part-time sportswriter for my local newspaper, covering... Different Drummer Aug 2024 #148

Thank you Different Drummer Neat job debm55 Aug 2024 #235

Diving for pearls at The Alibi in Portland Oregon. k55f5r Aug 2024 #150

What a great job. We had a pearl diver at the Sea World in Ohio. Loved watching them dive. My husband bought me a debm55 Aug 2024 #229

Another pizza worker here Rastapopoulos Aug 2024 #152

I worked the front counter and stepped in the back to sometimes make the pizza. Hot as hell in the back. debm55 Aug 2024 #219

I said shining shoes and cleaning spittoons at a local massage parlor and got some laughs on FB a while back. n/t brewens Aug 2024 #154

Oh brewens, that is gross. Is it true, If so I feel sorry for you debm55 Aug 2024 #157

Farm/ranch hand. WheelWalker Aug 2024 #156

Wow, Thank you WheelWalker. Where did you get the energy to do both? debm55 Aug 2024 #231

It's my Dharma. WheelWalker Aug 2024 #237

I worked with little kids in a daytime program Mad_Dem_X Aug 2024 #158

Other than babysitting wryter2000 Aug 2024 #164

Paper route, 1957.. Permanut Aug 2024 #165

Thank you, Permanut. You must have made good money as Schwinn bikes were the top of the line. debm55 Aug 2024 #260

My best friends's mom worked for a catera, serving tables at events. Fla Dem Aug 2024 #166

Sonic Drive-In. Elessar Zappa Aug 2024 #167

Thank you Elessar Zappa. I love their ice. Working in the kitchen is a hot, dirty job. I did it too debm55 Aug 2024 #259

13 years old duncang Aug 2024 #168

Thank you duncang. that was quite a job for a 13 year old. debm55 Aug 2024 #258

My first non-babysitting job was in the women's clothing section... 3catwoman3 Aug 2024 #172

Wonderful post 3catwoman3. I remember the workers at Penneys would have this hand steamer and would steam the clothing debm55 Aug 2024 #221

Waitress, local diner Joinfortmill Aug 2024 #176

Thank you Joinfortmill. You learn a lot of people skills. And it is hard work being on your feet all day. debm55 Aug 2024 #209

Tutor in hs, then Arbys Demovictory9 Aug 2024 #179

Thank you very much Demovictory9 , Two great jobs. I taught for over 40 years. debm55 Aug 2024 #208

I was about 10 years old Beachnutt Aug 2024 #181

Thank you, Beachnutt, that sounds wounderful. The smells of farm fresh fruits and veggies. debm55 Aug 2024 #206

I worked in a movie theater in Wailuku Maui that was recently bought by Seiks Nictuku Aug 2024 #185

Thank you Nictuku. That first job sounds sort of creepy. Your second job sounds great. Making tacos. YUMMY debm55 Aug 2024 #205

Fenway Park selling scorecards, peanuts in the stands Submariner Aug 2024 #192

Thank you Submariner. My husband is from Boston and we always said "who sells the best hot dogs, Fenway Pawk" True. debm55 Aug 2024 #203

organist oberle Aug 2024 #194

Thank you very oberle. How great to have your first paying job turn into a career. debm55 Aug 2024 #201

Martial arts instructor sakabatou Aug 2024 #196

Thank you very much sakabatou. That is very interesting. debm55 Aug 2024 #200

Age 14 through 17 picked cherries for $.50 a pail wishstar Aug 2024 #197

Thank you wishstar for a great post. Love cheery cobbler. Now everytime I make it , I will think of your post. debm55 Aug 2024 #199

I worked as a starter deRien Aug 2024 #202

Thank you, deRien. That is quit a job. debm55 Aug 2024 #204

Garbage man @ 14. Lochloosa Aug 2024 #207

Thank you Lochloosa. What a variety of jobs you had during your teens. debm55 Aug 2024 #212

I had a couple paper routes but then I got a job cleaning up a meat market at night. captain queeg Aug 2024 #211

Oh wow, thank you captain queeg. You had a variety of careers you had. debm55 Aug 2024 #213

When I was young I'd do most anything to make some money. captain queeg Aug 2024 #220

Car wash Tribetime Aug 2024 #216

Thank you Tribertime. Did you ever go through it when no one was looking? debm55 Aug 2024 #224

Dairy Queen in 1973! TexasBushwhacker Aug 2024 #217

Thank you, TexasBushwhacker. What a deal!! We must be around the same age. I am 69 years old. I love the swirls. YUMMY debm55 Aug 2024 #227

Yup. 67 n/t TexasBushwhacker Aug 2024 #236

I rolled joints True Dough Aug 2024 #226

HAHAHAHAHHAHA. Thank you True Dough. Your second job sounds cool. debm55 Aug 2024 #256

What? True Dough Aug 2024 #265

Hahahahah. I have an inhaler and MM for my husband that has Malignant prostrate cancer. He won't take it as he is debm55 Aug 2024 #267

You do True Dough Aug 2024 #269

Summer I was 12 worked in my uncles auto body shop 5 days a week for a buck an hour - 1961. NoMoreRepugs Aug 2024 #228

Thank you NoMoreRepugs. You were young. debm55 Aug 2024 #253

I worked the drive thru at a fast food Luciferous Aug 2024 #230

Thank you Luciferous. Hard job with sometimes rude people debm55 Aug 2024 #252

cutting asparagus...early in the morning before school samnsara Aug 2024 #232

Thank you samnsara. That is different job. debm55 Aug 2024 #251

Paper Boy Delarage Aug 2024 #233

Thank you , Delarage. We don't get get newspapers here in Pittsburgh anymore. All online. You were a very good paper boy debm55 Aug 2024 #250

I was a carhop. murielm99 Aug 2024 #234

Thank you murielm99. What a neat job. debm55 Aug 2024 #249

stocking shelves and emptying meat scraps The Wandering Harper Aug 2024 #239

Thank you The Wandering Harper. debm55 Aug 2024 #248

Popcorn and candy stand Figarosmom Aug 2024 #240

Thank you Figarosmom. Very interesting jobs. Thank you for sharing. PS I took drafting in HS and I loved it. debm55 Aug 2024 #243

I think an Art Assistant to an Art Teacher at a summertime art school for kids, maybe tweens... electric_blue68 Aug 2024 #241

Thank you electric_blue68 Working with is a rewarding job. debm55 Aug 2024 #242

I actually started at age twelve. OldBaldy1701E Aug 2024 #244

OldBalsdy1701E, Thank you very much. I did the same with the money from my first job. debm55 Aug 2024 #246

Passed out newspapers Blue Full Moon Aug 2024 #245

Thank you Blue Full Moon. I always wanted to do that. debm55 Aug 2024 #247

Donut shop at 12, my parents bought one.... LizBeth Aug 2024 #254

Thanks LizBeth That sounds like a very sweet job. Yummy. debm55 Aug 2024 #257

As an employee, Denver Post paper route 1968, had to be thirteen. I made some good money for a kid in school. Hotler Aug 2024 #261

Thank you Hotler. I don't think there any paper boys any more. Most is online. I enjoyed the smell, look and feel of debm55 Aug 2024 #262

Helped a friend's father pack silverware while my father was laid up witn a broken foot. Rocknation Aug 2024 #263

Thank you Rocknation. That was so nice of you to help out. And I bet those shoes were spiffy. debm55 Aug 2024 #264

Janitor's Assistant ProfessorGAC Aug 2024 #266

Thank you very much. ProfessorGAC. That is very interesting. debm55 Aug 2024 #268

Babysitting (does that count?) ailsagirl Aug 2024 #270