What is your post-apocalyptic occupation?

[forinborin]

AIBU to ask you what your post-apocalyptic occupation would be?

With all the recent news about the shortage of skilled workers - HGV drivers, farm labourers, and today there are news about an emergency visa scheme considered for abattoir workers, I started wondering what would I do if the modern society suddenly fell back into - well, not Dark Ages exactly - but, say, mid-late 19th century ways of living.

And realised that I actually have very little in terms of real-life tradeable skills. In a world without computers, my other skills are worth zero to the community, and I would probably immediately fall to the bottom of the newly established social order.

What about you?

@ipswichwitch yay! Thank you!

I hate to tell you but your castle will also be a draw for every ruffian in the county, I can work on the defences though. Glad to see some snipers on this thread.

I can run the pilates classes. A post apocalyptic world still needs pilates, right?

Village crazy lady

I’m health and safety so I’ll be the one insisting we all wear gloves while rubbing two sticks together to make fire.

I can fish, cook and knit so I'll be cooking fish suppers and running knitting classes.

I can trap, skin and butcher rabbits.

I also used to keep chickens and goats, so I'm definitely the meat/goats cheese woman.

Haven't got as far as butchering deer but I reckon I could give it a good go!

Ooh plus I could trade the rabbit skins to all the sewing people, nice warm mittens and clothes for all!

I am awesome with a crossbow, headshots all the way

I’m good at working out plans of action, schedules and delegating / figuring out people’s strengths so I shall be In Charge.

I can weave willow so can make baskets to keep all the socks, turnips and small babies in.

Also recruited from MN will be sensible post menopausal women with lots of expertise on men, your job will be selecting suitable stud males.

That sounds like the job for me...I'm peri menopausal and 5 years divorced so I may be willing to train the borderline cases if necessary .

Out of breeding season, I'll be the potter, with a sideline in baking, cooking, butchery.

dreamingbohemian you’re on the defence committee then - we’ll deploy snipers on the ramparts, there’s a portcullis too (I love that word!), plus my 7yo has outstanding aim with conkers and a catapult!

@ipswichwitch

dreamingbohemian you’re on the defence committee then - we’ll deploy snipers on the ramparts, there’s a portcullis too (I love that word!), plus my 7yo has outstanding aim with conkers and a catapult!

Excellent.

Anyone without useful skills is now an official conkers collector

I can sew and crochet so I’ll have a shop that provides clothes and knitwear.

I have a lot of farmers in my family so I’ll bring them along to be actually useful and I’ll sneak in hidden under a cow.

But once in, I’ll run the radio station. Transmitting @cinnabarmoth’s music and @Fillybuster & @Ozanj’s stories to all in the community and keeping us in contact with other communities. Want a job, @TheSpiral?

Wandering minstrel, dancer and storyteller.

I'd starve, but that's what would happen now if not for my husband and a bit of entirely unearned and undeserved good fortune.

I would make and sell anti-biotics which in a post-apocalyptic scenario are going to be worth more than their weight in gold.

@XenoBitch

Any dentists about? We will need them!

Don't seem to need them in The Walking Dead. They have perfect teeth!

I'd be the village baker, although I might specialise in scones and leave the bread to someone else.

I did years of Tudor re-enactments so baking in old brick ovens or on open fires is my skill set. I'd be up and running in no time.

I'll trade you for some goats milk @PenguinWings

I would be dead. As an extremely short sighted glasses wearer, I have never seen myself represented in any of the many modern dystopian films/books I love so clearly I will not be able to outrun or outfight whatever it is that causes the collapse. The only myopic character I can think of is Piggy in Lord of the Flies and that didn't work out well for him

So far the village/castle is looking pretty good.

Those antibiotics and headscarves will command a tidy barter in metals.

We will need a blacksmith though. If there are no takers from the immediate community, could one of the stud-selectors also see if there is some suitable muscle for for the Smithy?

@PersonaNonGarter ds would love to be a blacksmith so I put him forward for the role

Post-apocalyptic Judge Dredd.

You have behaved in a way that is not conducive to the ethos of our new world?
You have been judged, bye

I might actually be okay at this.

I can cook anything on a camp fire, grew up with herbalism & foraging & often make potions & lotions that work as well, if not better than medication, I feel storms coming better than the Met, so could be a healer & wise woman. I can also make things, be it sewing, weaving or pottery & I'm generally quite inventive & good at problem solving & working out how to build things. I can fish & gut fish, I'm a crack shot, but that's probably not so useful as I doubt I could kill an animal I would never eat, but who knows in a new world

@bakingdemon

I would be dead. As an extremely short sighted glasses wearer, I have never seen myself represented in any of the many modern dystopian films/books I love so clearly I will not be able to outrun or outfight whatever it is that causes the collapse. The only myopic character I can think of is Piggy in Lord of the Flies and that didn't work out well for him

Harry Potter.