Guide:
The 7 most popular occupations 30 years ago have all disappeared, and those who have done it are all receiving pensions! Do you know what professions are available? Do you remember these people?
The once iron rice bowl, the profession that was once favored by people, is now also declining, and no one cares, let's take a look at what occupations are there?
1. Tailor
In China 30 years ago, tailoring was a profession full of hope and respect. At that time, girls dreamed of marrying a tailor because it meant that they would have a partner who was skilled in creating beautiful clothes. Tailoring is popular not only in the cities, but also in the vast rural areas. Almost every family wants to own a tailor machine, which is not only a symbol of wealth for the family, but also a necessity for daily life.
The popularity of the tailoring machine reflected the social demand for personalization and customization of clothing at that time. People crave well-fitting, aesthetically pleasing clothing, and tailors are able to meet that need. With their dexterous hands and exquisite skills, they cut fabrics into fitted garments that can be seen in everyday wear or festive celebrations.
It is estimated that many people's parents, when they got married in the past, were either a bicycle or a tailoring machine, don't you say?
With the process of industrialization and modernization, mass-produced ready-to-wear gradually replaced the position of handmade tailors. The efficiency and low cost of machines made it no longer economical to make custom clothes, and the profession of tailor was losing its former glory. Despite this, sewing machines are still treasured in some homes, not only as memories of past life, but also as a nostalgia for traditional handicrafts. The story of the tailor is a microcosm of the changing times.
2. Film projectionist
From the Republic of China to the early days of New China, film projectionist was an enviable profession. The films made by state-run studios are not only of high quality, but also carry the spirit and culture of the times. Projectionists go to the countryside to screen and become a bridge between the city and the countryside, the modern and the traditional, and their presence is highly respected in every corner of the countryside.
The job of a projectionist is not just to show a film, they are also on a mission to disseminate knowledge and culture. In that era when information was relatively closed, movies became an important window for people to understand the outside world. Projectionists often have to trek mountains and rivers to bring films into remote villages, and their arrival always causes a sensation and becomes a major event in the village.
At that time, the film projectionist was regarded as a profession that ate the national meal, and he did not have to work in the fields, but roamed the countryside all day long, received a fixed salary, and then could watch movies while the movies were playing, which made people envious and jealous. At that time, many children were determined to become film projectionists in the future and change the fate of farmers.
With the diversification of modern entertainment, state-run studios gradually closed down, and the job of film projectionist gradually disappeared. The rise of television, the Internet, and streaming media platforms has changed people's viewing habits. What was once a bustling open-air cinema is now hard to find. The story of the projectionist, like the old films, has become a dusty piece of history.
3. Grain station staff
In the era of the planned economy, grain station workers were an important role in society. They are responsible for the distribution and storage of grain, and they wield a lot of power. The grain management office was the core of the food supply in that era, and the decisions made by the staff directly affected the dining tables of thousands of households.
In the past, my grandfather was a staff member at the grain station, and his daily job was to control the quality of the grain. At that time, the staff of the grain station was a very decent job and had a high reputation in the countryside. At that time, it was regarded by rural people as the job with the least shortage of food. Every family has to pay the public grain when the time comes. At that time, this was also regarded as an iron rice bowl, and there was no rural person who did not dream of working at the grain station.
But now, with the abolition of public grain and the increase in grain production, the functions of the grain management institute have gradually weakened, and finally withdrawn from the stage of history. The story of the staff of the grain station has witnessed the end of an era, and also reflects the profound changes in the transformation of society from a planned economy to a market economy.
Most of the people who used to work in the grain station are now in their 80s, and the staff of the grain station are very beautiful, but now the times have changed, and the grain station has become a historical term.
4. Family planning office
In the 80s, China was in a critical period of population control. In response to the social and economic pressures of rapid population growth, family planning policies were put on the national agenda. Against this background, family planning offices have sprung up in towns and neighborhoods across the country. These agencies have become the frontline of policy implementation, and their job is not only to promote the concept of family planning, but more importantly to ensure that the policy is strictly enforced.
The staff of the Family Planning Office need to go deep into each family to understand the birth situation and punish those families who violate the policy and give birth. Their work is often under tremendous pressure and challenges, and sometimes even in the face of incomprehension and resistance from the masses. But it is the hard work of these staff members that ensures the effective implementation of the family planning policy at the grassroots level.
Over time, China's demographic landscape has changed profoundly. Problems such as population aging and labor shortage are gradually becoming prominent, and the country's understanding of population issues is also deepening. In 2016, the Chinese government announced the full liberalization of the two-child policy, marking a major adjustment to the family planning policy.
The liberalization of this policy means that the functions of the family planning office have begun to change. The Family Planning Office, which originally focused on controlling population growth, has begun to shift to new functions such as providing reproductive health services and promoting balanced population development. In some areas, family planning offices have begun to merge into health departments, and their focus has shifted from punishment and control to services and support.
5. Supply and marketing cooperatives
In the era of planned economy, supply and marketing cooperatives were an indispensable part of the daily life of urban and rural people. They are not only the main channel for the supply of goods, but also an important place for social interaction and information exchange. Walking into the supply and marketing cooperative, the shelves are neatly lined with all kinds of commodities from food to daily necessities, from farm tools to fabrics. The sales staff stand behind the counter, they know every item inside and out, and they always give the right advice on the customer's needs. In that era of relative scarcity of materials, the goods in the hands of salespeople often directly determine people's consumption choices, and their influence should not be underestimated.
You must know that at that time, if you wanted to buy something, you had to go to the supply and marketing cooperatives with food stamps to buy them, and you couldn't buy things in other places. At that time, I was able to work in the supply and marketing cooperative, that is, I had to find a relationship and spend money to enter. The staff of the supply and marketing cooperatives, like the current civil servants, enjoy all kinds of preferential treatment, and the peasants are envious of this. If a boy from someone's family can marry a girl who works in a supply and marketing cooperative, it will be a treasure.
With the deepening of reform and opening up, the concept of market economy began to take root in China. New business forms such as supermarkets and shopping malls have sprung up, and they have quickly won the favor of consumers with their abundant goods, flexible prices and high-quality services. In contrast, the traditional supply and marketing cooperatives are becoming more and more inadequate, and their glory is gradually becoming a thing of the past.
6. Village postman
Forty years ago, post and telecommunications offices were the main places for people to send parcels and letters, and rural postmen played an important role in transmitting information. They rode bicycles and shuttled through country roads, delivering greetings and messages from afar to every family. Although the work of postmen is hard, they have an irreplaceable place in the hearts of the villagers.
With the popularization of the Internet and smartphones, the functions of CTT offices have been gradually replaced by modern communication methods. E-mail and instant messaging software make communication faster and more convenient. The figure of the rural postman has gradually faded out of people's sight.
Nowadays, rural postmen have also begun to be eliminated by the times, and because letters and newspapers have been eliminated by the information age, rural postmen have also lost the meaning of their work. Most of them became couriers, and there were more couriers.
7. Driver
In those days, being a driver was not only a profession, but also an enviable social identity. Those who master the skills of driving are like having a ticket to a better life. At a time when automobiles weren't commonplace, the scarcity of drivers made them valuable talents in the eyes of everyone. Not only do they have the opportunity to drive for leaders in government agencies or important units, but they also enjoy relatively high salaries and respectable social status.
At that time, we had a relative in our village who could drive, and that was something to boast about. They were often able to buy televisions and bicycles early, which were luxury items at the time, enough to make them stand out in the village and become the envy of everyone.
The golden age of drivers is a microcosm of China's rapid economic development and social progress. With the take-off of the economy, cars have gradually entered ordinary people's homes, and the profession of driver has also begun to change. From the initial scarcity and prestige, to the later popularity and ordinary, the social status of drivers has undergone a transformation from peak to smooth.
8. Carpentry
Carpentry used to be an indispensable craftsman in the countryside. Whether building a new house or renovating an old one, carpentry skills are essential. Their craftsmanship is not only reflected in the production of furniture, but also in the respect for wood and dedication to craftsmanship.
With the rise of mechanized production, the profession of carpentry has gradually been eliminated by society. Modern architecture and furniture manufacturing rely more on machinery and equipment, and traditional carpentry skills are in danger of being lost.
Still, there are carpenters who stick to their craft, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design to create unique pieces. Their story is a kind of inheritance of traditional handicrafts and a tribute to the spirit of craftsmen.
From tailors to carpenters, the changes in these professions are not only a reflection of social and economic development, but also a witness to the changes of the times. Do you still know about these professions?