UNUSUAL VOCATION

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3202, 12 July 1932, Page 8

UNUSUAL VOCATION

PAID TO INSULT PEOPLE. He makes a great deal of money insulting people. He is an American, and he recently stayed in London—but not doing any more insulting for the time being. Officially, he is known as a "ribber," and here is how he described his profession to a pressman:— "I'm about the biggest 'ribber' in Los Angeles. There were two others. They were knocked about in the performance of their professional duties, and have retired from business. I am employed by club secretaries and such people. They pay me a fee to go to a banquet or a club, and steadily insult people as they arrive. "When I get my man so annoyed that he is about to knock me down, someone explains that I'm a ' ribber,' and we shake hands. Then I start on another victim. It's great fun for the onlookers.

" Sometimes I am paid as much as £IOO 'for a single performance a£ a big banquet. At an ordinary club affair, I would work for £SO for the night."

On one occasion he was employed as Bobbie Jones's caddie in the series of short golf films Jones made in Hollywood. Just when everything was ready and Jones was facing the cameras, the "ribber" walked up to him. "You're using the wrong club," he said. Jones nearly collapsed. "And, anyway, what do you know about the game?" the "ribber" queried. Bobby's golf went all to pieces for the rest of the day.

"Only America could stand our trade," the " ribber " explained. " But you're a rotten interviewer. And what do you know about newspapers, anyway ? "

"Have a drink ? " said the pressman. "Sure," said the "ribber"—and was left to pay for it himself. That is the way to treat "ribbers" in London.