| 1 | -> ''"She was born in a small town, but she must move to the big city to become some kind of journalist or own a bakery or work vaguely in fashion. Now, she's a successful career girl striving to be the best version of some generic profession that doesn't need too much explanation for a general audience."'' |
| 2 | -->-- "[[https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/guidelines-for-female-protagonists-in-hallmark-christmas-movies Guidelines for Female Protagonists in Hallmark Christmas Movies]]," ''[=McSweeney's=] Internet Tendency'' |
| 3 | |
| 4 | Still at loss about what to do with your life? Fret not - if you happen to find yourself in a romance/comedy/[[RomanticComedy romantic comedy]], you can follow this easy counselling guide for career enlightement. You do need a job, or you won't be able to afford the lifestyle that allows for [[FriendsRentControl luxurious abodes]] while spending [[OneHourWorkWeek most days]] solely mulling over romantic entanglements. But narrowing down the job options is very easy: |
| 5 | |
| 6 | Want to show your nurturing side? Become a doctor (especially if male) or a teacher (especially if female), to land an infinitely secure, respectable and satisfying job. Those jobs are character shorthand that tell every potential suitor that you are caring and non-threatening, adept at looking after others, i.e. good spouse/family-making material - essential qualities in RomCom. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Want to be creative? Become anything where a normal person has miniscule opportunities to make an actual living - a photographer, illustrator, writer, designer of stuff, or choose one of the more creative jobs in media. You will still be guaranteed unprecedented success, big promotions and/or rave reviews. Even if you're currently a [[StarvingArtist starving artist]] who is [[WaitingForABreak still waiting for the breakthrough]] or just [[BrilliantButLazy lazy]], remember you're super talented and have unlimited potential! And the love of your life you've just met will thrust you in the right direction. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | Cooking has enough creative elements to be applicable. As a bonus, it handily offers opportunities for romantic gestures - like creating meals in unusual locations - and hints to your special someone that you are family-ready. If you're a man you should be a chef; if you're a woman try something smaller and cuter, like cupcakes. If you'd rather not physically create something yourself, become a hanger-on to the cultured and creative: try event planning, advertising/PR, music business, doing stuff at an art gallery, or running your own artsy corner shop. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | Creative jobs are useful in the RomCom world, as they have a cool and glamorous ring to them, yet sound like there could be a decent expected income to support your prospective family. They have vague job descriptions and irregular hours which free you for the romance, and you get a chance to meet a variety of colorful characters (especially at places like art galleries and little corner shops). It doesn't hurt here that the typical writer-creator of the Rom Com world can pour in some of [[MostWritersAreWriters their insight of the creative business]]. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Want money? Become a high-flying exec of an unspecified corporate entity or a lawyer without a good cause. This is character shorthand for you being a [[ControlFreak type-A]] [[{{Workaholic}} workaholic]] who's [[MarriedToTheJob married to their job]] and a total sell-out. Therefore, be prepared to change jobs ASAP to prove your creative or nurturing side (see: options 1 and 2) to your [[AllWorkVsAllPlay laidback love interest]], as currently you work for [[MegaCorp Evil]]. Remember, if you're too good and efficient at what you do, bad things will follow, [[Film/JustLikeHeaven like dying]]. |
| 15 | |
| 16 | So go ahead, [[PursueTheDreamJob pursue your chosen job]], opportunities are practically endless! (Restrictions may apply.) |
| 17 | |
| 18 | Compare with StockSuperheroDayJobs and OccupationTropes. See also MostWritersAreWriters, OneHourWorkWeek, StarvingArtist, LoveTropes, RomanticComedy. |
| 19 | ---- |
| 20 | !!Examples: |
| 21 | |
| 22 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 23 | |
| 24 | [[folder: Architects]] |
| 25 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 26 | * ''Film/TheCableGuy'' - he's an architect |
| 27 | * ''Film/FiveHundredDaysOfSummer'' - he's a (greeting card) writer turned architect |
| 28 | * ''Film/{{Click}}'' - he's an architect |
| 29 | * ''Film/FoolsRushIn'' - he's an architect |
| 30 | * ''Film/HouseSitter'' - he's an architect |
| 31 | * ''Film/ItsComplicated'' - he's an architect |
| 32 | * ''Film/JungleFever'' - he's an architect |
| 33 | * ''Film/TheLastKiss'' - he's an architect |
| 34 | * ''Film/LoveActually'' - he's an architect |
| 35 | * ''Film/TheMistressOfSpices''- he's an architect |
| 36 | * ''Film/MySuperExGirlfriend'' - he's an architect |
| 37 | * ''Film/OneFineDay'' - she's an architect |
| 38 | * ''Film/SleeplessInSeattle'' - he's an architect |
| 39 | * ''Film/ThreeMenAndABaby'' - he's an architect |
| 40 | * ''Film/ThreeToTango'' - he's an architect |
| 41 | * ''Film/YouMeAndDupree'' - he's an architect |
| 42 | |
| 43 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 44 | * ''Series/{{Partners|2012}}'' - he's an architect, so's the partner |
| 45 | * ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' - he's an architect |
| 46 | |
| 47 | [[AC:Web Video:]] |
| 48 | * Lampshaded in ''WebVideo/AfterHours'', where the RomanticComedy episode mocks the sheer number of architects in these movies. |
| 49 | [[/folder]] |
| 50 | |
| 51 | [[folder: Cooks & Chefs]] |
| 52 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 53 | * ''Film/{{Bridesmaids}}'' - she's a pastry chef |
| 54 | * ''Film/TheDevilWearsPrada'' - he's a chef |
| 55 | * ''Film/TheFiveYearEngagement'' - he's a chef |
| 56 | * ''Film/ItsComplicated'' - she's a pastry chef |
| 57 | * ''Film/TheKidsAreAllRight'' - he's a chef |
| 58 | * ''Film/LastHoliday'' - she's a chef |
| 59 | * ''Film/LifeAsWeKnowIt'' - she's a pastry chef |
| 60 | * ''Film/{{No Reservations|2007}}'' - he's a chef, she's a chef |
| 61 | * ''Film/RunFatboyRun'' - she's a pastry chef |
| 62 | * ''Film/SimplyIrresistible'' - she's a chef |
| 63 | * ''Film/{{Spanglish}}'' - he's a chef |
| 64 | * ''Film/StrangerThanFiction'' - she's a pastry chef. As a subversion, he's an IRS agent. |
| 65 | * ''Film/ThinkLikeAMan'' - he's a chef |
| 66 | * ''Film/WhatToExpectWhenYoureExpecting'' - he's a chef, she's a chef |
| 67 | |
| 68 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 69 | * ''Series/TwoBrokeGirls'' - she's a pastry chef, so's the other girl |
| 70 | * ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' - one of Ted's love interests, Victoria, was a pastry chef |
| 71 | * ''Series/{{Friends}}'' - Monica is a chef |
| 72 | * ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'' - Piper is a chef (turned bar owner) |
| 73 | [[/folder]] |
| 74 | |
| 75 | [[folder: Doctors of Medicine]] |
| 76 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 77 | * ''Film/TheExMrsBradford'' - he's a doctor |
| 78 | * ''Film/FrenchKiss'' - he's a doctor |
| 79 | * ''Film/JustLikeHeaven'' - she's a doctor |
| 80 | * ''Film/TheKidsAreAllRight'' - she's a doctor |
| 81 | * ''Film/{{No Strings Attached|2011}}'' - she's a doctor |
| 82 | * ''Film/SexAndTheSingleGirl'' - she's a psychiatrist |
| 83 | * ''Film/TheresSomethingAboutMary'' - she's a doctor |
| 84 | * ''Film/TheWeddingPlanner'' - he's a doctor |
| 85 | * ''Film/ValentinesDay'' - he's a doctor |
| 86 | [[/folder]] |
| 87 | |
| 88 | [[folder: Event Planners]] |
| 89 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 90 | * ''Film/GhostsOfGirlfriendsPast'' - she's a wedding planner |
| 91 | * ''Film/JustMyLuck'' - she's an event planner |
| 92 | * ''Film/ShesOutOfMyLeague''- she's an event planner |
| 93 | * ''Film/TheWeddingPlanner'' - [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin like it says in the title]], she's a wedding planner |
| 94 | [[/folder]] |
| 95 | |
| 96 | [[folder: Creative Media Jobs: Film, TV and Radio]] |
| 97 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 98 | * ''Film/TheAccidentalHusband'' - she works for radio |
| 99 | * ''Film/BridgetJonesDiary'' - she works for TV and publishing, so does he |
| 100 | * ''Film/DesignForLiving'' - LoveTriangle; she's a commercial artist, he's a painter, the other he is a playwright |
| 101 | * ''Film/GroundhogDay'' - he works for TV, she works for TV |
| 102 | * ''Film/TheHoliday'' - she's a movie trailer editor, he composes background music for movies |
| 103 | * ''Film/JustMarried''- He works in Radio |
| 104 | * ''Film/KnockedUp'' - she works for TV |
| 105 | * ''Film/LifeAsWeKnowIt'' - he works in TV |
| 106 | * ''Film/LifeOrSomethingLikeIt'' - she works for TV, he works for TV |
| 107 | * ''Film/AManAndAWoman'' - she works as a movie script supervisor. (He has a different exotic job, as a race car driver.) |
| 108 | * ''Film/MorningGlory'' - she works for TV, he works for TV |
| 109 | * ''Film/MrsDoubtfire'' - he's a voice actor, she's an interior designer |
| 110 | * ''Film/NottingHill'' - she's a film actress |
| 111 | * ''Film/{{No Strings Attached|2011}}'' - he is an assistant on a tv show set turned screenwriter |
| 112 | * ''Film/{{Phffft}}!'' - she's first a writer for the radio, and then the head writer for a TV show |
| 113 | * ''Film/SomeoneLikeYou'' - she works for TV, he works for TV |
| 114 | * ''Film/TheUglyTruth'' - she works for TV, he works for TV |
| 115 | * ''Film/ValentinesDay'' - he works for TV |
| 116 | * ''Film/LittleBlackBook'' - She works for TV |
| 117 | [[/folder]] |
| 118 | |
| 119 | [[folder: Creative Media Jobs: Print]] |
| 120 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 121 | * ''Film/BellBookAndCandle'' - he's a book publisher |
| 122 | * ''Film/TheBountyHunter'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 123 | * ''Film/ConfessionsOfAShopaholic'' - she works for a magazine, he works for a magazine |
| 124 | * ''Film/DefinitelyMaybe'' - she works for a magazine |
| 125 | * ''Film/DesigningWoman'' - he works as a newspaper reporter |
| 126 | * ''Film/TheDevilWearsPrada'' - she works for a magazine |
| 127 | * ''Film/FriendsWithBenefits'' - he works for a magazine |
| 128 | * ''Film/GoingTheDistance'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 129 | * ''Film/HeSaidSheSaid'' - she works for a newspaper, he works for a newspaper |
| 130 | * ''Film/HisGirlFriday'' - They're both newspaper reporters |
| 131 | * ''Film/{{Hitch}}'' - she is a gossip columnist for a newspaper |
| 132 | * ''Film/TheHoliday'' - she works for a newspaper, he's a book editor |
| 133 | * ''Film/HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days'' - she works for a magazine |
| 134 | * ''Film/HowToLoseFriendsAndAlienatePeople'' - she works for a magazine, he works for a magazine |
| 135 | * ''Film/ItHappenedOneNight'' - he works as a newspaper reporter |
| 136 | * ''Film/IfYouBelieve'' - she works as an editor for a publishing house, he's a novice writer |
| 137 | * ''Film/KissingJessicaStein'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 138 | * ''Film/LaborPains2000'' - She is a columnist. |
| 139 | * ''Film/LoveAgain'' - she's a children's book writer, he's an entertainment journalist |
| 140 | * ''Film/LoveAndOtherDisasters'' - she works for a magazine |
| 141 | * ''Film/MarleyAndMe'' - she works for a newspaper, he works for a newspaper |
| 142 | * ''Film/MyBestFriendsWedding'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 143 | * ''Film/NeverBeenKissed'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 144 | * ''Film/NothingSacred'' - he works as a newspaper reporter |
| 145 | * ''Film/OneFineDay'' - he works for a newspaper |
| 146 | * ''Film/ThePhiladelphiaStory'' - he is a reporter |
| 147 | * ''Film/TheProposal'' - she works in publishing |
| 148 | * ''Film/RomanHoliday'' - he works as a newspaper reporter |
| 149 | * ''Film/RunawayBride'' - he works for a newspaper |
| 150 | * ''Film/SexAndTheSingleGirl'' - he works as a tabloid newspaper reporter |
| 151 | * ''Film/SixDaysSevenNights'' - she works for a magazine |
| 152 | * ''Film/SleeplessInSeattle'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 153 | * ''Film/TamaraDrewe'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 154 | * ''Film/ThankYouForSmoking'' - she is a newpaper reporter |
| 155 | * ''Film/ThirdFingerLeftHand'' - she works as a magazine editor |
| 156 | * ''Film/ThirteenGoingOnThirty'' - she is a junior magazine editor |
| 157 | * ''Film/TwentySevenDresses'' - he works for a newspaper |
| 158 | * ''Film/WhenHarryMetSally'' - she works for a newspaper |
| 159 | |
| 160 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 161 | * ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'' - she works as an advice columnist |
| 162 | [[/folder]] |
| 163 | |
| 164 | [[folder: Music Biz Jobs]] |
| 165 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 166 | * ''Film/ThisIsForty'' - he runs a record label |
| 167 | * ''Film/MusicAndLyrics''- he's a musician |
| 168 | * ''Film/TheWeddingSinger'' - he's a musician |
| 169 | * ''Film/AboutABoy'' - he's a musician |
| 170 | * ''Film/JustFriends'' - he's a record exec |
| 171 | * ''Film/JustMyLuck'' - he's a music manager |
| 172 | * ''Film/NewYearsEve'' - he's a record exec |
| 173 | * ''Film/LoveWithTheProperStranger'' - he's a musician |
| 174 | [[/folder]] |
| 175 | |
| 176 | [[folder: Non-Media Creative Jobs]] |
| 177 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 178 | * ''Film/{{Head Over Heels|2001}}'' - she's an art restorer |
| 179 | * ''Film/WhenInRome'' - she's an art curator |
| 180 | * ''Film/TheExMrsBradford'' - she's a writer |
| 181 | * ''Film/MySuperExGirlfriend'' - she's an art curator |
| 182 | * ''Film/TheKidsAreAllRight'' - she's an aspiring landscape designer |
| 183 | * ''Film/TheTaoOfSteve'' - she's an opera designer |
| 184 | * ''Film/SweetHomeAlabama'' - she is a fashion designer |
| 185 | * ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' - she is a fashion designer |
| 186 | * ''Film/DesigningWoman'' - she is a fashion designer |
| 187 | * ''Film/GrownUps'' - she is a fashion designer |
| 188 | * ''Film/{{Roberta}}'' - she is a fashion designer |
| 189 | * ''Film/FoolsRushIn'' - she's a photographer |
| 190 | * ''Film/TwoDaysInParis'' - she's a photographer, he's an interior designer |
| 191 | * ''Film/LoveAndOtherDisasters'' - he's a photographer |
| 192 | * ''Film/GhostsOfGirlfriendsPast'' - he's a photographer |
| 193 | * ''Film/WhatToExpectWhenYoureExpecting'' - she's a photographer |
| 194 | * ''Film/ALotLikeLove'' - she's a photographer |
| 195 | * ''Film/HopeFloats'' - she's an aspiring photographer, he designs and makes furniture |
| 196 | * ''Film/LaborPains2000'' - he's a painter |
| 197 | * ''Film/LoveActually'' - he's a writer |
| 198 | * ''Film/MagicMike'' - he designs and makes furniture (and as a notable subversion, he strips) |
| 199 | * ''Film/WhileYouWereSleeping'' - he designs and makes furniture |
| 200 | * ''Film/MustLoveDogs'' - he designs and makes boats |
| 201 | * ''Film/RubySparks'' - he's a writer |
| 202 | * ''Film/TheodoraGoesWild'' - she's a writer and he's a book illustrator. |
| 203 | * ''Film/ChasingAmy'' - they're both comic book artists |
| 204 | * ''Film/NewYearsEve'' - he's a comic book artist |
| 205 | * ''Film/WhatWomenWant'' - he's in advertising, she's in advertising |
| 206 | * ''Film/HowToLoseAGuyIn10Days'' - he's in advertising |
| 207 | * ''Film/{{Boomerang|1992}}'' - he's in advertising, she's in advertising |
| 208 | * ''Film/FriendsWithKids'' - he's in advertising |
| 209 | * ''Film/LoverComeBack'' - he's in advertising, she's in advertising |
| 210 | * ''Film/ValentinesDay'' - she's a publicist |
| 211 | |
| 212 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 213 | * ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'' - Prue works as a photographer, as well as an art curator |
| 214 | * ''Series/{{Whitney}}'' - she is a photographer |
| 215 | [[/folder]] |
| 216 | |
| 217 | [[folder: Shop Owners]] |
| 218 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 219 | * ''Film/BellBookAndCandle'' - she has a shop dealing in African art |
| 220 | * ''Film/ExitStrategy'' - he runs an independent second hand shop |
| 221 | * ''Film/HighFidelity'' - he runs an independent record shop |
| 222 | * ''Film/ImagineMeAndYou'' - she is a florist with an indpendent shop |
| 223 | * ''Film/TheMistressOfSpices'' - She has a spice shop. |
| 224 | * ''Film/NottingHill'' - he runs an independent book shop |
| 225 | * ''Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007'' - he runs an independent sports' shop |
| 226 | * ''Film/ThisIsForty'' - she runs an independent clothes' shop |
| 227 | * ''Film/YouveGotMail'' - she runs an independent book shop |
| 228 | [[/folder]] |
| 229 | |
| 230 | [[folder: Teachers]] |
| 231 | [[AC:Film:]] |
| 232 | * ''Film/BadTeacher'' - she's a teacher, he's a teacher |
| 233 | * ''Film/BrideWars'' - she's a teacher |
| 234 | * ''Film/FrenchKiss'' - she's a teacher |
| 235 | * ''Film/JustFriends'' - she's a teacher |
| 236 | * ''Film/MeetTheParents'' - she's a teacher |
| 237 | * ''Film/MustLoveDogs'' - she's a teacher |
| 238 | * ''Film/MyBigFatGreekWedding'' - he's a teacher |
| 239 | * ''Film/ThePerfectCatch'' - he's a teacher |
| 240 | * ''Film/ValentinesDay'' - she's a teacher |
| 241 | * ''Film/YouMeAndDupree''- she's a teacher |
| 242 | |
| 243 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 244 | * ''Series/NewGirl'' - she's a teacher |
| 245 | [[/folder]] |
| 246 | |
| 247 | [[folder: The Rom Com Job Complete Set]] |
| 248 | [[AC:Film]] |
| 249 | * Korean romantic comedy ''Film/MarriageBlue'' is a HyperlinkStory about four couples all on the verge of marriage. Among the jobs these people hold are chef, flower shop owner, baseball coach, wedding planner, manicurist, theme park performer, and comic book writer/artist. |
| 250 | * ''Film/HesJustNotThatIntoYou'': Gigi, Janine, Beth, and Ben all work unspecified office jobs (though it's implied that Ben works at some sort of talent agency and that Beth works in marketing), Conor is a real estate agent, Anna is a yoga instructor and singer, and Mary works in the advertising department of a local newspaper. |
| 251 | |
| 252 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 253 | * ''Series/{{Friends}}'' - Ross is a college teacher, Rachel works in fashion, Monica is a chef, Chandler becomes a copywriter, Phoebe is a masseuse and a quirky singer, Mike gives up being a lawyer to become a professional pianist, Joey is an actor. |
| 254 | * ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' - Lily is a teacher turned art buyer, Marshall is an environmental lawyer, Robin works for TV, Ted is an architect (and a college teacher!). Ted's love interests include a pastry chef, a doctor, a bass player who studies economics to solve the world poverty (The Mother). Robin dates two TV anchors, and both Barney and Ted date two of Robin's colleagues from the TV station - Nora and Becky. Barney becomes a professional blogger. Even [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname Blah Blah]] was a handbag designer. |
| 255 | * ''Series/SexAndTheCity'' - Carrie is a writer; Samantha is a PR person; Charlotte runs an art gallery. As a subversion, Miranda is a lawyer, yet she doesn't have to give up her career for a man. |
| 256 | * ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' - Lorelai runs a historical inn, Luke owns a bistro, Rory is a journalist, Jess joins a small publishing house and writes, Sookie is a chef, Jackson grows fruit and vegetables; Logan probably ends up working for his family business, which involves newspaper and media. Lorelai also dated Max Medina, a teacher. Paris owns a fertility clinic (she's a doctor ''and'' a lawyer), Doyle is a screenwriter (they met when working for ''Daily Yale News''; despite their glorious Rom Com jobs, they are getting divorced in the revival miniseries.) |
| 257 | [[/folder]] |
| 258 | |
| 259 | [[folder: Lampshaded/Parodied/Conversed]] |
| 260 | [[AC:Live Action TV:]] |
| 261 | * ''Series/BrooklynNineNine'', "Greg & Larry": Amy and Charles watch ''Film/TwentySevenDresses'' on a plane. It's supposed to be a distraction to keep Amy from spiralling, but she can't focus. |
| 262 | -->'''Charles:''' You okay?\ |
| 263 | '''Amy:''' Yeah, yeah. I'm just so into the movie, you know, really worried about Katherine Heigl and her dressmaking business.\ |
| 264 | '''Charles:''' I'm sorry, dressmaking business?\ |
| 265 | '''Amy:''' Her architecture firm? Her cupcake bakery. The magazine she edits?\ |
| 266 | '''Charles:''' Jane is the executive assistant to an outdoor lifestyle entrepreneur. You're not even watching! |
| 267 | [[/folder]] |
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