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The Lowest Paying Job in America Is “Shampooer”?

Think your job stinks? It could be worse. It turns out the lowest paying job in America is… one you probably didn’t even know exists.

Our friends over at Stacker.com did a deep dive to rank the lowest paying full-time jobs in the United States, and servers can breathe a sigh of relief. Waiting tables barely made the cut, landing at #50 on the list. That means there are at least 49 gigs that pay even less. Here are the Top 10, and what the average full-time worker makes in a year.

1. Shampooer ($30,830)

Yep, it’s a real job title. They’re the folks who wash your hair at salons before the stylist takes over. It’s often an entry-level job for people who want to become stylists but don’t have enough experience yet.

2. Fast food cook ($31,140)

If you’re behind the fryer but never at the counter, this is you. It doesn’t pay great, but there are some perks… like constant grease burns and getting to smell like French fries after every shift.

3. Amusement and recreation attendant ($31,350)

Think carnival workers, ride operators, and concession stand staff. Basically, anyone handing you cotton candy or buckling you into a ride you’re not 100% sure you’ll survive.

4. Fast food counter worker ($31,350)

They earn a little more than the cooks, mostly because they deal with customers. And let’s face it, customers can be tougher than the deep fryer.

5. Usher, lobby attendant, or ticket taker ($31,770)

Those smiling faces at theaters and concert venues? Spoiler alert: they’re probably making less than the price of your ticket.

6. Cashier ($31,810)

One of the most common jobs in America with more than 3 million people scanning barcodes and making change. If their attitude isn’t great, now you know why.

7. Host or hostess ($32,030)

The folks who deal with the riffraff out front earn about $6,000 less per year than the servers who take your order and bring your food.

8. Gambling and sports book writer/runner ($32,570)

They help facilitate bets at casinos and racetracks, or run games like keno. The house always wins, but the workers definitely don’t.

9. Child care worker ($33,140)

Babysitters, daycare staff, and nannies have some of the most important jobs in the world – if only they got paid like it.

10. Dishwasher ($33,220)

Closing out the Top 10 is that guy in the kitchen doing the dirty work – to the tune of about $1,500 more per year than the smiling hostess out front. (And $80 more than the person watching your toddler all day!)

The big picture? Most of these jobs pay in the low-to-mid $30k range, which doesn’t go far when rent, gas, and groceries keep climbing. So the next time you meet someone working one of these gigs, maybe give them a little extra patience – or a tip – because they’re not exactly cashing in.

Lefties Unite! 10 Sneaky Things Designed for Right-Handed People

International Left-Handers Day (August 13th) is one of those silly holidays no one pays attention to, except the 1 in 10 folks – like myself – who have to spend every day operating in a world that’s basically a giant right-handed playground.

If you’re a righty, you likely don’t realize how many small, everyday things are stacked against us. I’m not saying we deserve our own handicapped spaces, but living in a world designed for righties comes with all sorts of disadvantages we just learn to adapt to.

Even a lot of left-handed folks don’t fully realize how many products are designed and engineered without even the slightest nod to the the sinistral portion of the population that makes up roughly 10% of the world.

Fun fact: The scientific term for left-handedness – “sinistral” – comes from the Latin “sinister,” meaning “left”… because ya’ll used to think we were witches and warlocks. Seriously.

Sure, the big offenders like scissors and can openers get all the press. But the real betrayals are sneakier. Let’s take a tour of the subtle design choices that feel like a personal attack if you’re a lefty.

Zippers on jeans

That flap covering the zipper? It’s always on the left, which means trying to zip with your left hand is basically an Olympic-level sport.

Credit card machines

The swipe slot is always on the right side. And if there’s a pen, it’s tethered to the right too. Same story at banks.

Measuring cups

Hold it in your left hand and suddenly you’re measuring in milliliters instead of ounces. Not a problem if you’re doing metric, but this is ‘Merica! (Luckily, left-handed bakers do have options now.)

Car fobs with flip-out keys

The switchblade-style ones are designed so righties can flip them open smoothly. Lefties? It opens into the palm of your hand unless you do it upside down and push the button with your finger instead of your thumb.

Microwaves

Hit the open button with your left hand and get smacked in the arm by the door. Every. Single. Time.

Rulers and tape measures

Use one left-handed and the numbers are upside down. Why you gotta be sabotaging my DIY projects all the time!?

Power tools

This one’s a serious safety issue! Chop saw handles are commonly on the right, meaning lefties have to cross their arms over the blade like they’re auditioning for a workplace safety video.

Novelty coffee mugs

If there’s only printing on one side, it’s usually placed for righties so everyone else sees the funny design. Lefties get to see it, but don’t get to share. Everyone else just sees the blank side.

Playing cards

Many decks only have numbers in two corners, which means if you’re playing left-handed, you’re basically flying blind.

Serrated knives

The teeth are angled for right-hand cutting, so lefties end up slicing bread thicker at the bottom and thinner at the top. Seriously, it’s a thing that even most lefties don’t know about. They sell special left-handed knives now that would cause the same issue if righties tried to use them.

Yes, it’s a right-handed world out there, and lefties have to adapt every day. So if there’s a special lefty in your life, maybe buy them a pair of lefty scissors and a mug with printing on both sides. It’s the little things.

Parents Feel Like “Bad Parents” 156 Times a Year, and Honestly, That Feels Low

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen at 8:00 p.m. while your kid eats microwave mac & cheese off a frisbee and thought, “I am crushing this parenting thing,” congratulations… you’re delusional. But at least you’re in good company.

A new survey finds that the average parent feels like a “bad” parent three times a week. That’s 156 times a year where you genuinely question if letting your toddler watch six episodes of Paw Patrol in a row was character-building or just a cry for help.

And 45% of parents say this whole raising-humans gig is way more demanding than they expected.

Which is probably because nobody warned us that “sleep training” actually means “everyone cries and no one sleeps.”

On top of that, parents stumble into two situations a week they have absolutely no clue how to handle. Like, should you negotiate with a child who’s screaming because their banana broke in half? Or just light the kitchen on fire and start over?

Also, parents say they need a break from parenting twice a week.

That sounds reasonable… until you realize “a break” usually means hiding in the bathroom scrolling memes while someone shouts your name like you’re a customer service hotline.

But here’s the good news: Kids make their parents laugh 12 times a day. Which is beautiful, really. Between the existential dread and the juice-box explosions, these tiny chaos machines are apparently also hilarious. (Example: A four-year-old once called the cops on his mom for eating his ice cream. Case closed, Your Honor.)

Most Aggressive Dishwasher Ever

Good news: Your dishes are done.

Bad news: You need new dishes.

Are These the Best Old-School Arcade Games of All Time?

If you grew up in the glow of an arcade cabinet, pumping quarters into machines and battling for high scores, you’re not alone. The golden age of arcade games holds a special place in many hearts—and now, the internet has spoken.

Ranker.com recently asked readers to vote for the best classic arcade games of all time, and the results are basically a love letter to joysticks, 8-bit soundtracks, and pixelated glory. Spoiler: Pac-Man still rules the maze.

Here’s the full Top 20 list:

Pac-Man – The OG icon of arcade gaming chomps its way to #1.
Galaga – Pew pew! Still one of the most satisfying space shooters ever made.
Street Fighter II – Where friendships went to die. Or at least took a punch.
Donkey Kong – The game that gave us Mario and barrels of rage.
Frogger – Teaching us the dangers of traffic long before driving school.
Space Invaders – Those aliens just never quit.
Mortal Kombat – Finish him! (And maybe traumatize young gamers everywhere.)
Asteroids – A vector-graphic classic. Still hypnotic.
Ms. Pac-Man – She’s faster, tougher, and has better mazes than her man.
Double Dragon – Tag-team street fighting at its finest.
Dig Dug – Blowing up underground monsters with a bike pump never gets old.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Arcade Game – Cowabunga, dudes!
Centipede – Speed, precision, and mushroom warfare.
Defender – Rescue mission meets button-mashing chaos.
Mario Bros. – Before the Super came along, this was the humble beginning.
1942 – Old-school air combat with a side of loop-de-loops.
Gauntlet – “Wizard needs food, badly.”
Rampage – Smash buildings, eat people, be a monster. Therapeutic.
Golden Axe – Swords, magic, and side-scrolling brawls.
The Simpsons Arcade Game – A chaotic and hilarious family beat-’em-up.

Whether you were Team Joystick or just there for the greasy pizza and neon lights, this list hits all the right nostalgia buttons. And if you’re thinking “Hey, where’s [insert your favorite]?” — the list actually goes to 100+, so it’s probably on there. Check it out.

Ryan Seacrest’s New Photos Spark Concern: Is He Too Thin, or Just Fit?

Ryan Seacrest has found himself the subject of online health speculation after sharing a few casual photos on Monday. While most of the pictures show him mid-workout and looking active, one in particular—snapped outside on a deck with his hands in his pockets—has fans raising eyebrows. The Internet’s verdict? Seacrest looks “too thin.”

The post has triggered a wave of concern and commentary, with people tossing around words like “frail,” “gaunt,” and even wondering aloud if he might be taking a weight loss drug.

The gossip mill kicked into full gear with some calling his appearance “alarming,” despite the fact that he looks strong and energetic in other pictures from the same batch.

Seacrest, who’ll be 51 in December, reportedly hasn’t made any dramatic lifestyle changes outside of a new fitness routine. A source close to him told media outlets that he’s perfectly healthy, but that his updated workouts have had a “visible change” on his body. That might explain the sudden shift fans are noticing—though it doesn’t seem to have calmed the noise online.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the public has overanalyzed a celebrity’s body, and it certainly won’t be the last.

But in this case, it seems the reaction may be a bit overblown. Seacrest has long been known for his tireless work ethic, packed schedule, and overall commitment to wellness. If he’s just leveling up his fitness game, maybe the Internet should take a deep breath and chill.

Dolly Parton Says She Eats This One Food Every Day

Despite being a music icon, a fashion legend, and a national treasure, Dolly Parton’s go-to comfort food proves she’s still very much one of us: potatoes.

Yup, the queen of country recently confessed during an appearance on the Today show that she eats potatoes every single day. “I have to have something with potatoes,” she said.

“I mean, I’m just one of those people that I have to either have a baked potato, some mashed potatoes, some french fries, or something to do with potatoes.”

Honestly? Relatable. Carbs are the great equalizer.

The 78-year-old superstar isn’t about complicated or flashy food either. She said she just looks for “good, hearty food”—the kind that sticks to your ribs and makes you feel at home. That philosophy shows up in her cooking too: Dolly’s line of frozen comfort meals is wildly popular, and her Southern-style cookbook is full of down-home classics.

Fans online didn’t need long to chime in with their approval.

Social media lit up with people praising her taste and, in some cases, proudly declaring themselves fellow “potato people.”

In a world of fad diets and celebrity detox teas, Dolly’s loyalty to mashed and fried spuds is refreshingly grounded.

So if your dinner plans tonight include fries, tots, or a buttery heap of mash, you’re in good company. Turns out Dolly Parton is right there with you.

(And if you want to eat like Dolly, you can check out her frozen meals or grab her cookbook that she wrote with her sister, Rachel. Just don’t skip the potatoes.)

The 25 Best TV Dads

With Father’s Day on the horizon, we’re giving TV’s finest fathers their moment. From wholesome to hilarious, stern to completely unhinged, these 25 small-screen dads have earned their place in pop culture history.

Whether they gave heartfelt advice or just grumbled from their recliner, these iconic characters helped define what it meant to be a “TV dad.” Here’s the list, presented alphabetically by first name.

Al Bundy, Married with Children – The shoe salesman with a sharp tongue and even sharper sarcasm.
Andy Taylor, The Andy Griffith Show – The gold standard for calm, wise parenting in Mayberry.
Archie Bunker, All in the Family – Flawed, loud, and unforgettable.
Bob Belcher, Bob’s Burgers – A burger-slinging dad who supports his quirky family unconditionally.
Carl Winslow, Family Matters – Chicago cop, full-time dad, part-time neighbor wrangler.
Dan Conner, Roseanne – A working-class dad with a big heart and better sense than he gets credit for.
Danny Tanner, Full House – The clean freak with three daughters and the most wholesome hugs in the ’90s.
Frank Lambert, Step by Step – Stepfamily chaos? Frank handled it with charm and a mullet.
Fred Sanford, Sanford and Son – Always one faux heart attack away from getting out of an argument.
Herman Munster, The Munsters – Frankenstein’s monster with a heart of gold.
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons – The blueprint for animated dads everywhere: lazy, loud, and lovable.
Howard Cunningham, Happy Days – America’s ideal mid-century dad with an open heart and front porch wisdom.
Jason Seaver, Growing Pains – Psychiatrist by day, sitcom dad by night.
Michael Bluth, Arrested Development – The only semi-functional adult in a sea of dysfunction.
Mike Brady, The Brady Bunch – The original blended-family blueprint.
Peter Griffin, Family Guy – Not the brightest, but always entertaining.
Phil Dunphy, Modern Family – Dad jokes perfected.
Philip Banks, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Uncle Phil to Will, but a father figure to all of us.
Phillip Drummond, Diff’rent Strokes – A millionaire who opened his home and heart.
Red Forman, That ’70s Show – Tough love and a foot poised for your rear.
Steven Keaton, Family Ties – Liberal ex-hippie trying to parent a Republican teen.
Tim Taylor, Home Improvement – Power tool enthusiast, parenting work-in-progress.
Tom Bradford, Eight Is Enough – Managing a household of eight kids with calm dad energy.
Tony Micelli, Who’s the Boss? – Housekeeper, baseball player, and Mr. Mom before it was a thing.
Ward Cleaver, Leave It to Beaver – The OG classic dad, all pipe-smoking patience and timeless advice.

Did we leave your favorite off the list? Or include someone you think shouldn’t be anywhere near it? Sound off in the comments—but remember, even Homer’s trying his best.

Most People Only Get 20 Minutes a Day to Themselves

Remember “me time”? It’s that magical stretch of peace where no one’s asking you to find a missing sock, answer an email, or attend a Zoom meeting. For most Americans, that concept now lives in the same fantasy realm as flying cars and affordable rent.

A new report from Talker Research finds that the average American gets just 9.5 hours of alone time per month.

That’s about 20 minutes per day, or roughly enough time to scroll through your phone, realize you’re out of snacks, and question all your life choices.

What’s eating up all our time? The usual suspects: family obligations, work demands, financial stress, social responsibilities, and the ever-persistent feeling of guilt. Apparently, setting boundaries is hard when your to-do list includes making dinner, paying bills, and pretending you didn’t see that group text.

But here’s how badly people want a break. On average, Americans say they’d pay $2,521 for one completely uninterrupted day to themselves. Parents say they’d pay even more, $3,668. And let’s be honest, if you’ve ever hidden in the bathroom just to breathe, this sounds like a bargain.

Sleep is also a hot commodity. The average person would pay $340 for just one extra hour of shut-eye.

In total, 53% of people say they aren’t getting enough time to themselves. And nearly 38% admit they’ve lied to their partners, friends, or family just to get some space.

Classic excuses include “I’m not feeling well,” “I’ve got a lot of work,” “I have an appointment,” and the old reliable: “My phone’s about to die.”

So if someone tells you they’re taking a personal day, don’t judge… they’re probably just trying to reclaim their precious 20 minutes of peace.

These Everyday Pet Peeves Are Driving Us Nuts—Which Ones Are on Your List?

What’s something small that totally wrecks your mood? If you’ve ever snapped because someone chewed too loudly or your phone buzzed during a meeting, you’re not alone.

A poll commissioned by the brand CBDfx reveals even the tiniest disruptions can seriously stress us out.

You’ll probably encounter at least one of them today, and here’s the through line: if there’s one thing that consistently annoys the hell out of us, it’s… other people. (Yeah, I’m lookin’ at you! 🫵)

Here are the Top 10 minor annoyances that disproportionately get under our skin:

1. Running into someone you’d rather avoid. Whether it’s an ex, an enemy, or just someone you don’t exactly enjoy–it’s never fun when you have to go into “fake friend” mode.

2. A surprise knock at the door. In this day and age, they didn’t at least call first? Or better yet, text? (See #6 below)

3. People talking to you when you need some peace and quiet. Like when you’re in the middle of a work project, and your cubicle mate Todd chimes in with, “If a tomato is a fruit, does that mean ketchup counts as a smoothie??” (Sure, Todd. Now STFU!)

4. Slow or spotty Wi-Fi. In an age where everything’s online, even a 10-second Wi-Fi hiccup can feel like you’re being suffocated.

5. Loud chewing. I hate to keep picking on Todd, but…

6. Getting a phone call from someone out of the blue. It wasn’t that long ago when random phone calls were seen as a nice surprise. But now it’s like a personal affront. (And God help you if you FaceTime me out of nowhere.)

7. Heavy breathing. (See #5)

8. Alarms going off. It doesn’t matter what the alarm sound is, you’ll learn to hate it. It’s why you should never use a favorite song as your morning alarm sound–it’ll be your least favorite in under a week.

9. A flood of text notifications. If you add me to a group text with more than 5 people, we might not be friends anymore.

10. Phone dings during work meetings. Honestly, that one’s on me. I should have had it on vibrate.

Each thing on the list might be no big deal as a one-off, but they do add up fast–especially in a world that’s already overstimulated and constantly connected.

Whether it’s the awkwardness of a surprise visit or the rage-inducing crunch crunch crunch of nearby snacking, these everyday annoyances can trigger an outsized emotional response.

How to calm down after these little disruptions?

According to the same survey, the top method for de-stressing is simple: listening to some music. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by minor irritations, maybe it’s time to reach for your headphones.

The poll found other go-to options include deep breathing, or snuggling your pet. (Please, just don’t do those deep breathing exercises if I’m within earshot!)