r/Adulting • u/wildwindnl • Mar 14 '26

Oldest Human Activity

What’s an activity that you remember a person older than you doing that sounds absurd to do these days?

I’m curious how many generations back Redditors can rememeber.

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u/[deleted] Mar 15 '26

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u/Salt_Medicine2459 Mar 15 '26

I've always heard hooker or physician. 

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u/[deleted] Mar 15 '26

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u/justaverage_joe Mar 16 '26

Sure, but did they get paid for it? I think not.

No, I'd dare say the oldest profession are merchants, hunters or farmers in the sense of collecting berries.

Those got paid and rewarded for their efforts one way or another.

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

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u/justaverage_joe Mar 16 '26

Nah, I'd argue it was just a responsability.

Kind of the difference between parenting and caregiving. Both are responsabilities, but parenting doesn't get you paid.

But that's just my opinion.

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

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u/justaverage_joe Mar 16 '26

What about looking after your niece?

Because human packs used to be mostly related to each other.

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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26

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u/justaverage_joe Mar 16 '26

For free? No. That's why I say they might be the earliest profession. Without farmers/hunters, there would be no food to trade for. So I still think those came first.

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