CHAUFFEUR

OK, you don't like large crowds, but you still like driving people around. Consider working as a chauffeur. When most of us think of chauffeurs, we imagine a mysterious gentleman dressed in a black suit and cap, driving a millionaire to his country club. Actually, most chauffeurs today aren't employed by private citizens, and they don't need to dress quite as formally.

You still need to be presentable, clean and neat, and usually in a jacket and tie if you're a man. After all, you are representing a company or an image the paying passenger may want to convey to a business client or even a date. Drivers will be regularly asked to take people to work or home from a late night at the office. You may be asked to take a couple to the prom, a bride to her wedding, or a family to their grandmother's funeral. In some cases, you may work for one wealthy individual or family, staying on call and shuttling members wherever they need to go.

Your day starts with checking your vehicle to make sure not only that it is in good working condition but that it is shiny, neat, and in order. This may mean stocking it with a variety of drinks, newspapers, and magazines.

When collecting your passengers, you will be expected to greet them at the door, help them load their belongings, and assist them in entering and exiting the vehicle. They will determine what radio station, if any, is to be played and may give you favored routes to a destination. You will need to remain cheerful and even-tempered even if you disagree with a choice or dislike a selection.

In some cases, you will find yourself playing tour guide for someone who is new to the area. As a result, you need to be familiar with popular attractions such as zoos, museums, sporting teams, restaurants, and theater. You may be asked to make recommendations, so your base of knowledge needs to be broad and deep.

You will have to have a little business experience because you will need to know how to handle the billing as required by your company. This means you need to handle paperwork such as credit card receipts, or make change for those companies that still operate with cash. At the end of each shift, you will report your trips and earnings back to your company, keeping the tips for yourself.

As a chauffeur, you will have the potential to meet fascinating people. If you make a good impression, you may be asked for by name in the future. Many drivers end up meeting celebrities at some point in their careers. On the East and West Coasts, drivers are sometimes hired to ferry stars to events or back and forth to movie or television sets. Your job future depends on your ability to be personable and discreet whether the passenger is a rock star or an exhausted businessperson. If a person wants to chat, you need to keep up your end of the conversation. If a person prefers not to have a conversation, you need to maintain silence. At all times, the passenger sets the tone for the trip. And each trip is different, which has a special appeal all its own.