What is the life of a carnie like?
What is the life of a carnie like?
Day to day life of carnies depends on what’s going on that particular day. On days when a show is going, work usually starts sometime late in the morning or early afternoon. Ride operators inspect their rides, game operators clean the games and restock their prizes. Foods does prep work.
What do carnies do in winter?
Some of the carnies stay with the show when it goes to winter quarters in Tampa for repairs and refurbishing. During the carnival season, April through November, they rarely sleep anywhere other than the sleeping quarters in the tractor-trailers.
How are carnies paid?
It all depends on the ticket sales for the day. Usually a percentage, sometimes with a token guarantee. Without a great outside talker, no one makes any money. There has been no set salary for “a carnie” for many a decade, it’s not like not the Screen Actors Guild.
How does being a carnie work?
Carny, also spelled carnie, is an informal term used in North America for a traveling carnival employee, and the language they use, particularly when the employee operates a game (“joint”), food stand (“grab”, “popper” or “floss wagon”), or ride (“ride jock”) at a carnival.
What is carny language?
Did you know there exists a secret carnival language spoken by professional wrestlers? It’s called Cizarny (or Cizarnizy). Or, in English, it’s called Carny. It’s not technically a language, per se, but an argot—sort of like Pig Latin.
Does carnival treat their employees well?
Overall, a great company to work with. Lots of international employees so one can get a sence of different cultures and lifestyles. HR and leadership is very supportive.
