I took a moment to read the Globe and Mail one morning and came across this gem:
After analyzing 15,000 Harlequin books, neuroscientists Ogi Ogas and Sai Gaddam came up with a list of the top 10 most popular professions for heroes in romance novels, reports Mediabistro.com. They are: 1. Doctor, 2. Cowboy, 3. Boss, 4. Prince, 5. Rancher, 6. Knight, 7. Surgeon, 8. King, 9. Bodyguard, 10. Sheriff.
Let’s just take a look at the top five. I know they come from romance novels that are meant to help us escape the trials of everyday life but I’m just not sure these are the right kind of occupations.
Doctor – smart, rich but never home
Cowboy – fit, tanned but always smells like horses
Boss – not sure about this one. Boss of whom? Is there such as thing as a generic boss? If there is, he is probably underpaid and a little on the dumpy side.
Prince – I’m not sure that having a kingdom is all it’s cracked up to be. Good if you like attending “functions” and always fake-smiling.
Rancher – see cowboy above except substitute cows. On the upside though, he could be the Marlborough Man.
How come you never see these titles in romance novels?
Teacher – steady income and summers off.
Candy Maker – creative and might have a test kitchen in your basement.
Massage Therapist – do I really need to explain this?
Pirate – exotic destinations and lots of gold.
I would much rather date a teacher than a cowboy but that’s just me. Maybe I need a richer fantasy life.