Embarrassing Professions

Why are certain professions just too embarrassing to be mentioned in public?

June Humphrey, sounding a little nostalgic...
When I was a child I tried my utmost to keep from my friends and classmates my father's occupation, which was a funeral director. It was always a bad moment when I had to state father's occupation, to get a penfriend. The fact that he was the MD, and had other business interests and property, didn't even come into it - he was an undertaker. But, before that, I was so pleased that he was able to provide me with various aspects of his trade to play with - face squares, and as much cotton wool as I ever wanted for my dolls. According to my mother, this horrified other parents, but of course I was completely unaware.

Sylvia Hookham admits...
When I qualified as a school teacher I realised that to admit to it was the kiss of death to romance. I used to go dancing near York and whenever conversation got round to jobs I always said that I made green Smarties at Rowntrees. Why Green?