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From landlords to chai vendors: Bengaluru's unofficial career ladder goes viral

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In India’s Silicon Valley, where tech giants and startups dominate the skyline, there’s another side to Bengaluru’s thriving economy. It is not built on coding or data but on hustle, humour, and a smart understanding of urban chaos in the IT capital.

As the cost of living soars and the jobs in the market have become harder to crack or sustain, many locals are trying their hands at unusual professions that are also surprisingly lucrative. Whether it’s renting out rooms, selling roadside snacks, or managing basic utilities like water, these lesser-seen careers are proving to be smart bets in the city’s fast-changing scene.

For many, the typical 9-to-5 has started to lose its charm, not just because of job saturation but due to the increasing unpredictability of tech-sector roles. Amidst layoffs and stiff competition, some have begun finding a better Return on Investment (RoI) in small businesses, real estate side gigs, and niche services that look to the city’s ever-growing urban sprawl.


These might not look glamorous on paper, but they’re often more stable than chasing the next tech unicorn, and recently, a viral tweet has given these careers the recognition they deserve.

Viral tweet talks about the these professions

A Bengaluru woman recently posted a witty tweet titled "Top careers in BIR, ranked by ROI" that hilariously captures the spirit of the city’s unofficial but booming industries. Her cheeky list included the “Indiranagar landlord” at the top, which represented the area’s sky-high rental rates and the passive income landlords pull in monthly.

Close on the list was the “Koramangala broker,” representing the ever-busy middlemen who guide tenants through the maze of rentals, usually at quite a hefty commission. The tweet took a playful jab at some characters like “the painter who mysteriously disappears after completing 70% of the job” and the “PG kingpin who crams six beds into a single room.”

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She also threw light on the “yellow water tank CEO,” indicating Bengaluru's growing dependence on private water supply and the “coworking space owner” managing dozens of under-construction buildings dotting the skyline.


Social media users quickly jumped in with their hilarious comments

One pointed out the “chai vendor outside IT parks, known for mastering the art of pricing,” while another mentioned the “Zomato delivery rider who somehow manages to arrive before your manager even responds to messages.” Others included the “Cubbon Park corn seller,” the “legend who owns the only parking space in all of HSR Layout,” and the always-present “Udupi tiffin owner” found on nearly every street.

Another user even hilariously re-formed ROI as “Return on Indianness,” representing the entrepreneurial chaos and charm that makes Bengaluru so unique. As much as the tweet made people laugh, it also resonated well with the users, revealing how in India’s tech capital, survival often means thinking way outside the cubicle!
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