So what do you do?

They probably ask that for the same reason they ask "How are you?" when they say "hello".. "hello! How are you?" I mean, a stranger asking me how I am? And I am supposed to believe they care or are really concerned about how I am? No, it is just part of the greeting. I have put it to the test.. and literally told a person "how I was" when they asked and after they got done shaking the marbles in their head, they didn't say anything else. If you don't want to hear the answer... don't ask the question!!! Asking what they do is just part of the intro. Depending on the person, I will or won't tell them what I do. And those that I know are just being nosey.. I'll make something up.. this one guy was really bothering me and wouldn't stop dispite my many times of trying to get him to or just ignoring him....and I told him I was in the witness protection program so he might not want to be seen with me! Worked like a charm - seldom saw him after that! I don't have a problem with common nicesities, but stuff like that - none of anyones business what I do for a living and that shouldn't be part of an intro! Ask me how the weather is or something like that, but personal stuff... this world is just getting far to personal these days!

i do ask the question depend on different situation. for someone i know or i want to know

Actually I never ask that..I personally could care less what a person does for a living for starters and secondly its really none of my damn biz ya know....

I don't usually not right away anyway..maybe after a bit but I really haven't thought of it....and I guess I don't really ask them that....in fact come to think of it I hardly ever have anyone ask me what I do for a living either....Hummmmm good point!

yes isn't that a pretty basic question? what a person does for a living and if they enjoy it says a lot about that person. like im a stay at home mother and wife. and i know that says a lot about who i am

Hi sarahruthbeth22, you are the only one who never asks that question. I also do not ask this question of new people I meet. I feel ashamed to ask them what they do for a living because it seems a bit nosy to ask this of them. I just wait for them to volunteer the information if they are proud of what they do or till a hint about their profession or what they do for a living comes up during the conversation.

I never ask people what they do for a living. I like to ask "so what are your interests?" If they want to tell me about their jobs, as part of their interests, they will, otherwise, they can just go on about what interests them. I am unemployed myself. "So what do you do?" I'm unemployed. OK whatever. This sounds better. "So, what are your interests?" "Well, I am very creative with my computer. I do a lot of writing, and even have a book published. In my spare time I like to read. Right now I'm reading Angela's Ashes, the memoirs of Frank McCourt, and his growing up years in the slums of Ireland." In both instances my responses are totally accurate.

I don't ask that at the outset but eventually it comes up and it can be informative and a good topic of conversation. I do not like to dwell on one topic for a long time because it gets boring eventually. Cheers!!