So what do you do?
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
United States
May 22, 2009 8:52am CST
Am I the only one who Never asks this question of new people I meet? I really don't care unless your job is your whole life or your passion. But most of the time it is just something you do.If I want to really get to know you ,I'll ask wht your favorite movie is. Do you always ask what a person does for a living?
3 people like this
8 responses
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
22 May 09
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!
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 May 09
When I ask how are you, I Really want to know how are you.when someone asks me what I do for a living, my gut reaction is to say None of your G-ddamned business. But sometimes I would love to say I am a hired killer or something else jut as shocking just to see expression on their face.
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
23 May 09
Amen! that's falls into my motto, " Be Nice until it is time not to be nice." got it from the movie Road House.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
23 May 09
Nice to know I am not the only one that sometimes goes for the "shock effect" when being annoyed! I am a nice person, but sometimes.. I just can't help it. I know people when people are only being nice cause they have to and I am sorry, but I don't want you to be nice if you have to be. Talk about phoney!!! I'd rather not talk at all! And if someone is just being nice cause they have to be...shock effect shouldn't be viewed as any differnet! But sometimes...if people rub me the wrong way... I just can't help it... the only way to get them to leave me alone is the shock effect! I will put up with alot, but when I reach my fill...all bets are off!
2 people like this
@Jenny8520 (78)
• China
22 May 09
i do ask the question depend on different situation.
for someone i know or i want to know
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 May 09
I have friends that I have had for years and I don't know what they do.
1 person likes this
@Jenny8520 (78)
• China
22 May 09
i like to share my job experience with my friends, espically we do the same or similar job,
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
22 May 09
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....
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 May 09
If they are proud of what they do, they will tell me, If not I know not to bring it up.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 May 09
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!
2 people like this
@angelodamroot (73)
• United States
22 May 09
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
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
22 May 09
It doesn't seem basic to me, it seems like prying to me. If yu are really doing what you like to do, then you will tell me without me asking.it will come up in the conversation and if it doesn't then I know not to bring it up.You must really love what you are doing because you told me without me asking.
1 person likes this
@angelodamroot (73)
• United States
22 May 09
i suppose that is a terrific point because i do love what i do and when i introduce myself i say (him I'm angel and i am a stay at home mother of one wonderful 4 year old boy and a devoted wife) so i guess your right maybe asking is just nosy
2 people like this
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
22 May 09
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.
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
24 May 09
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.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
24 May 09
Angela's Ashes ? wasn't that made into a film? It sounds familiar.Where interests I only ask about favorite films. all the others they have to tell me.
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
22 May 09
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!!
2 people like this