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It depends on how early the topic comes up in conversation. Some people say it immediately. I find that rude, so I usually say "burglar." Other times I'll be honest, which sounds boring and they're not impressed. I never ask the question back, or ask it at all, which usually irks the impolite person, because they know that I don't care what they do.
I'm with you on that. I think that's the point of this topic.
If a long term friendship develops it will be hard to completely steer clear of the subject. Your new friend is going to know.
By that time it doesn't matter. The other person is not going to judge a friend. If they do then they never had good intentions to begin with and it will probably dissolve.
I think the question, "What do you do for a living?" is just asked out of interest. Afterall, we spend one third of our life doing what we do for a living. Many people are curious, because they are bored with their own job (which includes many professionals). I would never take offense at the question. Now, if someone inquired about my salary, that would be offensive to me.
Why do people get so fussy about this question? It's the most obvious conversation starter there is. It is not a method to one-up someone, unless you have a personality disorder.
I spend 50 hours a week at my job at a minimum. I'd think it strange if someone didn't ask about it.
I'm with you on that. I think that's the point of this topic.
If a long term friendship develops it will be hard to completely steer clear of the subject. Your new friend is going to know.
By that time it doesn't matter. The other person is not going to judge a friend. If they do then they never had good intentions to begin with and it will probably dissolve.
A new friend is fine (having talked to them a few times), but I seriously have a problem with someone asking and I just met 5 minutes ago. It just seems so intrusive. Guess I'll be in the minority though..
Quote:
Originally Posted by irootoo
If it is a turn off to you when people ask, IMO that would tend to indicate that you are not happy with what you are doing, so it is not other people's judgment about what you do that rankles, it is your own self judgment that is bothering you.
OP You sound to me like you are a bit defensive about this question. This leads me to think that either you don't currently have a job or that you hate or are not proud of what you do. This is a personal issue of yours that you need to ind a way to come to terms with.
Asking people what they do for a living is pretty normal and a part of most conversations when people first get to know each other. What a person does can often give you a lot of information about who they are. Plus sometimes you meet somone who does something really interesting that you would love to lear more about.
OP You sound to me like you are a bit defensive about this question. This leads me to think that either you don't currently have a job or that you hate or are not proud of what you do. This is a personal issue of yours that you need to ind a way to come to terms with.
Asking people what they do for a living is pretty normal and a part of most conversations when people first get to know each other. What a person does can often give you a lot of information about who they are. Plus sometimes you meet somone who does something really interesting that you would love to lear more about.
Exactly! It's for looking for common ground. Do you work in the same or similar fields, know the same people, etc. People are trying to make a connection and work is something that isn't too personal to inquire about.
Even worse than this question is, "What does your husband do for a living?"
The last thing I want to talk about in social situation is work. Socializing is down time.
If someone starts asking questions that sound like they are trying to size me up I know that it will be a brief conversation for me. A real killer is, "What kind of a car do you drive?"
If the room is full of people asking those types of questions I know I'll politely make the rounds and say my goodbyes along with a mental note to be busy next time I'm invited. Not my kind of people.
I really hate that question too b/c what I do is not who I am. Ask about hobbies, interests, etc instead. I've begun answering in a joking manner "as little as possible" to this inane question. I think people ask it b/c it seems like a safe thing to ask and b/c everyone else seems to ask it.
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