"What do you do?" (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

I personally think that this common conversational question is annoying and should be avoided. At best, it demonstrates a lack of conversational skill and at worst is intrusive. There are so many interesting things to talk about - yet people often jump to this question when talking to someone new. In fact, some people even seem to have a compulsion to ask it.

I'm certainly not suggesting that it has no place. Sometimes it may come up if someone volunteers an story arising from their work and it may then be perfectly natural to inquire. But as an ice-breaker, I think it's weak.

I think that most of us prefer not to talk about work in our social time. Plus, it can be uncomfortable if someone is unemployed or self-conscious about their job. This could even lead to unnecessary judgments about people that have no place in social conversation IMO.

I just think it's bad form and says to the other person "I got nothing else interesting to say to you except to ask you about one of the things in your life that you'd probably choose not to do if you had a choice."

 

[TenTwo]

Upon opening the thread my initial feeling was "no big deal". However, you make a pretty good argument against it and honestly, I don't think I would ever use that question as a conversation starter...of course, I don't really care a whole lot about starting conversations with someone unless I have business with them.

 

[Mojomajik9]

Is this your way of saying you hate telling people you're a lawyer?

 

[brandon8283]

I love my job. I don't mind talking about it at all.

 

[bayoubadboy]

People have tons of questions and complaints about my field of work. So even though I think I have the coolest job ever and don't mind talking about it and there are many misconceptions that need to be cleared up, there are often times I'd rather just forget about work.

 

[CRESS_137]

It seems really important to Americans. To me, any like to identify themselves and others based on their career. I don't mind talking about it, I like my job. But I feel many outside of the US find it a rude subject to bring up if you don't know the person well.

 

[parlorcitysaint]

"Just about anything I set my mind to, actually".

 

[BobE]

 

[gwballin]

People have tons of questions and complaints about my field of work. So even though I think I have the coolest job ever and don't mind talking about it and there are many misconceptions that need to be cleared up, there are often times I'd rather just forget about work.

Now I have to ask, what do you do?

I guess everyone knows how I feel about the topic now

 

[soupcan dan]

so what should we do about this "what do you do" ?

 

[Galbreath34]

Yeah, once you bring up that you're a pimp there are all kinds of follow up questions. It's just a can of worms I'd rather avoid. Then again...

NSFW language: Pimpin' Ain't Easy

 

[Big_L]

Yeah, once you bring up that you're a pimp there are all kinds of follow up questions. It's just a can of worms I'd rather avoid. Then again...

NSFW language:Pimpin' Ain't Easy

But somebody's gotta do it...

 

[zatsnzapps]

Why do what do you do do as it do?

 

[Sun Wukong]

The correct response to this question is "Why the hell do you care?"

 

[The Unrest Cure]

I think it is a fine question to lead things off with, particularly if you are faced with such conversational starters like these instead:

"So, those Republicans sure are nazis, aren't they?"
"All Christians are bigots."
"Hockey? What the hell is that?"
"Soccer is for people who suck at sports."
"Is this an orgy?"
"Global warming is a tool of the socialists to take my guns away."
"That Batman Dark Knight movie is AWESOME. Anybody who didn't like it is a #$%."
"Dude, I had 3 tacoes last night. At the same time. And by tacoes, I didn't mean tacos, dude!"
"Dude, Bud Light is AWESOME!"
"I'm a oenophile. Are you?"
"The worst #^#!@#$%^&* in the world are Falcons' fans, right?"
"You know the worst online thread I ever read?"

Anyways, I think we can all realize that many conversations and discussion points can veer closely to calamity. Thus we have to eliminate sports, politics, gender, science, religion, and sex from discussion. After that we only have job and leisure. And your leisure interests don't interest me at all. In fact, neither does your employ. Why am I even talking here???? Pass the Bud Light and tacos, please.