Why do you want to know my occupation?
Discussion
I've always found it baffling that the 2nd or 3rd question someone will ask you is "what do you do for a living?". I think its strange because it's not a personal question and your job does not define you as a person, or at least it shouldn't.
I was recently summoned to court as a witness and I was asked to give my occupation at the very beginning despite it being of zero relevance, I was very tempted to lie out of contempt e.g. unemployed, police officer etc.
Even PH has an occupation field in our profiles!
I was recently summoned to court as a witness and I was asked to give my occupation at the very beginning despite it being of zero relevance, I was very tempted to lie out of contempt e.g. unemployed, police officer etc.
Even PH has an occupation field in our profiles!
I was taught it was very rude to ask someone what they did, the implication being that they must do 'something'. This can cause embarrassment in certain circles.
In wider society I think it is a perfectly normal question to ask, an icebreaker I suppose, and helps to make an initial assessment of their social standing, education level, lifestyle etc.
I guess this is important to some people, not to others.
In wider society I think it is a perfectly normal question to ask, an icebreaker I suppose, and helps to make an initial assessment of their social standing, education level, lifestyle etc.
I guess this is important to some people, not to others.
Because, as boring a question as it is, it's something that many people have in common that's not particularly personal. You're just trying to find out about someone new and it's safe if dull.
I guess you could go super-precise and just hope you hit "what do you think about the British motorcycle industry's change to unit construction in the 1960's?" Or fairly broad but personal "do you find you orgasm with your eyes open or closed?"
I guess you could go super-precise and just hope you hit "what do you think about the British motorcycle industry's change to unit construction in the 1960's?" Or fairly broad but personal "do you find you orgasm with your eyes open or closed?"
It's a quick and effective way of giving an indication of social status, trustworthiness and educational background.
What do you do for a living? I'm an airline pilot .
What do you do for a living? I'm an estate agent.
Ones a trustworthy professional who you would trust with your life.
The other is an estate agent.
What do you do for a living? I'm an airline pilot .
What do you do for a living? I'm an estate agent.
Ones a trustworthy professional who you would trust with your life.
The other is an estate agent.
king annoying.PositronicRay said:
It's ages (years and years) since anyones asked me socially. Sometimes it comes up naturally sometimes not. I reckon 20yrs ago the question was more common, so maybe the people I mix with now are older and more secure.
People used to have real jobs back then though. None of this made up BS that people spout these days. Travel vlogger, environmentalist, adult education, brand ambassador, charity executive.... forum lurker....It's an avenue of possible conversation isn't it? I suppose one could have a condescending attitude about any question.
I find I get pretty good milage in conversation out of what I do, and some of it is bordering on a hobby anyway - like professional fireworks displays for example. Likewise the passion that some people have for their work when I talk to them about it is quite infectious.
I find I get pretty good milage in conversation out of what I do, and some of it is bordering on a hobby anyway - like professional fireworks displays for example. Likewise the passion that some people have for their work when I talk to them about it is quite infectious.
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