What do you do for a living?

[Gepard]

Sometimes visual effects artist -- in the modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering area -- and currently the full-time nighttime render wrangler for Zoic Studios. It's not as much fun as being an artist, but it's steadier work than freelance artistry and comes with more opportunities for overtime for somebody at my skill level.

 

[BigFoot]

I'm the lead developer of an HR application.

 

[StolenThunder]

I'm a junior doctor in a hospital.

 

[Gaith]

I've always thought this was one of the laziest questions in RL and my answer was: lie. No-one should be judged by what they 'do', which I always assumed was reason for question. What do you do? What does it matter? What do you believe in, what do you think about this or that, that's different.

Lazy, yeah, but also very informative; in just a word or two, you'll learn a lot about a person's education level, rough earning power, and maybe a good deal about their personality also - never mind what they spend most of their time on, and who with. Exchanging gigs in polite conversation is just one of those social niceties one has to grin and bear, because one simply can't get to know a person without that info.

Anyhow, substitute teacher/Future Sailor.

 

[Myasishchev]

You call this a living? Oy.

Anyway, my future plans involve undertaking a position as a professional faker of my own death.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Anyhow, substitute teacher/Future Sailor.

Does that mean you are joining the navy? Or planning to live on a sailboat following the winds?

 

[iguana_tonante]

Astronomer and science communicator.

My field of work is observational cosmology, with an emphasis on statistical analysis of galaxy distribution. I'm also involved in science popularization, giving talks about various research topics to students and the general public.

 

[Admiral Shran]

Currently working in retail and hating it.

I was an adjunct college professor of English and American History before the economy went south. Been looking for another teaching job, but haven't found any as of yet.

 

[ancientone51]

High school teacher of 24 years.

Volunteer cast member (first time) of a major Renaissance Festival (open next weekend)

Member of my city's Veteran's Memorial planing committee.

it keeps me busy )

 

[Deckerd]

When I do get asked it IRL, I have to quickly judge whether the person I'm talking to is going to plague me with questions and/or their life story, if I tell them the truth. If I think they're likely to, that's where having a portfolio career these days comes in handy; I just tell them about one of my other businesses, rather than leading with the doctor/shrink stuff. It's not a lie; it's a partial truth.

You will always have the possibility of someone trying to show you their interesting skin condition in the pub.

 

[JoeZhang]

You will always have the possibility of someone trying to show you their interesting skin condition in the pub.

I get that if I'm not quick enough to explain that I'm a PhD rather than an MD.

 

[backstept]

I work full time as a drafter for a small electronics manufacturer. We make industrial timing controls, and other things for various industries from a lighting control board for warehouses, controllers for peristaltic pumps, to controllers for pellet stoves

I also work part time at Walmart in the illustrious electronics department.

 

[An Officer]

I dislike this question as well, it is usually asked by that most annoying of folk, the middle-classes, who are too concerned with social status. It is usually followed by where do you live? And what did your parents do? With that, they can have you pegged within minutes. Very limited thinking in my opinion. How I make my living is no reflection on how worthwhile a human being I am. A brick layer or a public toiler cleaner are just as necessary in society as a doctor or lawyer. As long as you are a useful contributing individual, I do not care in which manner you do it.

I can usually tell which type of person an individual is by whether they drop these types of questions in the first five minutes. What's wrong with that old reliable, the weather? Or any number of polite non intrusive questions? Small minds occupy themselves with small matters. I'd much rather hang out with a laid back working class person or the upper class. Far less competitive. I cannot believe people have been raised to think these are polite questions, their origin is nothing to do with politeness. Although there are of course those who use them innocently enough.

 

[JoeZhang]

I dislike this question as well, it is usually asked by that most annoying of folk, the middle-classes, who are too concerned with social status. It is usually followed by where do you live? And what did your parents do? With that, they can have you pegged within minutes.

You can do that without those questions. Dress, pose, body language, cadence of speech reveal almost as much if not more about an individual. Just because they don't ask doesn't mean they aren't pigeon-holing you.

 

[Squiggy]

I'm a sound guy.

 

[Deckerd]

I'm a sound guy.

Yes you are

 

[iguana_tonante]

Sound but definitively not safe.

 

[An Officer]

You can do that without those questions. Dress, pose, body language, cadence of speech reveal almost as much if not more about an individual. Just because they don't ask doesn't mean they aren't pigeon-holing you.

Those would be the intelligent, polite folk. I have no problems with being read that way, it's almost impossible not to do, I do it myself without realising, I'm sure. It's a necessary tool, no doubt. Asking straight out however, is annoying, crude, and awkward - totally unnecessary.

Those indicators you mentioned themselves are not totally reliable, you can be fooled every now and again, that individual would have to be subtle and intelligent, or just very adaptable. Which seem to be rare things these days.

 

[JoeZhang]

Those indicators you mentioned themselves are not totally reliable, you can be fooled every now and again, that individual would have to be subtle and intelligent, or just very adaptable.

What makes it slightly harder until someone speaks is how scruffy people are now - a great mass of trainers, t-shirts, jeans.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

I'm a banker and I have your money...