Does it annoy you when people ask "what do you do?"

[BADecker]

Does it annoy you when people ask "what do you do?"

Does the topic assume most of us do not have "regular"/mainstream type jobs?

When you meet enough people in your life, you get used to it. Some people are nosy and you learn to brush them off with witty replies. I don't get annoyed because I take pride in what I do, even if it earns next to nothing. I believe it's more to do with self-esteem than the question itself. Most of the time, the question is just an ice-breaker.

My feelings are the same, you get used to it.

In the DC area, you definitely get used to it, since it's as common a greeting as "hello." It's easy to segue into more interesting topics.

Still, I'm glad I left the area. Lots of boring people.

Tell 'em you're a sun-gazer.   

[ObscureBean]

Could it be that you're actually annoyed with yourself and not with the people asking the question? The moment you realize you're 'trapped' (or whenever you're facing any other problems for that matter) is also the moment the solution becomes clear to you. However people usually convince themselves that there is no solution or that they cannot do anything about it simply because the solution would negatively(?) impact other 'dependencies' that they would rather leave intact. This feeling of knowing what you should do and yet not wanting to do it can tear you up inside and is frustrating. It's easier to direct this frustration/anger at others rather than oneself. The barrage of reason preventing you from resolving your problem seems unsurmountable only because you accept it to be so. Maybe you should review your priorities.

[BitCoinNutJob]

When you meet enough people in your life, you get used to it. Some people are nosy and you learn to brush them off with witty replies. I don't get annoyed because I take pride in what I do, even if it earns next to nothing. I believe it's more to do with self-esteem than the question itself. Most of the time, the question is just an ice-breaker.

Maybe it seems like an ice-breaker to you because you are proud of what you do?  I cannot say im proud of what i do really (like most), i've just tried to make money however i can for all my adult life.  The question shows my potential and limitations but doesnt say much more about who i am.  Most of my moral and ethical energy gets put into other areas of life.  I do still make money legally and consdier what i do "morally" ok whatever that means.

[BitCoinNutJob]

Could it be that you're actually annoyed with yourself and not with the people asking the question? The moment you realize you're 'trapped' (or whenever you're facing any other problems for that matter) is also the moment the solution becomes clear to you. However people usually convince themselves that there is no solution or that they cannot do anything about it simply because the solution would negatively(?) impact other 'dependencies' that they would rather leave intact. This feeling of knowing what you should do and yet not wanting to do it can tear you up inside and is frustrating. It's easier to direct this frustration/anger at others rather than oneself. The barrage of reason preventing you from resolving your problem seems unsurmountable only because you accept it to be so. Maybe you should review your priorities.

Yes i am partly annoyed with myself for not achieving a "better" occupation but how many occupations are acceptable or impressive to society anyway?  Its very unrealistic to be annoyed with yourself for this most of the time.  Even if you have an "impressive" occupation, thats not always acceptable to other people anyway - private business man etc.

I dont think there is much a solution for this, society is in a state of enlightenment/transition as regards these types of things.  We cannot just force the change with something so huge.  Some things just aren't worth fighting.  If i asked this same question to baby boomers most of them would respond differently or be confused why its even an issue.  

I do agree i have a confusion about priorites.  But having seen a few others annoyed here with the same question that feels good to know.  Probably best i start working out some decent replies to the question in various different contexts since its something that comes up occasionally.

[Totscha]

Can't say I was annoyed when someone asked me what I do in a long time. But I have seen people who were annoyed when I asked them that question. They usually had a reason for that. They were either in a job they hated or between jobs longer than they liked. I didn't know it was a touchy subject with them ATM. I didn't like it when people asked me what I was studying when I just dropped out of college.

So you basically have to change your perspective (that's what I did) if this is the sort of thing you don't like being asked. People will do it. Out of pure politeness actually. They just met you and are showing interest in you, to make you feel they care about who and what you are.

That's why we ask: "What's your name?", "Where are you from?", "What do you do?", "What are your hobbies?", "Read any good books lately?", etc...

That's my perspective anyway.

[saddampbuh]

no i dont mind because i have cool things to tell them

[BitCoinNutJob]

That's why we ask: "What's your name?", "Where are you from?", "What do you do?", "What are your hobbies?", "Read any good books lately?", etc...

That's my perspective anyway.

Out of those questions, i'd rank the what are your hobbies question or the read any good books as the best thing to get asked or ask someone - assuming that list is the only choices.  Hobbies are very likely something you truly choose.. Although you can easily change your name i guess.

[manselr]

Sometimes.
"What're you doing on the computer all day, how're you making money?"

Just answering as: "I'm private investor"

But how do you make money tho?

[cheekychap]

Not really. The only time it would annoy me when I am embarrased of what I do , maybe due to the circumstances. But I would never be annoyed by someone just asking me.

[izanagi narukami]

Does it annoy you when people ask "what do you do?" as a way to find out about you?

I find this really annoying in most contexts. 99% of the time what someone does is because they dont have a better option to acquire money to purchase resources to survive no? People might aswell ask "so how are you trapped?".  

Only the very rich must truely "enjoy" this question? or maybe those who are proud of their work, like doctors etc

I'm not a rich guy and I'm not getting annoyed if someone asked me such thing.
As long as I'm work at legit way, why should I get annoyed ?

[ajareselde]

Does it annoy you when people ask "what do you do?" as a way to find out about you?

I find this really annoying in most contexts. 99% of the time what someone does is because they dont have a better option to acquire money to purchase resources to survive no? People might aswell ask "so how are you trapped?".  

Only the very rich must truely "enjoy" this question? or maybe those who are proud of their work, like doctors etc

2 contexts i find it acceptable someone asks me what i do:

1.) A bank or estate agent, basically something to do with business. They are asking to protect their business/investment.

2.) Someone close to you, or someone you getting on with very well asks because of reasons like... they wanna do something in the future with you and wonder if you have free time.

Depends on whos asking. To any female friends i avoid giving a honest answer, saying i work privately for a small firm, but to my buddies i tell everything, but they still dont know what it realy is.
There are alot of people that will judge you on what you are doing in life, and im trying to avoid that as much as i can.

cheers

[BRE]

Does it annoy you when people ask "what do you do?" as a way to find out about you?

I find this really annoying in most contexts. 99% of the time what someone does is because they dont have a better option to acquire money to purchase resources to survive no? People might aswell ask "so how are you trapped?".  

Only the very rich must truely "enjoy" this question? or maybe those who are proud of their work, like doctors etc

2 contexts i find it acceptable someone asks me what i do:

1.) A bank or estate agent, basically something to do with business. They are asking to protect their business/investment.

2.) Someone close to you, or someone you getting on with very well asks because of reasons like... they wanna do something in the future with you and wonder if you have free time.

Depends on whos asking. To any female friends i avoid giving a honest answer, saying i work privately for a small firm, but to my buddies i tell everything, but they still dont know what it realy is.
There are alot of people that will judge you on what you are doing in life, and im trying to avoid that as much as i can.

cheers

True , some people asking that only to judge how Big / Rich / Famous we are and they will use it for their purpose.
Answer them with common answer is the best, it will be hard for them to dig more information about us.

[BitcoinAddicts]

ha ha, right
i hate when people ask me "what you are doing nowdays" 

[manis]

Once I start talking about my job, they regret asking me this question.