Nubblies.net Forums - Wtf Did You Google To End Up Here? - View Single Post

Ugly Bastard · 01-13-2009, 02:16 AM

I hate when people ask me this question. Well, not always I suppose. When I can tell the intent of their tone makes the question more synonymous with, "what have you been up to lately?" or "what are some things that have been occupying your time?" it strikes me as a standard nicety that is all good and well.

However, sometimes when people ask "what do you do?" I sense that whatever I answer will serve as a summary in that person's mind of who I am as a person. Like I'm always worried if I say "poker player" that they'll somehow subconsciously equate my existence on this Earth with someone who plays a game of cards and nothing more. I trust some of you can see how frustratingly small-minded that is and those of you who can't are probably the same dickwads asking me this question.

I remember my Grandma said to me recently that she, "always thought I should have been a writer." It's like...;s adfpoifadbpoias. A.) I'm 24, what's to say I couldn't "become a writer", but to address the frustration more appropriately B.) it seems to convey some subconscious belief of the speaker that I am only one thing, a "poker player", and nothing more. This coming from my own Grandmother, no less! It's like Jesus, people... did it ever occur to you that there's more to the guy who puts envelops in a box outside your door every day than "mailman".

Sorry, this got kind of rantish. I just don't like the free pass to be a small-minded twerp that some people seem to think accompanies a job title.

More to the point of why I started this thread: I need you guys' help.

When people ask me "what do you do?" in a manner where I can tell they're about to summarize my existence on this planet to a mere rudimentary task based on my answer, I want to respond with something to "snap them out of it", so to speak.

A couple somewhat cliche but plausible answers I've come up with would be to respond "porn star" or "drug mule". I want to be careful not to come across as a dick, so obviously it will be important to know the audience. Maybe I could say, along with a laugh, something like, "I take people's money!"

I dunno... if anyone else is feeling the vibe I'm trying to convey in this post, lemme know if you have any suggestions for me.

01-13-2009, 02:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ugly Bastard Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 13,643 Internets: 247330	"What Do You Do?" I hate when people ask me this question. Well, not always I suppose. When I can tell the intent of their tone makes the question more synonymous with, "what have you been up to lately?" or "what are some things that have been occupying your time?" it strikes me as a standard nicety that is all good and well. However, sometimes when people ask "what do you do?" I sense that whatever I answer will serve as a summary in that person's mind of who I am as a person. Like I'm always worried if I say "poker player" that they'll somehow subconsciously equate my existence on this Earth with someone who plays a game of cards and nothing more. I trust some of you can see how frustratingly small-minded that is and those of you who can't are probably the same dickwads asking me this question. I remember my Grandma said to me recently that she, "always thought I should have been a writer." It's like...;s adfpoifadbpoias. A.) I'm 24, what's to say I couldn't "become a writer", but to address the frustration more appropriately B.) it seems to convey some subconscious belief of the speaker that I am only one thing, a "poker player", and nothing more. This coming from my own Grandmother, no less! It's like Jesus, people... did it ever occur to you that there's more to the guy who puts envelops in a box outside your door every day than "mailman". Sorry, this got kind of rantish. I just don't like the free pass to be a small-minded twerp that some people seem to think accompanies a job title. More to the point of why I started this thread: I need you guys' help. When people ask me "what do you do?" in a manner where I can tell they're about to summarize my existence on this planet to a mere rudimentary task based on my answer, I want to respond with something to "snap them out of it", so to speak. A couple somewhat cliche but plausible answers I've come up with would be to respond "porn star" or "drug mule". I want to be careful not to come across as a dick, so obviously it will be important to know the audience. Maybe I could say, along with a laugh, something like, "I take people's money!" I dunno... if anyone else is feeling the vibe I'm trying to convey in this post, lemme know if you have any suggestions for me.