Topic: If you had to tell people what you "do".

[Quemaqua]

I'm just curious about this, as I was thinking about it the other day.  People are so often defined by their jobs.  "What do you do?" - "Oh, I'm a loan consultant."  You know?  But really, I think oftentimes that defines us as people far less than the things that really matter to us.  I work for the Department of Child Support, and that doesn't define me on any level.  I hate it and have hated it every second that I've done it.  If I was really to give an answer to that question with something *meaningful*, I'd say that I write, because I think of all the things I do, that's the thing that defines me best as a person... in terms of goals, loves, interests, and endeavors.

If you were to answer that question in some sort of more honest way, other than just tossing out a profession, what would it be?  Or are your career goals (or even lack thereof) or educational goals something that defines you well?

[Antares]

I've always hated answering this question, especially since I used to hate my job.  It is always one of the first questions someone asks when getting to know you, and I never used to like saying I was a claims adjuster.  Eventually I started just answering the question and moving on immediately with the conversation.

Nowadays I've been telling people I'm a personal banker with Citibank, it seems to go over pretty well, it sounds like a decent job, but isn't interesting enough to warrant any followup questions.

[Cobra951]

I never liked the question either.  I am not my job (or lack thereof).  People feel the need to pidgeon-hole you, and I guess it can't be avoided.  I always say I'm a software guy, in one way or another.  It's what I identify with the most.

Que, if writing is your passion, and you're actually doing it, I see nothing wrong with saying you're a writer.  Your job is only the way you pay the bills, not what you really invest yourself into.

[Quemaqua]

I think I'd feel less guilty about it if I was, you know, published.  But one poem does not exactly translate into an exciting literary career.  I'm working on it.

[idolminds]

I'm a gamer. Makes me sound like a loser, but truer than anything else. Its not just playing them, its studying them, understanding what makes them work, and even a little wishful thinking designing.

[beo]

i'm a techy. i don't actually know what the official name of my position is, but i think techy describes me in more than just a job role anyway. i'm the kind of person who used to buy pc hardware not to play games, but to see how high he could get his 3dmark score. other than that, well i was unemployed for the last year and i did a lot of drugs, so drop-out, i guess.

[Ghandi]

It depends who is asking. Usually I just try to make a joke or something, as I find the question generally mind-numbingly boring.

[Raisa]

well.. like you guys, i hate the question but i answer it if i have to. 

Sometimes, I say "I'm not at liberty to divulge such information."

If it's someone with an attitude of "let's see who has the better title", I always sweetly say, "Oh, I just hang out and have fun!".  It totally ruins them.

If it's just a question to break the ice or be polite, I have random answers from business manager, all-around assistant, cook, traveler, researcher etc etc.

[Xessive]

My response is usally: "I love, I live, I laugh, I chill out, play games, relax. Oh you mean for a living? I'm a graphic designer, public relations consultant, and event manager."

[poomcgoo]

I sell drugs

[scottws]

i'm a techy. i don't actually know what the official name of my position is, but i think techy describes me in more than just a job role anyway. i'm the kind of person who used to buy pc hardware not to play games, but to see how high he could get his 3dmark score. other than that, well i was unemployed for the last year and i did a lot of drugs, so drop-out, i guess.

Haha.

I'm sort of the same as well.  I have an IT-related job, but it is  pretty low on the totem pole in terms of an IT career.  I'm a techy too.  I loved my project of setting up not only a Linux VMware virtual server, but file and web servers on top of that.  I'm always looking for some sort of tech project to occupy my time.

[ScaryTooth]

I tell people I'm a carpenter, and a student. If they don't like it, fuck them. I don't care.

[NatchDan]

Musician. Yup.

[Xessive]

I tell people I'm a carpenter, and a student. If they don't like it, fuck them. I don't care.

I love that attitude! hehe

I know that's how I feel, but too often I resort to a more diplomatic way of expressing myself. I'm involuntarily polite. It's a terrible affliction.