"So what do you do?"

[r.magnay]

I could be wrong....I was once before... I don't believe that people are looking for a status thing when they ask those things. I know that I always ask people both what they do and where they come from. It is because I am genuinely interested and it usually opens an avenue for conversation. I generally find that the only time there is a status or superiority thing arising, it is because the other person believes that I am not worthy of their time, not the other way around! ...maybe they are right.

[warooa]

Just a thought, Marty would make a great receptionist for you Stephen, Just the man for the job! have you thought of that being a possibility!
Ron

And I look great in a receptionists outfit

[Heather]

Ross you have pretty well said what I was going to say. I do ask people what they do and where they come from and it's not that I'm interrogating them or being a busy body or wanting to be better or worse than anyone. I doubt anyone would ask for that reason but I can see that some people would either think they or the other person was superior because of their job. If you are talking to someone you don't know it is an easy way of opening a conversation. It's an ice breaker and it may lead to further conversation or it may end there. Maybe it is a woman vs. man thing. I was talking to a lady I work with tonight at work about this topic and she also said she asks questions - it's possibly because women aren't afraid to ask and to get to know you - quicker and without the beer in hand.

On the other hand, I can see what Stephen and Matt are saying. There absolutely would be people who would judge you on what sort of work you do or where you live or what you look like or because you have tatoos or dress a certain way.
I find myself wanting to explain why I do waitressing work . ..... and that waitressing is what I do "because". I shouldn't have to do that and it is because people think that it is a lowly sort of job - even though I can tell you it is damn hard work and there is a lot of people skills involved. I have skills and abilities way beyond my work - I'm a kind of hidden treasure really..... Waiting to be found! I am much, much more than a waitress.

To me, it's neither here nor there what people do because I take all people for how I find them and for the things they do that show who they are.

[Bob Pacey]

I have skills and abilities way beyond my work - I'm a kind of hidden trasure really..... Waiting to be found! I am much, much more than a waitress.



Been telling you that for years Heather although I do wonder what you Trash ?

Bob

[Heather]

Marty, what is a receptionist's outfit? (Used to be one once so am wondering if I got the outfit right!)

[Bob Pacey]

And you are asking Marty for advice on dress sense ????

[Glenny Palmer]

.........if you want to have some real fun, just reply 'Why do you ask?' (It's quite funny to watch folk swallow their tongues.)

[Robyn]

Instead of asking what people do, I sometimes prefer to ask something like "What do you chose to do with your spare time?"
Although I have to say there are plenty who seem to do nothing with their spare time, but it does flush out the closet scribblers, artists, muso etc which is what I really wanted to know.
Stephen, perhaps you could say you are a poet, but fund your habit by medicine...
And great poem Marty!

[Mal McLean]

All I ever wanted to do was write.

Anything.

But there were parents who wanted a son to have a career, or at least, a real job. Writing could wait.

Then there was marriage, a family, responsibilities, mouths to be fed. Writing could wait.

Then there was mortgages, expectations, successes and failures. Writing could wait.

I promised myself I would write a book by the time I was fifty. Writing became a memory.

Then there were illnesses. Anxiety. Depression. What was it i wanted to do?

By my sixtieth birthday I had finally come to an understanding of life.

In the words of the late Ricky Nelson: But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself.

So now I write.

When young kids get in my cab I always tell them to follow their dreams. I tell them what I have written here. I tell them not to waste their hopes and talents. I tell them opportunities for dreams to come true are few and regrets are many as the years roll by. I try to light in them the spark of hope.

I am pleased to say that my niece Caitlin Page has upped stakes and gone to the UK to immerse herself in theatre.

So, what do I do?

I write.

[David Campbell]

That pretty much says it all, Mal. It's a pity that writing so often gets put on the back-burner but, sadly, for most of us it simply doesn't pay the bills. However it's interesting to see the reactions when you say "I'm a writer." A bit like saying "I'm a Martian."

Cheers
David