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Few things are more annoying than being asked a seemingly innocent question: “Oh, you're a programmer? I have a problem with my printer…” You may wonder what’s wrong with it. Well, how about “Oh, you’re an accountant? I have some tax questions I want to ask you!”
You see, it would be totally fine if it wasn’t so absurdly irritating. Talking about our professions is one thing, but assuming you know something the other person needs and thus, you have to help, even though it has little to do with your job, is another.
So when someone asked to share the annoying stuff people ask when you tell them your profession, it blew up on r/AskReddit, amassing 79.5k upvotes and 23.9k comments. Let’s see what people had to say and don’t forget to tell us what questions about your profession annoy you in the comment section below!
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#1
"Oh you're a geologist? What kind of rock is this?" Just kidding, we love that s**t and will tell you a long story of the history of that rock and how we saw examples in the field in the middle of nowhere.
RELATED:
#2
"Oh you work in Social Media? How do I blow up my Instagram/Youtube?"
Conversation usually then goes somewhat like this:
"You need to provide good content that matches your target audience."
"Yeah....but I don't want to put any real work into that."
"Then buy 500k fake subs from India or China."
"But they are not real people."
"Well you are not providing any real content."
#3
"Oh, you're a pharmacist? Well I have this huge, gaping wound on my left butt cheek, can you look at it and tell me what I can use over the counter?"
Sir... Please go to the hospital...
Valentina Vitale 4 years ago
Seriously - you’re actually going to come to the counter and show me (and everyone) the rash under your breasts??!
Confused conversational partners are real and they occur more often than we’d like. Think of the last time you told someone “I work for myself as a freelance writer” and received “Oh, so you, like, write books?” Most of us devote so much time and effort to our careers, it’s kind of irritating to get all those sorts of questions from people who have no clue what you’re doing (and often, they suppose they do!)
So, how to speak about your profession to people so you can share your enthusiasm and not receive any more annoying questions? To find out how to talk about your profession like a pro, Bored Panda reached out to Kat Boogard, a Wisconsin-based freelance writer who specializes in writing on careers and self-development. Kat told us that the real hangup is that we use our careers to define ourselves. That’s the reason why so many of us become irritated by the “what do you do?” question.
#4
"Oh you're a Graphic Designer? Can you make a logo for me really quick? It's for my cousin's birthday. I don't have any money to pay but I'll have multiple revisions that will cut into your actual paying work time, but then get upset when you ask for payment"
#5
"You're invited to my.. party/event/wedding/celebration.. please could you bring your camera"
Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago
I'm a photographer. Was in the wedding party. The mother of the bride was irate that I didn't bring my camera (I was never asked to), because "who's going to take photos of the reception / bridal waltz / cutting of the cake?". She was so angry, that it was impossible to remain friends with the couple. I now pre-empt all invitations, with the fact that I do NOT work, when a guest.
#6
"You're in the Air Force? So you fly planes?"
Nah I fly a desk.
“That can cause real problems for a lot of people. Maybe they're laid off or between jobs. Maybe they're starting their own business. Or maybe they work in a career that's not super 'obvious' to a lot of people. That means the 'what do you do?' question can inspire a lot of dread and even self-doubt.”
Kat said that the best way to describe your profession is just doing it head-on, “with the knowledge that a lot of careers are going to require more explanation than others.”
Moreover, “what do you do?” is often a default conversation starter, but Kat assured us that there are plenty of other ways to get the discussion rolling, like asking someone what hobbies they enjoy.
#7
"Oh you're an artist ? Can you draw me, I'll pay you with exposure"
MyrkurDragon 4 years ago
"Sorry, can't make art for free" "well screw you your art is bad anyway!!"
#8
"Oh, you're a teacher? Please explain to me how my child's teacher had the audacity to give them a C despite it being very obvious that my child is a genius!"
Bonus points if they want you to explain the grading criteria in a completely different subject and level of schooling than you teach. Like, I teach high school and community college English and Social Studies - why do you expect me to know the grading criteria for middle school math?
#9
"Oh your a musician, play that one that goes, bun dum dum bun dum donn bom"
Kat also suggested a way to deal with people who think they know everything about your profession. “As a freelance writer, I get a lot of puzzled looks when I tell people what I do for a living. Then they quickly move into the assumptions—like that I write books or I don't do much of anything all day.”
She usually uses an example that people can relate to her career in their daily lives. “So, when people are struggling to understand what I do, I'll say something like this: 'You know how when you're preparing for a job interview and you Google common interview questions? The articles that show up in the search results are the type of stuff that I write.'"
#10
"Oh you're employed by our company as a robotic process automation engineer, does that means we're all going to be replaced by robots?"
I've come up with the perfect response to this now. "No, just you"
#11
“Oh you work for a law firm? My son’s ex-girlfriend wants full custody of their kid. What should he do?”
A. I’m a mass tort paralegal, I don’t do family law B. He needs to get a lawyer.
#12
Oh you are an accountant, can you do my taxes?
No Mary i can't. I work for a corporate company not frigging H&R block. I mean I probably could but I don't wanna.
#13
"Oh, you are a Mathematician? What is 35122*748383?"
Use a goddamn calculator.
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Simple: it's ab where a=35122, b=748383. Only use for numbers outside of teaching is to order pages and footnotes/references.
#14
"You work in a restaurent? How about treating me to dinner sometime?" - A lot of people assume that they can get free drinks and food just because I happen to serve food or tend the bar at the place. That is not how it works...Also "We are friends so I don't need to tip you!" - Well, that is how you got unfriended really quickly.
Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago
I'd be questioning the type of "lot of people" who keep asking you to steal. I've been in hospitality since I was 14 (paid my way through highschool & uni), and never had anyone ask me to steal for them. :o
#15
I was going to have surgery and about 10 minutes before I was scheduled to go under the knife, the nurse asked me what I was studying. I told her I'm a computer science student and without skipping a beat she asked me to help her download WhatsApp on her Huawei!
Since I'm also studying genetics, I also often get requests like "does this rash look bad" or "can you clone my cat".
NO. LEAVE ME ALONE.
#16
Oh, you work in construction? (Proceeds to ask about fixing things around the house, asking if something was installed wrong because it doesn't "look right", or wanting a price quotes for various projects)
#17
"Oh, you're a programmer? I have a idea of a cool app!"
Momma Panda 4 years ago
I will not pay you to develop the app, it will look good in your portfolio, so consider that your pay.
#18
Oh you're a paramedic? I have this thing on my toe, Will you check it?
Neva Nevičica 4 years ago
I have a friend who is a doctor and one who is not, and whenever we were hanging out, every conversation would turn into the non-doctor asking the doctor about her poop, periods, her grandmas prescriptions and hospital procedures. It was so exausting for the doctor (and me:D) that we stopped hanging out.
#19
"Oh, you're a chemical analyst? You must know how to make drugs"
#20
Oh you’re an astronomer? Why is my outlook as Pisces so negative this month? I heard all the planets are going to be lined up what does that mean for my horoscope?
#21
So you're a dermatologist? Have a look at this mole I found conveniently between my butt cheeks during this lovely wedding ceremony.
Pearl Of the SeaWing RainWings 4 years ago
It's safe to say I will not become a dermatologist.
#22
"oh, you're a writer? Can you help with this very important legal letter?"
And a non-job bonus: "you're married to my programmer son, can you help me with my phone?" My husband gets the "you work in IT, my printer isn't working" questions from his mum. She thinks he does tech support. He programs systems for universities, government departments, etc.
Andrew Robertson 4 years ago
"My husband gets the "you work in IT, my printer isn't working" questions from his mum." Sounds like a totally reasonable thing for a mum to ask her son.
Wendillon 4 years ago
Yup, even if he didn't work in IT it seems like a pretty common question from a mum
Load More Replies...
Celtic Pirate Queen 4 years ago
My Mom asks my brother & I questions pertaining to her computer and printer all the time. Because she's 78, not as computer savvy and we don't talk down to her like some of the tech guys. (And yes, my brother does have a IT degree).
Felype Rennan 3 years ago (edited)
As a programmer I have a decent amount of experience in operating systems, software, network and so on, so I can a lot of the time help troubleshoot 3rd party programs not working properly, I can read logs and have a good idea as to why the program is not working. As for configuring hardware and drivers, I don't mess with that at all ever
Olivia Agave 4 years ago
I get the "Oh you're a writer? Make my social media posts/blog site articles for me. I won't pay you and nor can your name be on them because it has to look like me posting them."
#23
"Oh, you're a truck driver? Can you come tell me what's wrong with my car?"
Umm, ma'am, I just drive the damn things... You want the shop guys for that.
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
Just go for the actually used technical language: "I think that's gonna cost ya, looks like the f***ing f***er is f***ing f***ed."
#25
Sell me this pen
Andrea Serrano Morales 4 years ago
ight bet, this pen has a 39.9% of ink and it has a 67% accuracy when writing, it has an incredible feature when writing, the ball inside will stop movin and the ink will not run into the writing surface. For a VERY fair price of $59.99 YOU can get this once in a lifetime opportunity of a not very well working pen! ( how did i do )
#26
Oh, you’re a therapist? tells me about their family member who really needs to see a therapist
#27
Oh you're a nurse, can you have a look at my ingrowing toenail / tell me why I have a rash down below
#30
"Oh, you studied linguistics? What does this word mean?"
What do you think ?
troufaki13 4 years ago
I'm pretty sure everyone does that, even those who whine when others do it to them.
Black Goat of the Woods 4 years ago
Oh, you're an archaeologist? So you can plan my new house? -No sir, that's an architect. Ah, my bad. So you dig up dinosaurs then, isn't it? -No sir, that's a palaeontologist. I got it! Pyramids! -No sir, that's an egyptologist. So what do you do then? -I work as a programmer because archaeology doesn't pay bills. XD
Laura 4 years ago
Oh, you're a baker? The worst - make my wedding cake in 3 days, and instead of paying you, you'll get lots of exposer and more orders. Nope, not happening.
Olivier Dhuyvettere 3 years ago
i get this stupid question: oh you're a baker, do you make bread and pies when you're at home? my response: no i do it for at least 10h a day, why would i come home and start doing what i just did at work, do you do your job constently when you are home?
Load More Replies...
Roxy Eastland 4 years ago
When I worked as a nutritional therapist I used to get asked, at parties, wedding receptions, etc, 'are you going to tell what's wrong with what I am eating?' I soon found the perfect answer 'yes, if you pay me my standard consultation fee'. They'd agree they weren't going to do that and I'd reply 'then I am not at work'. While it allowed me to be a bit sarky because it did get a bit wearing, it also did reassure them I was there to relaxe and not the slightest bit interested in whether they chose the samosas or the sausage rolls.
Daria Z 4 years ago
You're a translator? Can you translate and notarize this certificate for me real quick? I could do it myself but I have no time. How much do you charge? [...] Wow, so expensive! How about a 50% discount but I pay in cash, eh? *wink-wink* 🙉
Robert Thompson 4 years ago
Never take a client that can "do it themselves" there will be no gratitude for your service.
Load More Replies...
Alex Helm 4 years ago
“Oh, you’re a nuclear engineer? So, you’re like Homer Simpson then?” Had this one so much when I worked in that field.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago
I do childcare. Nobody ever asks me to watch their kids. (Not because I'm not good-they all want the young college people, not someone with her own kids).
Ray Heap 4 years ago
Yeah... When some buddy finds out you are a techsupport guy... "Why is my computer so slow?" "please" "weedle" "whine" "but my computer" Then you let yourself be forced to "at least" take a ""quick" look and find a recently deleted browser history, a roll of kitchen towel and a sticky mouse.
Lord Mysticlaw 4 years ago
"You're a proofreader? Can you proofread this for me? Why do I have to pay you, it's easy and it's not like it costs you anything." I get paid a pretty decent salary for doing it every day, why would I do it for you for free?
Franc Esca 4 years ago
This, exactly. Even worse when you're young. Being young doesn't reduce the rent ma'am.
Load More Replies...
Tabitha L 4 years ago
I sell vintage dishes. Usually I don't mind evaluating things for my friends. But I get so many random people that try to get me to sell their great grandmother's old, beat up, virtually worthless dishes. Rare doesn't always mean valuable. Old doesn't guarantee value. And I'm not interested in doing all the work of selling your china for a "cut".
Pamela Blue 4 years ago
It appears to be strictly a North American thing to ask people "what they do" for a living. In many countries, it is considered rude and crass to ask people what they do, because it makes people think they are using you. As you can see from the previous 30 examples, that's exactly what Americans do - use people.
Patti Vance 4 years ago
early in my career as an officer for the district attorney i learned not to tell people that tidbit. although i focused on family law issues i would get asked questions or i would get attacked because of the laws that affected someone. eventually just said i was in law enforcement and left it at that. still had some question me but i came up with ways to escape.
Yettichild 4 years ago
"You're a zoologist? So you must work at a zoo then?" No, I don't work at a zoo. "Can you tell me what's wrong with my pet?" No, I'm not a veterinarian. Then if at work, "Well, there are a lot of animals that work here!" Groan.
Miguel justino C 4 years ago
I’m a professional Fly fishing guide and use the barter system for all sorts of things. Half the work on my house has been done for free because on my days off I teach guys and their families. Once got a free pistol for one day of teaching a guys wife. I don’t mind questions about it either.
Mimi777 4 years ago
That’s pretty cool! If it works out for everyone then no harm done!
Load More Replies...
Colin L 4 years ago
I'm a math professor, and I frequently get: how can I get a 3.0 in this class. I want to be a nurse.... (a) study, 10-15 hours a week on the recommeded material, (b) no I won't just raise your grade if you haven't earned it.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago
I don't even get why people ask. It never occured to me in college. I knew what I needed for a grade, knew if there was extra credit, and did what I could and got the grade I got.
Load More Replies...
luxfux 4 years ago
I'm physical therapist for small pets (like dogs, cats etc.) The amount of creepy (old) men telling me that I for sure know how do to a proper massage *winkwink* is disgusting.
Roxy Eastland 4 years ago
Eww. Nothing to do with a job, but when I wore one of my babies in a sling etc I used to get older men saying 'oooh, will you carry me in one of those' often enough for it to be a thing. It was said salaciously (not just implying they were feeling lazy).
Load More Replies...
Kimberly Kamphaus 3 years ago
"Oh you're a writer? I have a GREAT idea for a book!" Or "You're a writer? Can you look over my resume for me? It needs some tweaking."
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
Oh, you're a journalist? You should write about this conspiracy theory because the media always lies to us.
Joanne Hudson 4 years ago
In the beginning if I said I was a secretary someone would always think I wanted to be the secretary for their club. I quickly developed a very readable persona that said ":go f*** yourself."
Franc Esca 4 years ago
"I trained as a conference interpreter." "Oh so you're a translator?" Interpreter , not translator. Followed by the dreaded "what's the difference?" "I was an English teacher." Then they try to use your skills for free.
Julie Wolf 4 years ago
Wait, you're a forensic death investigator, like on CSI? Uh, no. CSI is TV. I work with doctors to find out why people die in traumatic and suspicious circumstances. Oh.....hey, can you ask the doctor to look at my rash? *facepalm
Cecilia 4 years ago
"oh, you're an ESL teacher? How do you spell this obscure word?". I'm not a friggin dictionary. Or worse, how can I cheat my way to a Canadian citizenship?
Iris Wolfie (づ ◕‿◕ )づ 4 years ago
"Oh, you write for fun? Edit my manuscript pleeeeeze oh and I won't pay you" -Never happened thankfully
troufaki13 4 years ago
I'm pretty sure everyone does that, even those who whine when others do it to them.
Black Goat of the Woods 4 years ago
Oh, you're an archaeologist? So you can plan my new house? -No sir, that's an architect. Ah, my bad. So you dig up dinosaurs then, isn't it? -No sir, that's a palaeontologist. I got it! Pyramids! -No sir, that's an egyptologist. So what do you do then? -I work as a programmer because archaeology doesn't pay bills. XD
Laura 4 years ago
Oh, you're a baker? The worst - make my wedding cake in 3 days, and instead of paying you, you'll get lots of exposer and more orders. Nope, not happening.
Olivier Dhuyvettere 3 years ago
i get this stupid question: oh you're a baker, do you make bread and pies when you're at home? my response: no i do it for at least 10h a day, why would i come home and start doing what i just did at work, do you do your job constently when you are home?
Load More Replies... Roxy Eastland 4 years ago
When I worked as a nutritional therapist I used to get asked, at parties, wedding receptions, etc, 'are you going to tell what's wrong with what I am eating?' I soon found the perfect answer 'yes, if you pay me my standard consultation fee'. They'd agree they weren't going to do that and I'd reply 'then I am not at work'. While it allowed me to be a bit sarky because it did get a bit wearing, it also did reassure them I was there to relaxe and not the slightest bit interested in whether they chose the samosas or the sausage rolls.
Daria Z 4 years ago
You're a translator? Can you translate and notarize this certificate for me real quick? I could do it myself but I have no time. How much do you charge? [...] Wow, so expensive! How about a 50% discount but I pay in cash, eh? *wink-wink* 🙉
Robert Thompson 4 years ago
Never take a client that can "do it themselves" there will be no gratitude for your service.
Load More Replies... Alex Helm 4 years ago
“Oh, you’re a nuclear engineer? So, you’re like Homer Simpson then?” Had this one so much when I worked in that field.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago
I do childcare. Nobody ever asks me to watch their kids. (Not because I'm not good-they all want the young college people, not someone with her own kids).
Ray Heap 4 years ago
Yeah... When some buddy finds out you are a techsupport guy... "Why is my computer so slow?" "please" "weedle" "whine" "but my computer" Then you let yourself be forced to "at least" take a ""quick" look and find a recently deleted browser history, a roll of kitchen towel and a sticky mouse.
Lord Mysticlaw 4 years ago
"You're a proofreader? Can you proofread this for me? Why do I have to pay you, it's easy and it's not like it costs you anything." I get paid a pretty decent salary for doing it every day, why would I do it for you for free?
Franc Esca 4 years ago
This, exactly. Even worse when you're young. Being young doesn't reduce the rent ma'am.
Load More Replies... Tabitha L 4 years ago
I sell vintage dishes. Usually I don't mind evaluating things for my friends. But I get so many random people that try to get me to sell their great grandmother's old, beat up, virtually worthless dishes. Rare doesn't always mean valuable. Old doesn't guarantee value. And I'm not interested in doing all the work of selling your china for a "cut".
Pamela Blue 4 years ago
It appears to be strictly a North American thing to ask people "what they do" for a living. In many countries, it is considered rude and crass to ask people what they do, because it makes people think they are using you. As you can see from the previous 30 examples, that's exactly what Americans do - use people.
Patti Vance 4 years ago
early in my career as an officer for the district attorney i learned not to tell people that tidbit. although i focused on family law issues i would get asked questions or i would get attacked because of the laws that affected someone. eventually just said i was in law enforcement and left it at that. still had some question me but i came up with ways to escape.
Yettichild 4 years ago
"You're a zoologist? So you must work at a zoo then?" No, I don't work at a zoo. "Can you tell me what's wrong with my pet?" No, I'm not a veterinarian. Then if at work, "Well, there are a lot of animals that work here!" Groan.
Miguel justino C 4 years ago
I’m a professional Fly fishing guide and use the barter system for all sorts of things. Half the work on my house has been done for free because on my days off I teach guys and their families. Once got a free pistol for one day of teaching a guys wife. I don’t mind questions about it either.
Mimi777 4 years ago
That’s pretty cool! If it works out for everyone then no harm done!
Load More Replies... Colin L 4 years ago
I'm a math professor, and I frequently get: how can I get a 3.0 in this class. I want to be a nurse.... (a) study, 10-15 hours a week on the recommeded material, (b) no I won't just raise your grade if you haven't earned it.
Colin Mochrie At Its Finest 4 years ago
I don't even get why people ask. It never occured to me in college. I knew what I needed for a grade, knew if there was extra credit, and did what I could and got the grade I got.
Load More Replies... luxfux 4 years ago
I'm physical therapist for small pets (like dogs, cats etc.) The amount of creepy (old) men telling me that I for sure know how do to a proper massage *winkwink* is disgusting.
Roxy Eastland 4 years ago
Eww. Nothing to do with a job, but when I wore one of my babies in a sling etc I used to get older men saying 'oooh, will you carry me in one of those' often enough for it to be a thing. It was said salaciously (not just implying they were feeling lazy).
Load More Replies... Kimberly Kamphaus 3 years ago
"Oh you're a writer? I have a GREAT idea for a book!" Or "You're a writer? Can you look over my resume for me? It needs some tweaking."
Monica Pryts 3 years ago
Oh, you're a journalist? You should write about this conspiracy theory because the media always lies to us.
Joanne Hudson 4 years ago
In the beginning if I said I was a secretary someone would always think I wanted to be the secretary for their club. I quickly developed a very readable persona that said ":go f*** yourself."
Franc Esca 4 years ago
"I trained as a conference interpreter." "Oh so you're a translator?" Interpreter , not translator. Followed by the dreaded "what's the difference?" "I was an English teacher." Then they try to use your skills for free.
Julie Wolf 4 years ago
Wait, you're a forensic death investigator, like on CSI? Uh, no. CSI is TV. I work with doctors to find out why people die in traumatic and suspicious circumstances. Oh.....hey, can you ask the doctor to look at my rash? *facepalm
Cecilia 4 years ago
"oh, you're an ESL teacher? How do you spell this obscure word?". I'm not a friggin dictionary. Or worse, how can I cheat my way to a Canadian citizenship?
Iris Wolfie (づ ◕‿◕ )づ 4 years ago
"Oh, you write for fun? Edit my manuscript pleeeeeze oh and I won't pay you" -Never happened thankfully
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