Current Events > Why is it so common to use 'what do you do for work?' as an ice breaker?

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It seems like one of the first questions people ask each other when getting to know someone is "what do you do for work?". I find this custom a little bizarre because most people I know don't define themselves through their job, it's just something they do to pay the bills because they have to. I learn much more about a person and what makes them tick by asking about their hobbies and interests.

It's generally a large part of an adult's life. If they have a full time job then that's pretty much half or most of their life.

because you spend 8 hours a day, mon-fri doing it

People with careers try to cater their work towards a subject that they enjoy so it's one way to understand a person's interests, at least for a certain segment of the population.

Financial stability can be a major indicator early in a potential relationship. Whether they have a stable full time job vs a part time job (and what the type of job is, big difference between a a steady seasonal job or say someone who occasionally does something nonsensical) or fully unemployed (and what the reasons for being unemployed are) can greatly alter someones desire whether they want to even attempt to move forward or not.

ArchonKnight posted...

It's generally a large part of an adult's life. If they have a full time job then that's pretty much half or most of their life.

sure. but it's also something most of us do out of to necessity, not desire. and i'd wager that most of us are not in careers focused on 'what we love'.

theAteam posted...

People with careers try to cater their work towards a subject that they enjoy so it's one way to understand a person's interests, at least for a certain segment of the population.

shrug. i'm a programmer, but outside of work i dont care about it whatsoever. it's just a means for me to make a living. the moment i am able to retire is the moment i never write a line of code again.

archizzy posted...

Financial stability can be a major indicator early in a potential relationship.

i notice this happens even outside of seeking relationships / partner, and just making new friends.

Ok well you asked.

Among the "working rich" (high earners who nevertheless have to work to sustain their lifestyle), the question often has an interesting answer, and can lead to connections that further conversation.

I have heard that it is considered a rude (prying) question in some places, but where I live it is an extremely common early question and not considered rude. The appropriate response is to downplay your position until commonality is reached. For example, you might say, "ugh, I'm yet another lawyer", but never "I'm a managing partner at BigLaw".

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