People Are Calling Out How Folks React When They Explain Their Jobs
By Aimee LutkinUpdated Oct. 11 2018, 4:06 p.m. ET
Have you ever told someone what you do for a living and discovered they have a lot of crazy ideas about your work flow? A lot of jobs seem straightforward, but if you haven't done them, you probably shouldn't assume you know what they're like.
This long Twitter chain shows that most of the world is determined to be oblivious, and drag us all with them. It's kind of a nesting doll of rude things to say to someone after they open up to you. First people share what they do for a job, then they get the most common response. Like comedian Josh Gondelman, who indicates that when he tells people he's professionally funny, they try to make him laugh. With racism!
“What do you do?”
“I’m a comedian.”
“[torrent of racist jokes]”https://t.co/K5iQMc0JPg
On the scale of annoying things, that's pretty bad. But lots of people's had stories about ways people annoy them, or hit them up for free labor.
"What do you do?"
"I'm a lawyer"
Option #1 : "[Tells lawyer joke]"
Option #2 : "Wow, that's interesting. I was just wondering....[request for free advice]"
— Tim Byrne (@TByrne75) June 5, 2018It helps if you don't have a job anyone understands.
"What do you do?"
"I'm a Solutions Architect"
<Conversation Ends>
Unless them not understanding is the problem.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a food writer”
“Cool you’re a restaurant critic!”
“No, I’m a food writer.”
“I can’t believe I met a restaurant critic!”
“No, I’m a food writer.”
“You should review my college friend’s restaurant in Indiana! She puts cranberries in the salad!” https://t.co/QRmfp4h8i4
What is the difference between a restaurant critic and a food writer??
Lots of people have work advice for the industry they don't understand.
“What do you do?"
"I'm in book publishing."
"Oh great, have you ever thought about giving people the ebook for free when they buy the physical book? You should do that. Also books are too expensive so I only shop on amazon." https://t.co/W5p272XDNT
Or think it's like what they've seen in films.
"What do you do?"
"I'm a crime reporter."
"Oh great, I'm going to talk nonstop for the next two hours about noir movies you should watch in order to be a better reporters and assume you haven't seen any of them" https://t.co/CImqOqYGmA
Or mistake their opinions for your opinions.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a film critic.”
“Oh, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is the best movie of all time” https://t.co/GcopYwknlk
Even about things you literally have a degree in.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a theologian.”
“Oh. LET ME TELL YOU WHY RELIGION IS A LIE AND DUMB” https://t.co/74PzayTqZv
Some people actually do want your opinions, which is refreshing, but can you really give them the answers they seek?
"What do you do?"
"I'm an academic. Religious Studies."
"Oh. So which religion is the best?" https://t.co/zRkzMI4g1Y
— Joel Bordeaux 🌹 (@JoelBordeaux) June 4, 2018Especially if they're confusing you for someone else.
“What do you do?”
“I’m a sociologist.”
“Analyze me! Analyze me!” https://t.co/Lr0B81XkeQ
— Rick Moore (@prairiedogking) June 4, 2018This particular story about having a PhD in pornography is actually a bit outside of most people's experience, actually.
“What do you do?“
“I’m a psychology professor“
“Oh, so you can like, read minds and stuff“
“No, not really, I am mostly a researcher.“
“Oh, so what do you research?“
“Pornograph…. You know what, yes, yes I do read minds. Let’s talk about that.“ https://t.co/3XwY8MVZGo
— 𝙹𝚘𝚜𝚑 𝙶𝚛𝚞𝚋𝚋𝚜 (@JoshuaGrubbsPhD) June 3, 2018But the chain started with this chemist, who tries to make their job more relatable by comparing themselves to the most famous chemist on TV:
"What do you do?"
"Chemistry"
"Really? What kind of chemistry?"
"Organic synthesis"
"Oh, what's that?"
"It's making new molecules that are mostly made of carbon"
"Uhhh, what?"
"Drugs - I make drugs. I live in a RV. I am Walter White"
— Chemjobber (@Chemjobber) June 1, 2018Honestly, if you have a character n TV who you can compare yourself to, it's a mixed blessing.
Everyone will (again) assume you live a much more glamorous life than you do, which is frustrating, but it also makes things a bit easier to explain.
"What do you do?"
"I'm a mycologist"
"Cool, what kind of mushrooms?"
"Candida albicans, it causes thrush and yeast infections"
"..."
— Virginia Glazier (@Prof_Glazier) June 2, 2018You do what?
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