When you have certain occupations, you learn to field specific questions about them. Some responses, although well-meaning, are not very imaginative and, quite frankly, rude or boring.
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Often, these replies tend to come from older people. Nothing is worse than a baby boomer trying to relate to your job or profession, but even worse is when they attempt to give you job advice that clearly expired 30 years ago.
It is almost as bad as the "Oh, what are you going to do with that?" question you receive in response to telling someone your major. So read on and discover the most commonly asked questions for each profession.
A programmer posted theirs and then asked Reddit for the equivalent for their profession.
u/HilbertCube:
"Oh, you're a programmer? I have a problem with my printer..." What's the equivalent of this in your job?
Yeah, sure, free get-rich-quick advice
waffleswithsprouts:
"Oh, you work in finance? What stock/fund should I buy? You must be making a boatload on your personal investments with all the insider information you have access to!"
This is just degrading and disrespectful
Theartofdodging:
"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?
Chair force
cjt11203:
"You're in the Air Force? So you fly planes?"Nah, I fly a desk.
I mean, with the state of healthcare in the US, no wonder people try to get free info...
chumpidcul:
"Oh, you're a paramedic? I have this thing on my toe; will you check it?"
An accountant, not a calculator
garbagepencil:
"Oh, you’re an accountant? Can you add and/or multiply these huge numbers in your head lightning fast?"No. You have no idea what I do....
Theoretically...
Absolute_Predator:
"Oh, you're a chemical analyst? You must know how to make drugs."
Stop asking creatives for free work
DJRonin:
"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, and then get upset when you ask for payment."
Can you... explain this number? Idk.
keithwaits:
"So you're a statistician? ....."I never get to help friends and family with my professional skills. :(
"Sure. If you pay me xx"
imontiza:
"You're invited to my... party/event/wedding/celebration... please could you bring your camera?"
Price quotes but will never follow through
New_Game_P1us:
"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 price quotes for various projects.)
Not the same thing as an electrician, but okay
McDougal_Scarborough:
"Oh, you're an electrical engineer? Can you wire my garage?"
Sir, please
brow3477:
"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...
WTF
Conscious_Tea:
"Oh, you’re a therapist?
tells me about their family member who really needs to see a therapist"
Exposure! Doesn't! Pay! My! Bills!
KalosKaghatoss:
"Oh, you're an artist? Can you draw me? I'll pay you with exposure."
This rocks!
CarbineFox:
"Oh, you're a geologist? What kind of rock is this?" Just kidding, we love that stuff and will tell you a long story about the history of that rock and how we saw examples in the field in the middle of nowhere.
What is your occupation, and what is the annoying thing people always say? Share it in the comments!
Rand_alThor_:
"Oh, you’re an astronomer? Why is my outlook as a Pisces so negative this month? I heard all the planets are going to be lined up; what does that mean for my horoscope?"
