"So, What Do You Do?"

It's always the same. You encounter new people and the first question they will ask is "so, what do you do?". Rarely, this is asked out of genuine interest in you and your life, but more often than not it is used as a method to ascertain your social status, how much you earn and your potential worth to them as a contact. If you cannot come up with a socially acceptable answer you will notice then how they glide across the room to talk to people who clearly have something more going for them. And probably to ask the same question again.

The reason this question annoys me is that, for most people, your job somehow defines you as a person, and this could not be further from the truth. I "do" a lot of things; I write. I run frequently. I enjoy mentally challenging games such as chess. I like to cook. I like to travel. I like to read. I'm an avid film fan and I have a keen interest in current affairs and history. Trouble is, these things, which are far closer to defining who I am, matter little to people keen on pigeonholing you in some predefined category based on their existing prejudices.

It's quite funny in a bemusing sort of way, to watch people try and dissect people's lives into something they can judge. And whenever I meet someone that defies society's 'expectations' of what they "should be", my admiration automatically increases for them. We live in a culture which feels so compelled to judge and categorise people based on their occupation, which leads to the question as to why people feel the need to so narrowly define others.

Personally, I don't really give a shit what others do. I know that people are more than an accountant, computer programmer or whatever other title they might hold. People are lots of things; mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, hobbyists, runners, enthusiasts, volunteers, the list is endless. Yet, the fact that these things don't generate money means that consequently you cannot use them to determine someone's social class or "potential worth" as a networking tool. And it is this which is the crux of my problem with this question. Indeed, it is a sad state of affairs when the thing we use most often to identify someone, and as a consequence choose whether to associate ourselves with them or not, is their occupation and therefore earning potential. There is far more to people than where they work and what they earn.

Now, ask yourself this; what do you actually want to be doing with your life? What's most important to you? Most people might choose to spend time with their family, travel to that destination you've always dreamed of going or to pursue that hobby of yours further. If it is your job then fine, but be honest. Yes, the allure of high wages, prestige and and titles are strong, but are they really the most important thing in your life? Does it mean the most to you, or even define you as a person?

By no means am I advocating doing "nothing", but then what is "nothing"? Just consider this. "Nothing" can be incredibly rewarding; you have the freedom to choose the work you do and, to a great degree, when and where you do it. You're more available to do things that need to be done and are more emotionally available to those closest to you. In short, you get to actually have a life. So, regardless of what I'm doing at any particular moment, or whatever stage my career might be at any given time, I will always give the same answer: "I am an arse model". They can either take it or leave it, because I do not have time for such shortsighted and condescending people.