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Dear Ian -

That is great that that answer works for you!

I think several of the posters here are feeling that there are some areas of their life they want to share, and others they do not want to share. A "when" answer opens up the possibility that they could be asked about an area they don't wish to share.

So by answering with the things they do that they enjoy sharing, they take control of the direction of the conversation, and guide it in a direction they enjoy smile.


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I think the "What do you do" question is really unwritten code for "how do you make a living?"

I've tried things like "go camping and hiking" and people don't accept that. They want to actually know what I do to make monies. I've had people dog me for real answers. And that really isn't anyone's business, or something I enjoy talking about.

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My response to that is to talk about wealth magick and the interconnectedness of all things in the style of "Dr, Kananga" in the James Bond film 'Live and Let Die". It's great fun watching the questioners' eyes glaze over! smile



Ian - Pagan Editor

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Well whenever I get asked this question, I immediately answer that I'm in sales for AT&T which is true however it's funny how this is immediately an "accepted" answer for people yet it is not something that brings me joy. I can't stand the 9-5 hustle and bustle that comes with my "job".

I am just getting to a point in my life where I'm doing the things necessary to break from that and work with something that I"m passionate about.

So for now my answer is that I work for AT&T, I go to school (working on a Legal Studies degree) and I'm raising 4 kids.

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Most people I run into are quite happy to have the "what you like to do with your time" response to the question. I think especially with the rough economy, that forcing someone into a situation where they have to say "I was laid off and nobody will hire me" is quite poor manners. So far I haven't run into someone who is like that. But I can certainly also imagine that some people ARE like that. Even more than that, maybe in certain circles those people then attract other like-minded people.

So it absolutely could be that the groups I hang out with don't ask questions like this - and that in other groups it is all they talk about.

For example if I went to my yoga class and we asked each other what we do, we would talk about gardening and birding and such. It would be a question about the person as a human being and their interests.

But maybe, just to stereotype for a minute, if I went to a banking convention, they would all be talking about their job and promotion path and so on.

So then that's a great question. What if you get cornered by someone who is income-earning-path obsessed? What if that is what they want to know and they are tenacious-like-bulldog?

For me, I would see this as an entertaining personal challenge, because my way of viewing the world is so different than theirs. I would take it on as a fun mission to see if I could tweak their view of the world, even slightly. So I would become even more creative in ways to show them that their ranking system was inapplicable to me, and that they'd have to put me into an "other" category.

My hope would be that if they ran into this a few times they might start to realize that the "other" category was one that people *could* belong to.

Just like Ian said - if they started to press me about money, I'd go off on a tangent about how a life without a focus on money is blissful and serene smile.


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I feel happy to make others happy. I help peoples who have any issues with clutter and help to free yourself from what is keeping you from living the best life possible. I love to do this,and i feel very happier when anyone asked me what do you do.

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Hi Ian,

Re: What Do You Do ?

I think that "When"? is a great answer. After all, as you say, people have so many facets to their life (work, social, business, etc).

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In fact, I'm uncomfortabe with my response. But I'm young, I will give a comfortable response in the future.

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Hello Everyone,

OH MY! I have only just found this thread and what an interesting read it has been. I have a lot to say of course because "What do I do" is I Talk a lot - and love it. But to start, I thought I would just say just two things.

There is a quote attributed to Abe Lincoln which is

"Whatever you do - be a good one."

I have made this my personal motto for the year 2013.

And second, Jill said in one of her posts way back somewhere

"Okay, start your engines Ladies!"

I love that saying, took it to heart immediately (THANKS Jilly)and whenever I am feeling blue I think of it and say to myself "Hey Lestie, start your engine NOW!"

"The Universe favours action" is another favourite personal exhortation.

I am thrilled to be in such company and say thanks to you all.
Best


Lestie Mulholland - Container Gardening Editor

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Omily #801755 01/20/13 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted By: Omily
Re: What Do You Do ?

In fact, I'm uncomfortabe with my response. But I'm young, I will give a comfortable response in the future.

Hi Omily, feeling comfortable with your response generally correlates with maturity. However, if you know what the other person is really asking, it's much easier to answer in the way I mention in the article above. (JOY)

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