Comments on: “So, What Do You Do?”

By: Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:16:59 +0000

You’re right that “what are your hobbies?” is a little dorky. I think the best question to ask someone new is “where are you from?” as in their hometown. This question always steers me into interesting waters and I end up finding out all kinds of cool things about them. I think it was all so much easier when I was a teenager because the only question you ever had to ask was, “What bands do you listen to?” Then you had all you needed to know.

Thanks for the comments!

By: Kaza

Kaza — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:03:37 +0000

I think this is such an important topic. I’ve been a SAHM, and am now a “working mom” and am guilty of asking a version of this question, which is “are you at home with her/him/them right now?” I do think it’s just a cultural proxy for finding out more about someone new, because “so what are your hobbies?” just sounds too dorky. So what should we say instead? How can we start to get to know each other without resorting to this inadequate default?

By: Jenn

Jenn — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:47:54 +0000

I’m not a mom, but I’ve always thought the question, “what do you do,” to be weird, too. I mean, for a lot of people I guess corporate America provides for their identity, but I’m more defined by what I do after work. And for you, it’s more life than work!

A very good question and a good post!