Asking questions is a very normal way for people to communicate. We learn new information, gain knowledge, and even get to know each other better when we ask relevant questions. Get-to-know questions are probably the most popular ones, because as humans, we tend to be rather curious about others around us. These questions may vary from personal tastes to some family and background questions and even questions about your job and career.
And while things that are profession-related might seem like good questions to ask if you want to strike up a conversation with a new acquaintance, this is not entirely true. Having little to no information about a certain profession is nothing criminal, but sometimes this leads to stereotypes and really ignorant questions or comments.
Whatever career path you have chosen in your life, you have most certainly at one point heard really weird things from people that made you wonder how they ever thought those were appropriate questions to ask. At other times, instead of asking a question, someone might ask for a professional favor that, in reality, has nothing to do with your occupation.
If you want to avoid stupid questions to ask people regarding their jobs, don’t operate on assumptions or repeat things from an unverified source. The best questions are probably the ones where you ask the other person to give you some additional information about what they do before you proceed with more specific inquiries.
Has anyone ever asked you stupid questions about your profession? How do you deal with such questions and weird requests for services? Share your experience in the comments.
#42
"Oh you are an accountant, can you do my taxes?"
"No Mary, I can't. I work for a corporate company, not frigging H&R block. I mean I probably could but I don't wanna."
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12points
#43
"Oh, you work as a social media analyst? Can you check why I don't get many likes or comments on my photos?"
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11points
#45
"You're a massage therapist? Oh my God, that's amazing, you must be so relaxed." Being a massage therapist doesn't equate to getting massages, but ok.
"And also: 'You're a massage therapist? My neck has been killing me...' as they turn their head and lean their neck toward me."
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11points
#47
"Oh, you're an epidemiologist? All this COVID stuff is a bit over the top, right?"
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11points
#48
"Oh, you're a teacher? Let me tell you what is wrong with the whole school system and how I think you should do it."
"Please shut up. A lot of us know. We know the old system is outdated. And we are changing it, it just takes time and patience to change big systems like that. The transition to something newer/better will be with steps at a time. Not a big huge overhaul at once, that will only cause more chaos."
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11points
#49
"I'm a dog trainer. Everyone immediately tells me about what their dog is doing wrong and asks for tips."
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11points
#50
“Oh you’re an airplane mechanic? What part do you work on? “
Every part.
"'Do you get discounts on flights?'
Free, on my airline, if there’s a seat open.
'Can I get a buddy pass?'
Do I know you?"
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11points
#52
"Oh, you're a truck driver? Can you come to tell me what's wrong with my car?"
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10points
#54
"Oh, you work with dogs? My dog has this spot/cough/keeps itching/always barking/constant eye boogers/drools a lot/etc..."
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10points
#57
"Oh, you're a writer? Can you help with this very important legal letter?"
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9points
#58
"Oh, you write fantasy? Come up with something interesting!"
Had this amazing social interaction 2 days ago.
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9points
#59
"Oh, you're a musician, play that one that goes, 'bun dum dum bun dum donn bom.'"
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9points
#60
"Oh, you work in finance? What stock/fund should I buy or you must be making a boatload on your personal investments with all the insider information you have access to?"
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9points
