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.
#61
"Oh, you work for the library? I just read this book, but I don't remember the title. [Poceeds to expose the entire plot.] Do you know what it is?"
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9points
#63
"You're astrophysicists? Cool, I'm a Leo and also have an interest in astrology and horoscopes."
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9points
#64
"Oh, you work with museums? I am a young artist with zero experience, how do I make an exhibit?
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9points
#65
"Oh, you're a biologist? What's the name of this bug?"
"No, I don't know every single animal species. There are literally millions of them."
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9points
#67
"Oh, you're a scientist? Why are you guys hiding the cure to cancer/Covid?!"
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9points
#69
"Athletic trainer? What gym do you work at/can you write me a workout plan?"
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9points
#71
"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?"
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8points
#73
"Oh, you make quilts? Can you make me a shirt, hem my jeans, sew on a patch..."
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8points
#75
"Oh, you're in the military. Thank you for your service."
"I get paid extremely well to send e-mails and return phone calls all day."
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8points
#77
"Oh, you work at an aquarium? This thing is wrong with my animal..."
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7points
#79
"Oh, you work for a law firm? My son’s ex-girlfriend wants full custody of their kid. What should he do?"
"I’m a mass tort paralegal. He needs to get a lawyer."
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6points
