Comments on: What Don’t You Do?

By: sasha

sasha — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:28:16 +0000

when people ask me what i do, i often say “as a career or just in my life?” cause not everyone means what we do for a job/career. some people want to know more. and it’s narrow minded of us to assume they mean as a job/career. you don’t have to answer what you do for a job/career. you can answer what you do. in life.
what i do:
-sew
-yoga
-read
-hang out with kids
-zumba
-knit
-meditate
-read blogs
-hang with friends……

this also tells others a lot about us.

By: elle

elle — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:21:34 +0000

I think people view it as a bad question because they see it as narrow, defining, not encompassing who you are as a person. But in America we are unique in the extent to which we can choose our careers and our career paths; and those choices do define us. So it’s not so irrelevant, because when you say, “I’m a writer” you mean, “I’ve chosen to be a writer because I like using those skills, living that lifestyle, I value that freedom”, whatever. Not the same as, “My father’s father went to Ecole Polytech, so I was expected to, so I’m an engineer.” What you do means something. It gives people insight into what you value, which is as good a way to start a conversation as any. Better than most.

By: Christina

Christina — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:26:48 +0000

Like this question and can’t wait to try it out. Maybe someone will invite me to a party.

I don’t get as much done as people think I do.
I don’t try new foods.
I don’t forward chain emails.
I don’t garden.
I don’t swoon over puppies.
I don’t fly by the seat of my pants.

By: Niki

Niki — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:54:46 +0000

I too hate the “what do you do?” question — it forces someone to define who they are using far too few words. Unfortunately, I often hear myself asking it. Now I have a better question. Thanks Aidan.

So on to the “assignment.” What I don’t do:

- I don’t take compliments well
- I don’t appreciate myself enough
- I don’t share my feelings with those close to me
- I don’t clean (much)
- I don’t get pedicures (although I do them myself)
- I don’t do things spontaneously
- I don’t have much will power with food or wine

By: nic @mybottlesup

nic @mybottlesup — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:08:36 +0000

i don’t clean our toilets.

i don’t cook from scratch.

i don’t have a period anymore (thank you mirena).

i don’t use capital letters when i type.

i don’t mind changing poopy diapers.

i don’t spend enough time taking care of me.

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:04:06 +0000

I think you have the perfect answer to that question: “I’m a writer; my first book is coming out in the spring” !
But I do agree that it’s an awful question. People only ask to continue the small talk going, they rarely are actually that interested, and it creates an awkward moment for so many people who don’t know how to answer.
Even minus the awkward, I hate that kind of party talk anyway. There are so many more important — and interesting — things about us than our jobs.

Some things I don’t do: watch fox news, run except for survival, choose frozen yogurt over ice cream, eat the last cookie in the box.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:04:47 +0000

I don’t..

1. Give up.
2. Ever take a moment for granted with my children.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:31:56 +0000

I hear you on this one. I personally hate that question, as if we can define people only by their profession. I once overheard someone being asked that question at a party, and they responded, “What do I do WHEN?” I thought that was great. It’s a hard question for me to answer these days, and it goes something like yours: “Well, I am writing now. But I am a counselor. Not practicing though. But I keep plenty busy through volunteer work. And I cook a lot. And I like it.” But I get the plaster nod/smile a lot when I say that.

By: T

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:35:32 +0000

Wow. I LOVE this idea.

I too have struggled with this since leaving a powerful IT position, staying home with the kids and now back to work as… well… that’s what’s tough. In my new position, I do EVERYTHING. The question should be, “what don’t I do?”

I don’t sit down.

I don’t stop thinking.

I don’t miss out on the opportunities to hug my children.

I don’t hate my ex-husband.

I love it. The list could go on and on.

By: Random Esquire

Random Esquire — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:26:27 +0000

1) I don’t get in trouble.

and

2) I don’t take orders.

I’ve been asked before (perhaps after being late for an event with a date or doing something incorrectly), “Did you get into trouble?”

My response is always the same, “No. I don’t get in trouble. I’m an adult.” I apologize for mistakes and move on.

I detest when people tell me to do something casually. “Come here.” “Read this.” “Watch this.” “If you go there, do this.” Etc. I love kind suggestions. But if phrased in the form of an order? It will get my back up.

Oh, and I also do not talk to myself.

-R.