I certainly agree that the above statements about retirement would be just fine, albeit slight lies. My father retired at about 56 years old. For real. Lucky lucky him, huh?

I am not in my 50s yet. There have been times when I was honest but didn't elaborate, times when I slightly lied, and times when I went with something that was not a lie at all, but rather a strategic rewording...then felt perfectly free to talk their ears off. One can also always say "It's the weekend. The last thing I want to think about is a job! Can we talk about our love of biking?"

Actually, I hate to say it, but very often (even in 2020) when I'm with my husband at a party with strangers, he is asked what HE does, and I'm not even asked. I've found this to even be the case where some women ask him and don't ask me, as another woman. Sad, especially since my old career job was higher level than my husband's current one, and this is far from the case with couples in this day and age.

As an example of strategic rewording of a true response:

Answer: Instead of saying "I used to be a Manager in Marketing & Sales departments", it is easy enough to say "My career has mostly been in management in Sales and Marketing."

Response: Usually they drop it at that, or ask "What company?" or "Where do you work?"

Answer: "I've worked at Joe Blow's Puppets Incorporated"

Response: "Oh, I've heard of that company. How many puppets per year do they sell?"

Answer: [I can talk their ears off until they no longer want to hear about puppets and marketing strategies relating to the puppet industry ever again. Or, the subject thankfully gets changed soon after. Then I start talking about my love for French cuisine and my recent trip to Costa Rica, etc. Or, they start bragging or enthusiastically talking about something, and/or I ask them questions. Or, one of us goes to get another drink. Or if you're riding bikes, speed past them for a bit. They'll hopefully forget about the conversation, unless they, too, really like puppets or French cuisine.]

I am lucky that I do have a heck of lot I can talk about that stems from my old job, and other experiences. I did a fair amount of domestic travel as part of it. I also traveled to Taiwan, as well, and worked with the China P.R.C. market. I lived in Taiwan in the past, and traveled extensively in a couple other Asian countries and throughout Europe. It has been a bit difficult with some people at neighbors' parties. Where I live, there are some hot shots in the pharmaceutical industries who make big money and are not shy about bragging. I don't like bragging, but I manage to hold my own in various conversations. Also, sometimes such "big shots" only really know their jobs, and little else.

I adore my psychiatrist, but he's an older gentleman and I know he routinely asks new patients "What did/does you father do?" Again, he less often asks about the mother. I think such questions are dying down with the younger generations. I actually told him that once. Honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea if younger folks simply answered "I work my butt off to pay off my college loans!" or "I'm working to fight off the hard knocks of life."

I just read Christina's response. Yes, a comedic approach can sometimes be a good one.