[Pookyl]

What do I say when almost-strangers ask “what are/do you do?” “What’ve you been up to?”
My hubby is senior at his work and historically I’ve attended a number of functions with him at this time of year.
Saying “managing my bipolar is my full time job” or “it took 25mg Seroquel and 10mg to get me here” would probably be a bad idea.

[BipolaRNurse]

I just tell people I'm a retired nurse and blogger. I don't want to explain that I'm on disability or why. It's nobody's business anyhow.

[Raindropvampire]

When I was between jobs I'd just say "Oh a little of this and a lot of that" then laugh and change the subject to something else. Usually I'd steer it back to them because most people love to talk about themselves lol.

[Lefty Seven]

"Psychotropic Test Pilot" is my go-to job title. It usually shuts people up. Those who want to know more are prospective friends.

[cincidak]

Originally Posted by Lefty Seven

"Psychotropic Test Pilot" is my go-to job title. It usually shuts people up. Those who want to know more are prospective friends.

Hey we have the same job!!!

[Wild Coyote]

I tend to just say "I stay at home," or "I am disabled."

I don't mind educating people about CFS/SEID (Systemic Exertional Intolerance Disorder), Psoriatic Arthritis, Fibromyalgia.

I do not talk about my mental health status, however.


WC

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you're struggling, Pookyl I think with these kind of questions it's best to keep it vague and to not share too many details. Just talk about your previous occupation, if you've had one, or mention that you're unemployed at the moment, and try to change the subject quickly. I don't think sharing more is necessary. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

Luckily, sometimes it's not even asked. But I know it can be.

Did you once have a career in the past? I've found ways to avoid mentioning it in the present tense, but make it seem as if it could be. For example, " My primary career background has been in sales and marketing management for a major language instruction company". From there I can easily go on and on about things I did in my last jobs. Or, I can quickly shift to other interests that are indeed present.

[Moose72]

I get this and "What are you doing today?" Ummm.... Laundry?

[Unrigged64072835]

I basically say I’m retired and leave it at that.

I either tell people I'm a student or come up with something like polar bear trainer.

[A Hobbit]

I’m fortunate that I can answer “radio”. People usually find that answer fascinating enough that I don’t have to tell them that it’s only 5 to 10 hours a week of my time; or that I often find that too taxing.

I then ask them what they do and proceed to act like it’s the most fantastic thing I’ve ever heard. That way we can get the subject back on them and I can feel like I dodged the bullet of shame.

I learned early on that it is a fact that people are most comfortable talking about themselves.

[downandlonely]

I'm not sure "what do you do" is really a good question to ask. I know it's common though.

[Blueberrybook]

Ugh, I hate those situations. I say a am a stay-at-home mom, but my daughter is 11, in school all day everyday except for summer vacation, winter break, spring break. It still feels like I should be doing something or have more to add, but it is not like I can say, “I saw the psychiatrist yesterday, and he thinks X med might help with my manic symptoms...”. Glad H doesn’t have tons of parties to go to.

[Blue_Bird]

I just say that I'm a student, since I am (part time). I hate the question though, it really makes me feel bad about myself because I know others can be very judgmental towards individuals on disability. especially someone my age, 24

[TheSeaCat]

Before the job I usually said I was on medical leave and a full time student. That worked pretty well. Now I just tell people where I work, some people are really intrigued by what I do.

If you are worried by what others think just make up something awesome. I grew up wanting to be a dolphin trainer; I think someone else mentioned a polar bear trainer.

[Guiness187055]

I tell them I am an anchor salesman and ask them if they want to buy one.

[Row Jimmy]

Tell them you're retired. Or say you're a Professional *** Kicker.

I usually say I'm a vet.

haha- I know it's a bit of a lie (well, a lot of a lie), but saying I'm a professional coutch potato wouldn't go down too well. most of the time people don't find out I'm not a vet anyway, they find out I'm mentally ill and no longer care what I am- because they run away.

the question I hate is: what is your future plans?

Possible trigger:

honestly my future plans is to just die as quickly as possible, get this hell of a life over with and move to the afterlife.

but I can't say that- so I usually say.. well, I don't know- which, I suppose, is a valid answer anyway- I mean who knows what the future holds?

another question I hate is

" so what did you do last night?"

most nights it's the same.. sitting on a chair in front of a computer rambling to someone about how unfair life is and how unwell I am. I don't go out to nightclubs or out to eat, I don't even go to see friends.. with that said that's the one thing I can't lie about, I just have to say.... nothing, and you?

I'm lucky in some respects I don't have any friends- who would want to be friends with someone like myself

[Christopher1990]

I just say I'm unemployed. Big deal.. I don't really care what people think at this point. I've ruined my reputation so many times and try to stay away from places of people I might know.

[Sunflower123]

I usually say that I’m currently under a doctor’s care but I think I’ll change it to I’m a retired CPA.

[Faltering]

I tell people what I do and they always seem to have the wrong idea of what it entails. So then I have to explain. It just gets tiring. It would be easier to say I'm a teacher or school counselor than a school psychologist.

[Pookyl]

Thank you everyone
I’ve decided to go with “I used to work in healthcare but I retired early to become a lady of leisure”.
Anyone who even sort of knew me before would’ve heard me talk of my dream to retire early.
I like that my statement is truthful. I suck at lying.