Is This Acceptable Small Talk Or Is This Rude?

I saw an interesting conversation happening on social media the other day that I wanted to share with y’all.

A question was raised on the Instagram account The Business Babes about whether or not it’s rude – when you’re first meeting someone – to ask what they do for work.  I’ve always felt like it’s an appropriate way to get to know someone, since most people spend a lot of time at work and therefore work tends to be an important part of people’s identity.  And even when that ISN’T the case, I’ve never thought for a moment that someone might actually think it’s an inappropriate or rude question.

But of course, we now live in a world where everyone is DYING to be offended or aggrieved about something, so naturally, there are a whole bunch of folks who are butthurt over this question.  Check out some of these comments:

So this is a thing now.  Now you have to worry, before you ask the question, whether or not the person is employed, or whether they’re in a “dynamic part of their life” or something.  If I were unemployed, I can’t imagine being offended by someone who I’d just met asking what I did for work.  I’d just say, “Well, right now, I’m not working, but I’m looking for X kind of job” or something like that.  And I’d probably use it as an opportunity to network.

Many of the comments on that thread were from folks who, like me, just can’t understand why people are so hell-bent on being offended by everything these days.

I’m curious to know where y’all stand on this issue.

Also, funny story that’s kinda related.  As most of you probably know, Daisy and I are radio hosts on our local newstalk station 93WIBC. And as probably ALL of you know, we live in a very politically divided country right now.  Being a conservative, publicly, has its challenges from time to time (case in point: the fact that we’ve put someone behind bars for stalking us and have a restraining order out on another person).

When I’m meeting someone for the first time, revealing what I do for a living isn’t just awkward, it can be downright terrifying, particularly when I’m in a position of vulnerability.  Let me just paint a picture for you. Rewind to several months ago when I’m getting my annual mammogram.  I’m basically naked from the waist up, with a gown on that doesn’t close, what with my boobs needing to be available for smashing and whatnot.  The technician, who’s as nice as can be and who’s as friendly as they come, is literally pulling on and tugging at one of my boobs so that she can arrange it onto the plexiglass thingamajiggy that smashes your boobs into a flat, unrecognizable pancake, and she chooses that moment to say to me, “So what do you do?”

And I immediately bristle, because I have no idea where she stands politically, and I’m very reluctant to make my political beliefs known to someone who’s holding one of my boobs and who may decide, based on my answer, to make this entire process way more excruciating than it already is.

So I say, “I work for a communications company.” (Which is purposefully vague, but true.)

And here’s how the rest of the convo goes, while she continues to manipulate my boob.

Her:  OH!  Which company?

Me:  Emmis.

Her:  Cool!  What do you do there?

Me:  I’m in radio.

Her:  What do you do in radio?

Me:  (seriously fretting because she is VERY PERSISTENT) Well, I guess you could say I’m ON it.

Her:  OH!  Are you a DJ?

Me:   No, it’s a news station.

Her:   So you’re a reporter?

Me:  Not a reporter – it’s just me and my best friend sharing our opinions about stuff.

Her:  You mean you have a show?

Me:  (Praying that she doesn’t ask what it’s called.)  Yes.

Her:  What’s it called?

Me:  Well, I’m reluctant to tell you because I don’t want it to affect how you feel about me since you’re holding my boob right now.

Her:  (laughing) I promise I won’t judge.

Me:  Ok.  It’s the Chicks on the Right show.

Her:  OMG I LOVE THAT SHOW!  All of us here in the office listen to it!

So yeah – that had a happy ending.  But you guys, it could have just as easily gone the other way, and for that reason, I don’t like being asked what I do for work when I’m having my boobs smashed.  Otherwise? I’m fine with it, mostly. I still get nervous, just because of how divided our country is, but I don’t consider it a rude question.  I just happen to have a weird job, is all.

Anyway, what do you think?  Acceptable small talk or rude AF?