...My dad, may he rest in peace, taught me many wonderful…
““...My dad, may he rest in peace, taught me many wonderful things. And one of the things he taught me was never ask a guy what you do for a living. He said "If you think about it, when you ask a guy, what do you do you do for a living," you’re saying "how may I gauge the rest of your utterances." are you smarter than I am? Are you richer than I am, poorer than I am?" So you ask a guy what do you do for a living, it’s the same thing as asking a guy, let me know what your politics are before I listen to you so I know whether or not you’re part of my herd, in which case I can nod knowingly, or part of the other herd, in which case I can wish you dead.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Asking about occupation often masks deeper judgments about politics and social alignment.
In simple terms: Job questions hide hidden biases.
Key Takeaway
Focus on genuine curiosity, not assumptions.
Themes
social dynamics
politics
identity
communication
Mood
critical
observational
Type
social
psychological
When to use this quote
- networking
- interviews
- social gatherings
- political discourse
Key Concepts
sociology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ask without bias?
- What alternative ways reveal values?
A Different Perspective
Such probing can alienate and create division.