When asked the inevitable And what do you do, you may think Im an
economist/an educator/an engineer is giving enough information to
engender good conversation. However, to one who is not an economist,
educator, or an engineer, you might as well be saying Im a
paleontologist/psychoanalyst/pornographer.
Flesh it out. Throw out some delicious facts about your job for new
acquaintances to munch on. Otherwise, theyll soon excuse themselves,
preferring the snacks back at the cheese tray.
pany actually discharged a woman for taking extra maternity leave that
was a medical necessity. A mother can relate to that.
Talking with a business owner? Say Im an attorney. Our firm specializes
in employment law. My current case concerns an employer who is being
sued by one of her staff for asking personal questions during the initial job
interview. A business owner can relate to that.
Painful Memories of Naked Job Flashers
I still harbor painful recollections of being tongue-tied when cofronted
by naked job flashers. Like the time a fellow at a dinner party told me, Im a
nuclear scientist. My weak Oh, that must be fascinating reduced me to a
mental molecule in his eyes.
The chap on my other side announced, Im in industrial abrsives, and
then paused, waiting for me to be impressed. My Well, er, golly, you must
have to be a shrewd judge of character to be in
industrial abrasives didnt fly either. We three sat in silence the rest of
the meal.
Just last month a new acquaintance bragged, Im planning to teach
Tibetan Buddhism at Truckee Meadows Community Colege, and then
clammed up. I knew less about Truckee Meadows than I did about Tibetan
Buddhism. Whenever people ask you what you do, give them some mouth-
to-ear resuscitation so they can catch their breath and say something.
How to Introduce People Like the Host(ess) with the Most(est)
It is important to help newlymets through their first nervous moments.
Susan, Id like you to meet John Smith. John, this is Susan Jones. Duh,
what do you expect John and Susan to say?
Smith? Umm, thats S-M-I-T-H, isnt it? Uh, er, golly, Susan, well, now,
theres an interesting name. Nice-try-forget-it. Dont blame John or Susan for
being less
ooja
(Ooja)
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