I Hate to be Asked What I do for a Living

I don’t think that most people care if someone asks them what they do for a living. In fact, I think that most people probably like to talk about their job. However, in my case, when someone finds out what I do for a living, it can backfire. Thankfully no one really asks me what I do for a living very often.

There was one time where someone asked me what I do for a living and I have to admit I was amused by the response. I was at a barbecue that was being thrown by some friends. The party was a celebration for all of our kids who did karate together, so all of the karate parents and kids were there. Most of the parents I knew pretty well, but a few I did not know that well. One of the moms always did interesting things, and I had a few run-ins with her because she was one of those moms that thought her kids were the best at everything and she wanted to take control of the karate studio. She and other parents had some interesting interactions. Let’s just say she would fit right with any of the Real Housewives or Dance Moms. So, all of the parents were talking and somehow the conversation turned to what I do for a living. When the intense mom found out that I’m a psychotherapist her eye got big, and she said: “Oh wow, I do not know how to act now. I feel like you’re judging me”. And then she says: “I’ve done some really embarrassing things in front of you, have you been analyzing me??!!” And I laughed and before I could answer her, she said that she was going to get something to eat, and she ran away from me and avoided me the rest of the evening. LOL!!

Sometimes I get weird reactions like that, and sometimes no one cares, and other times people follow me around and ask me questions and ask my opinion about things. One of the top questions I get asked is: Are you always analyzing everyone? I always reply: “I can’t just go around analyzing people all of the time because that is exhausting. I just want to do things like everyone else. Plus, in order to analyze someone they need to tell me all about their life over time, and I don’t want to deal with that in my personal life. Unless you dance naked on the table with a lampshade on your head, I really don’t care what you do. But if you decide to dance naked on the table, I will definitely laugh at you”. And they always just kind of look at me and laugh nervously or laugh with me.