One pet hate (possibly peculiar to some folks) is when, in social situations, someone asks, 'So, what do you do?', like, immediately after exchanging names. 'Do', as in: job.
I always feel like the reveal of time spent in wage-slavery or in a chosen profession is pending judgment from the asker; over everything we are as a person.
Maybe I overthink it, but I'll wager we've all seen hollow judgement, reductionism, (and stigma), for ourselves.
@danialexis I like it; good way of flipping it around. I like asking people what they enjoy doing. Depending on the job it grinds to a halt rather fast. Sometimes you can see a glint when someone talks about a hobby it interest.
I think they ask questions like that, or about sports or weather, because they don't know enough about you to ask anything else. Tell them :)
@ceorl I like asking, 'What do you enjoy doing in your free time?' Even if it's something I have no interest in, it's better to encourage people tell me about their yums. Sometimes you can see the passion.
Yes that is probably a better opening. Most people are not that skillful at getting started talking with strangers. A compliment works wonders too :)
@Clavius_42 I agree.
I've started answering this question with "I pay the bills by [job], but what I actually care about is [other thing]."