Sometimes your job can be a point of pride in your life, something you happily discuss with people either because you're proud of what you do or because you want people to know what kind of impact you make in others' lives.
However, there are those who prefer to keep what they do on the down-low.
Speaking about what you do could lead to complications, and who has time for that?
Reddit user, u/UltrawaveYT, wanted to hear how you keep it quiet when they asked:
What is your "I don't tell people where I work so They don't ask for help" story ?
Way To Bring Down The Party, Dude
I'm a social worker. I avoid telling people in real life because it usually goes down one of two ways.
- they hate social workers as evil agents of the state stealing children for no good reason and invading family privacy and tearing families apart.
- they idolise social workers as perfect guardian angels who do no harm ever and are constantly saving children from evil.
Neither are accurate. It makes for boring conversation in social situations, who wants to talk about child abuse at a party? (hint: not me).
"I Click On Every Tab That's Opened, Why?"
I don't tell people that I work in IT because I don't want to spend the next weekend fixing up their 8 year old laptop that has seen every "Hot chicks in your area" being opened.
No Vacancy
It's pretty normal that when new friends find out I work at a hotel they try to get free stays at other locations in our brand portfolio.
There's only one friend I've actually given a free week to. I offered a free room to another friend who had recently become homeless but he declined. Otherwise when people ask I refuse.
I Have Things I Like To Do In My Down Time, Too
I'm a 3D animator and people tend to ask for free animation for games or a home made movie... yeah no, i don't have the time, I enjoy my free time off of work.
Sad, Sad, Sad
I don't tell people I'm rich because they all suddenly have a sad life story and financial ruin.
I didn't have a job when I was 3. Money?
Don't Tell Them Everything
I've done my bachelor's in Computer Science. Which apparently makes me "Tech Support" for my whole Family and Extended-Family.
The thing I haven't told them is, I also write professionally, or else, they'll be on my throat, asking me to help their kids with their assignments and essays!
You're A Tool
I buy and sell large amounts of Milwaukee cordless power tools, and tune race cars as a hobby.
Everyone wants free tools.
Everyone wants car advice.
Can't Be Done Anecdotally
I worked for a long time as a behavioral therapist and people would ask if their kids had autism or how to fix them.
Not What I'm About
some people thinks software engineer means I can hack others Facebook ID.
Hey! I'm Off The Clock.
Can I fix your computer? Yes!
Will I fix your computer? No.
I went to a wedding for a colleague. At some point in the evening we were chatting with the parents of the bride and when they found out I worked with him they started to explain a computer problem and asked what I thought. I told them I thought they had a brand new son-in-law that could fix that right up for them lol.
Strange How That Works Out, Isn't It?
Up until a couple years ago, I worked in radio. Specifically, country radio.
I can tell you without hesitation that George Strait probably causes cancer. It's the only possible explanation for the fact that whenever he had an upcoming concert in our town, we were inundated with listeners who said that their mother (or grandmother, or aunt, or best friend) was dying of cancer and their last wish was to see George Strait in concert before they died, so they needed that pair of tickets we were giving away.
When he wasn't on tour? Cancer rates were low. When he was? Everyone's mom had cancer. Terminal cancer. With oddly specific death dates. If George was coming to town at the end of August, then mom was projected to die no later than September 1st.
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