I ask because ( I think ) most (Not all) poor income woman are looking for a sugar daddy ? And they ask you the same question for the same reason ???

Myself personally I think that it's easier for a person to talk about themselves and then you can get an idea as to whether or not they're comfortable with you

It does say something about a person but not necessarily stereotypes. You have to be smart and/or work hard to be a lawyer or a doctor but it is just one dimension/layer to try to understand someone you just met. Where someone chooses to spend 10-30% of their time does say something significant about them. It's just more complicated than this=that. Sometimes a lawyer is a public defender and sometimes the prosecutor. There are pediatricians in the world that only care about helping kids and some who focus on making money.

It’s a great way of getting to know someone. I’ll ask the same question of a man when I meet him. I also the other typical questions of both. Like music or sports questions.

Because thats one of the first things that women ask me. So, I think that is what they want to talk about?

It’s a pretty easy, 0 pressure icebreaker. It’s not flirtatious enough to put the other person on guard, but it shows a certain level of not-so-creepy interest.

I never had an issue with women asking what I do for work until I started this career. Now I’m sometimes a little reluctant to answer only because it makes it difficult to gauge their actual interest level. A few women pick up interest just hoping for a free massage.

I don't mind it because I love my job. But I think it's just one of those standard questions everyone asks. I don't think it's ever changed my opinion of the person I was talking to.

Curiousity and it is a way to get her comfortable talking about herself? I mean most people I meet like what they do so they are very engaged and excited to share that with people.

It's a conversation starter - It can reveal a lot about the girl's interests, goals, drive, etc. If you're an entrepreneur, I can take that conversation in like 5 interesting directions. If you're 30 and still working as a bartender, you more than likely don't have much drive or goals.

Lack of imagination, struck dumb by your beauty and demeanor, wants to know your abilities to handle off beat questions, seems like somewhere in there is your answer

I find that many people identify/define themselves by their occupation, especially if they truly enjoy what they do. No matter the answer (just a job or it's their identity), a follow-up question is how much they enjoy it. That reveals several things: their job makes them feel good or miserable, if they are stuck in one location or they can move, they are looking to do something else and that may make a relationship work or not, they are too busy for a relationship without realizing or is willing to manage time to be with someone, and there are many other things to learn depending on the person/situation.
Of course, it doesn't mean this is something that needs to be asked right away.

"Imagine you've just met a woman, briefly discuss the weather and she asks, "So, what do you do for a living?"" - - pretty typical for the very few I encounter outside of work that wish to continue a discussion.

After telling the few that ask me what I do for a job and me asking them, "why do you ask?" the response is usually: "I just wanted to see if you make enough money to make me happy". I do respect that pragmatic answer.

As for me, I only ask on the very rare occasion I encounter a woman of superior (to general populous) intellect to establish a base for their education and interests. The more science they know, the more we can share.

I suppose I would ask because sometimes what a person does for a living lets you know a little bit about that person themselves

I imagine it's more of an ice breaker. there a motive? probably not but i can remember a song that said if her daddy's rich, take her out for a meal. if her daddy's poor, just do as you feel. asking right away? in general you sound defensive. why any one curious? because they either want to know, or they are interested. you are too defensive. by the way, what do you do for a living, lol

I think it is a central part of finding out about the person. I think I saw a study that said over 80% of people are unhappy in their job....so the following shouldn't be taken as "I see you as a sell out", but if I was to ask (1) it tells me if you are happy with what you do for 1/3 of your day and (2) it gives me an idea if you are not, what dreams you have given up on just to fit in and make ends meet. You typically spend 1/3 of your day at your job, 1/3 of your day sleeping, and 1/3 of your day dealing with life and trying to squeeze in some enjoyment. I don't necessarily judge a person if they are working at a job they hate, I've done that myself like most people, esp single parents, but it also tells me the what and why you are doing it.

So yea...I think your job is a big part of who you are b/c it is so much a part of your life.

I am a retired professional and outside of some horrible part time jobs in college have usually loved what I did for a living. I think there is frequently an assumption that what people do for a living is something about which they are passionate or, at least something they like. That's obviously not true for a huge portion of the population but I think people who love what they do tend to assume most other people also love what they do. I think that people who hate what they do for a living might think that nobody else would tolerate hating what they do and must love or at least like what they do. If that is substantially true (?) then asking someone what he or she does and how he or she feels about it is looking for a window through which they can get an idea of who that person is. That is a reasonable curiosity. If someone hates what they do and they tell me that I would feel a step closer to knowing who that person is. I understand that Europeans are baffled why Americans ask each other what they do for a living.

24 hours a day - 8 for sleeping - 1 or 2 commuting - 1 or 2 eating - 8 working.... work is something a person spends a significant portion of their lives doing. Depending on the vocation, you might spend more time doing that than being with anyone else in a day. It is synonymous with asking "what are you passionate about in life?" If it isn't, then you aren't living as well as you could.

Most men in this society feel that they are defined by their job. Them asking what someone does for a living is a way to help define who the person is.

I do not feel at all defined by my job. I don't ask what a woman does for her living, I ask how she spends her time? The answer reveals a lot about her and her priorities. If she spends 20 minutes telling me about her volunteer work rescuing kittens before she mentions her job, I know which matters more to her, or at least which she finds more fulfilling and rewarding.

Another reason for asking about someone's job is to find out what her schedule is like. Is it compatible with mine to the point that we will be able to spend time together? Will she have time to travel? Will that be weekends or weekdays? Fortunately I have some flexibility in my schedule, but it's helpful to know what to expect.

It tells you if the woman is pro active and is ambitious. Having no job highlights inactivity. Student highlights working towards something. Having a job highlights pro active member of society.

It's less about what they do for a living and more about why they do it. Are they at that job because they love it and it's really important to them? Or are they strictly there for a paycheck? If they like it, why? What does their job say about their values?

I am an older man and I have found that question very male by nature. Men, when they meet, will soon be talking about what they do for a living. Yes, it is a bit strange when you think about it. Perhaps, and I can't say for sure, young men still do that and they do it with women now. In a way it is a matter of equality. I like to know what a person does. I am a film editor and I compose music. Have a nice day.

I'm a woman and have been asked this question by men and I have asked this question myself. I don't mind the question and I don't mind answering it. It's just a piece of information that can help you to see how a relationship with that person fits together. I always thought guys just wanted to see if I was self sufficient and can take care of myseIf and not become overly financially dependent on them. I understand how people are concerned about being in a relationship where they could end up being the sole provider. Most of us want a partner you can build a future with and work together towards a decent life. Myself, I just like to know that they have a job! I mean it's just a practical and real life question. However, I have been asked how much I make. That's not cool. It doesn't matter how much you make. That's just someone looking for money. I think what you do for a living is a very practical question and leads to us feeling a little more secure about entering into the relationship. I'm cool with it.

Just to make conversation if you what you do for a living is your passion it says a lot about you and therefor paints a good picture of what type of persone you are and if you don't like your job can still be a good conversation as why your in this line of work and what you can do to change that

Encouragement

Some women don't like to talk about what they do for a living because they feel that it doesnt help them better themselves or because they feel the income earned isnt enough. When I ask, I also ask if they like what they do, and I encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. Gotta remember we live in a world of fake economies and "jobless recoveries" so having a job is better than being unemployed or victimized by "jobless recoveries".

Honestly it’s just one of a long list of questions I ask when I am first getting to know somebody. When people tell me things about themselves, I don’t really judge them, nor do I ask questions with ulterior motives.