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.

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

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 ???

Work is a major part of the lives of most people. Asking about occupation creates more conversation, it lets the woman talk about herself for a bit, and you find out whether they are doing something they love or are just in it for the paycheck... sure there's lots of things to talk about other than work, but guys can be nervous when they approach a woman, so it's just an easy question to ask. Why are you so sensitive about talking about your job?

I don't remember ever doing that. Sometimes it doesn't even come up in our first conversation. It will eventually come up in a conversation.

I suppose men are evaluating a woman as a possible partner. I read about a man who met an attractive women and married her. On their wedding night she presented him with a pile of maxed out credit card statements.

Just talk . Not two many questions . That is what talk to someone is . It is not man perspective .

Well if she does porn or is a stripper I kimda want to know! Lol

You said women could comment, so I will! For my part, it isn't a deciding factor ( there's always exceptions) but rather just a general foray into their mindset, priorities, lifestyle, etc. Just one more way to figure out what kind of person you are.
I tried to find the clip, maybe someone else can, but it's Red Forman at a party where he's asked "so what do you do?" Red's reply; "about what?" Perfect answer!

I would ask because that tells me a bit about her interests, her mind. I like to know the mind. I don’t feel that it is an offensive question.

To find out if we have mutual friends. For example, if she says she is a waitress, I'll say, "Do you know Kathy, she is a waitress." Just kidding...

Seriously though, I would ask that question to get to know her better. I enjoy and take my work seriously and it is something most of us spend most of our waking hours doing.

It's usually a safe question to ask. 99% of the time it'll lead to a safe answer that helps to build trust.

I think people ask because its largely, socially acceptable to do so. It's almost like asking a student "What's your major?"

Also assumptions are made that others are in careers that they love and that are part of their nature, their being. Before I was a teacher, I hated being asked "what I do." What I was doing before that had nothing to do with who I was fundamentally as a person.

These days talking about learning and teaching is a subject I'll talk your ear off.

Well....if you chose a career in a field, and work in a job where you literally spend 1/3 of your day, 1/3 sleeping, and the other 1/3 where at least part of your free time is showering, dressing, driving to your job, I am just curious about something that is obviously a big part of your daily life, and how invested/committed/happy you are with that choice. It's not some nefarious means to stereotype or judge you - it's just an attempt to find out what makes up your life. Plus, if you tell me you are a sky-diving instructor, that is some cool ass shit that I would like to know more about. Guys say it's just something to talk about, while women seem to put all this meaning and ulterior motive behind the question. Pretty good indicator who is really the more judgmental sex IMO.

It's a good conversation starter. Also, I like to see what we have in common. If someone was offended by my asking, I think I would have my answer on if we were compatible.

The comments are better than I though they would be.

If I were to ask it would not be right away. But eventually it would likely come up. It helps to know the person a little better but is not necessarily a big indicator of who that person is. The next question might be did you choose this occupation and/ or why are you doing this for a living.

For me it's a reach to find mutual interests.

I agree. people tend to be identified by their occupation which is a bit sad. There are much more important aspects to a person than what they do for a living.