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In my experience, that question is an awkward one for a surprising number of people. For some this question is awkward because they are looking for work or don't need to work. For others, this question implies that all you care about them is what they "do".

At the moment, I'm asking people "So, how do you stay busy?". This question has been the start of far more interesting conversations than "So, what do you do?".

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"What do you do?" is better than "Where do you work?" or worse, "Where did you go to school?", which are common among many people in professions like law.

My general rule of thumb with meeting new people is just to be genuinely interested in learning about them.

Even if you're asking the "what do you do" question, the authenticity you deliver the question with will make all the difference.

Good point on the authenticity aziari. I agree, it makes all the difference. Anything I can say beyond that is just repeating part of "How To Win Friends And Influence People" (An excellent and timeless book, despite the title, which didn't stand the test of time)

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