Whether it’s your career or your “story,” it could lead to you being judged. I could tell you that I went to a girls only private school for middle and high school and have you think I’m some sort of spoiled brat (or at least grew up as one). If you find out where I live you’d probably judge as well. Even if I tell you the story of how m…
Whether it’s your career or your “story,” it could lead to you being judged. I could tell you that I went to a girls only private school for middle and high school and have you think I’m some sort of spoiled brat (or at least grew up as one). If you find out where I live you’d probably judge as well. Even if I tell you the story of how my dad grew up in a family that barely made ends meet (but somehow managed to feed four kids plus a grandmother) and he eventually made his way to Canada.
This is why I like the “what do you eat” question above all. I feel like it keeps it from being associated with class or income level or anything else because everybody has to eat.
But what you eat ABSOLUTELY has to do with class and income. I don't eat a lot of ultra-processed foods and shop at certain stores associated with certain price points. I'm one of those "organic when possible" types. Doesn't that say A LOT? And food also associates with immigration/ethnicity/culture and maybe even how long your family has been here.
Sure, I get what you’re saying. I just don’t think it’s as loaded of a question all things considered as “what do you do”. For instance right now when people ask what do you do? It’s hard for us because my husband hasn’t had a job for over a year due to layoffs and I’m writing with the hopes it’s a full time income someday but right now it’s not. And because that’s a common question in the United States we have to field that question every time we meet new people. It’s refreshing when we meet people from other countries and that’s not the primary question asked because we don’t have to worry about it and we can just talk about life. I feel like “what do you eat?” speaks to more Parts of life.
Plus, generally when I’m asking people this question, they’re more reflective and responsive because it helps them reconnect to who they are.
Whether it’s your career or your “story,” it could lead to you being judged. I could tell you that I went to a girls only private school for middle and high school and have you think I’m some sort of spoiled brat (or at least grew up as one). If you find out where I live you’d probably judge as well. Even if I tell you the story of how my dad grew up in a family that barely made ends meet (but somehow managed to feed four kids plus a grandmother) and he eventually made his way to Canada.
This is why I like the “what do you eat” question above all. I feel like it keeps it from being associated with class or income level or anything else because everybody has to eat.
But what you eat ABSOLUTELY has to do with class and income. I don't eat a lot of ultra-processed foods and shop at certain stores associated with certain price points. I'm one of those "organic when possible" types. Doesn't that say A LOT? And food also associates with immigration/ethnicity/culture and maybe even how long your family has been here.
Sure, I get what you’re saying. I just don’t think it’s as loaded of a question all things considered as “what do you do”. For instance right now when people ask what do you do? It’s hard for us because my husband hasn’t had a job for over a year due to layoffs and I’m writing with the hopes it’s a full time income someday but right now it’s not. And because that’s a common question in the United States we have to field that question every time we meet new people. It’s refreshing when we meet people from other countries and that’s not the primary question asked because we don’t have to worry about it and we can just talk about life. I feel like “what do you eat?” speaks to more Parts of life.
Plus, generally when I’m asking people this question, they’re more reflective and responsive because it helps them reconnect to who they are.