To ask whether you judge someone based on their occupation?

[lushilaoshi]

I am sometimes judged (I think) a bit harshly based on my occupation. It can be a bit of a conversation killer, sometimes.

So without revealing yet what I actually do, if I were to say (for instance) that I am a City lawyer, what assumptions would you make about me? Would you take an instant dislike? Versus if I were to tell you that I am, for example, a languages teacher?

I think I can predict some answers, but I am curious about what characteristics are attributed to certain occupations, and whether justified. And in particular, whether gender makes any difference to your judgement?

lushi - were you quoting me when you highlighted 'make money out of other peoples misery'? That wasn't aimed at you - you're a lawyer, aren't you? It was in response to Aye who is an insurance underwriter - she understands (correctly - sorry Aye!) that the day-to-day involvement that the public have with insurance is not usually a pleasant experience, so it's not popular

I'm a business analyst. Many people have no idea what a business analyst is or does.

I am one of those bythesea. What do you do?

Umm - I'm going to say you analyse the business, you identify risks, opportunities, strengths, weaknesses in performance and so on, and look for ways to improve, grow, etc? Or am I way off track?

I was, chenjin, but if you were not aiming that at me then I take it back.

I notice cruikshank has slunk off...

A good business analyst is worth their weight in gold, ByTheSea. I started out as one and always assumed anyone with two working brain cells could do it. Then I met my last BA whom we called Edward the Useless and later his successor, Useless the second. We like no. 2 even though he doesn't actually understand the basic requirements. Unlike no. 1 he at least lets is do the job he can't do on his behalf and doesn't constantly insist on doing things his (bloody useless) way.

So it really doesn't matter if most of the world doesn't know what it is you do. Those in the know will love you if you're even half decent at the job.

Aw thanks - I like to think I'm a good one. Managing a team of them too.

Nolim, everything from due diligence and business cases and gap analysis to facilitating the gathering of and documenting requirements and to design and test support.

Another conversation-stopper: say you're a philosopher. Or a mathematician. Or a physicist...

I would assume that you were well paid and worked very long hours.

Both are reasonable assumptions for that kind of career. Other than that, I wouldn't assume anything else.

Is being a philosopher an actual job that people get paid for? [ignorant]

I wouldn't even know where to begin with any assumptions for that one.