Is it rude to ask someone what they do for a living?

I would avoid that question when you first meet someone. It used to be the first thing I would ask someone I first met. Now, I try not to ask it at all. I would instead ask where they grew up. That way, you will find out a lot about that person without seeming intrusive or trying to figure out their socioeconomic status.

[carliiiartist]

Thank you. Someone recently asked me this question directly after asking, "Where do you live?" I was very put off. There wasn't much else to the conversation. I got out of it. And the conversation was online! Thank you Marie!!!

[darktriadimposter]

I have had girls ask me this seconds after meeting me. I am almost positive it was to size up me as a prospect for dating. If women are going to still be deciding a man's worth by his career then maybe they should stay in the kitchen and go back to not being allowed to vote.

[joeshmoe]

I’m a more private type of person and don’t like people to know my business. I’ll lie and say I work at home depot.

[LaDonna-nldm]

Even if you know the person. If you know they have a job and they haven’t voluntarily told you where they work. Don’t ask unless it’s the topic of conversation. Randomly texting someone and asking them is rude

[BadgerBabyBoy]

As an unemployed person I hate being asked what I do for a living
I don’t know how to answer it in a way that doesn’t make me feel shit

[opaz]

It is definitely rude (to put it lightly). It is a question that is predictably asked within the first 5 minutes of meeting a woman for the first time. There have been a rare few who have prolonged the question, or avoided it initially. Seems like a few women are catching on to how annoying and rude the question is. To put it in a nutshell... it comes across as a typical "shit test" question, to determine a man's status and worthiness. I usually lie, or simply don't respond to the question (depending on mood).

[attnMoFo]

I'm a non white American. I have no discernible accent or affectation towards a particular culture other than being an American. The number two question I'm asked after what I do for a living is "where are you from". When I tell them Southern California, they say "No, where are you really from, what are you?" 

[TiffanyWestNyc]

Americans are like this! Status and wealthy in some Europeans countries it’s rude to ask what you do for a living

[Tearstolaughter]

It would be nice if more people could see things the way Marie does!

[SWFL]

I didn't know this until I asked a girl out of small talk, and my cousin told me it's rude. I've never seen it as rude at all unless they try to get into specific details (full time/part time/ pay, etc). I STILL don't think it's rude, but I know other people do think it's rude, so I don't ask this question anymore.

I think the perspective changes if you're unemployed or if you work at a frowned upon occupation.

[Forthepaycheck]

Asking about a Major isnt the same as asking about their current career... I read that most people wont even get a job that corresponds with their major (right away at least)... and so long as you're not asking about Majors to see who is gunning for a 100, 000$ a year job, then it's a fairly mild question, comparatively, at least.

[SWFL]

I honestly think this is a "living class" issue. Some people find it rude while others see it as conversation starters.

[Jaguar]

Yeah that question is a tough one. My neighbor seemed to be offended when I asked her. But I think her response of "it pays the bills" was rude lol. I know the most common question when I'm on campus is "what's your major? what year are you?" That's a good ice breaker.

[Stgfre]

When you ask someone "what do you do for a living", it is a form of social control, and a social norm.