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Thread: "So, what do you do for a living?"

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    Default "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I am not ashamed of what I do but there are times where it would be very inappropriate to be truthful. Although I don't do it myself, the "what do you do" question is very common. Most of the time, I just say I am a student but that can't go on for that long. I get most uncomfortable when I am travelling and customs asks that question. I am sure telling them the truth in this case would not be a good idea. I'm wondering what is a good thing to say in such a scenerio. Also, has anyone also thought of opening their own business either for tax purposes or so they have something truthful to say to customs, friends, parents etc? What kind of business was it?

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I generally say I'm either an artist's model, an artist, an actress or a designer.
    All of which are somewhat-not-quite-totally-true.
    On that note, I figured in case of emergency one member of my family should know what I'm up to (they all think I'm a waitress)....it kinda hurt to tell my gramma, and then to see her obviously bothered by it. Some part of me wishes I'd never told her, because she seemed to be disapproving mostly out of concern for my safety. I guess it's better for me to feel badly for feeling like I did something to disappoint her than for something awful to happen to me during my stripping days and for no one in my family to know the truth about what I was doing.
    "Just 'cause she dances go-go, that don't make her a 'ho, no.....called up my Mama, said 'I'm in love with this stripper yo.'"
    -Wyclef Jean

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    God/dess Bridgette's Avatar
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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Angelina, where are you travelling to or from when customs people ask you what you do for a living? Where are you from? Where is your citizenship? If you're a US citizen travelling outside the US and getting asked that by US customs upon returning, that is a pretty standard question for them to ask when they talk to people. I've been asked that every time I got stopped, which is most of the time. Apparently attractive young single females are on the list of possible suspects for customs officials to question. They always ask me if I'm carrying anything illegal or limited like Cuban cigars, tobacco, alcohol or drugs. I am never carrying anything, so I know I have nothing to worry about, so I just answer their questions and they let me go. If you feel uncomfortable telling them you're a dancer, come up with a story you can easily roll off the tongue without stuttering or twitching. They're just looking for people who suddenly get nervous when being questioned, so if you get nervous you could find yourself being detained so they can search your belongings. They don't give a damn if you're a stripper - they are concerned with whether you're a smuggler, so you need to have a good answer when they ask what you do for a living.

    I don't tell them I'm a stripper because of the big news story a couple years ago about drgu dealers using strippers to smuggle stuff into the country. I figure that would set off alarm bells. And with the way I dress, I don't have that obvious 'stripper look'. I tell them I'm a freelance computer nerd, and I know enough about computers to tell a good story, and I used to live with a computer nerd who worked as a contractor, so I can make it believable. That is the same story I use for landlords as well, so they won't assume I'll be a loud obnoxious drug-abusing partier just because of my job.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Maybe try performance artist or professional dancer- the latter will make people think LV showgirl or MTV videos or ballet company or Broadway- lots of possibilities with that answer..... and since not very many Joe or Jane Blow types are very educated in the arts(sad fact in the US) there shouldn't be too many questions.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Bridgette, I am Canadian but I travel to the States and other places from time to time. That seems to be a standard question for everyone. I agree its not a good idea to tell customs about stripping as there is a sterotype that people think strippers conform to. I find that they like to ask detailed questions. Like if I say I am a student, they will say which school? which courses? One day I am afraid they will actually call the school to verify. Also if I made up some job and they find out I was lying, they will wonder why I am lying. I am considering setting up a business on paper so that I have a good story for everyone.
    I like the term "professional dancer." Thats a good one. With my luck though, they will say "where do you dance?" :-)
    A lot of people i know are "professionals" and work at the office. I think they may judge me and assume things about me if I say I am a stripper. Also, when a guy asks me out on a date, I feel funny if I told him the truth.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    How about freelance model?


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    Veteran Member anklefrog's Avatar
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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I always say an entertainer. Also "dancer" can mean different types of dancing. If you talking with soemone who you wouldn't mind if they knew like a stranger they can always ask "what type of dancer". If you have experience in tap, or ballet you could always use that.
    It's better to be looked over, than overlooked.

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    Pamela
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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Been asked too many times by my hospital co-workers and traveling to Sweden. I am a dancer, and work for a trauma center. Period. That has been my answer, and i never got questioned when it came to flying home.
    Now at the hospital, alot of people don't like the fact that i danced. Big SHIT. They knew upon hiring me, because i qualified for the job, went through 3 interviews, and HR cleraed me as "doing nothing illegal", and no record.
    That will be the day they fire me, and actually have the nerve to tell me it was because i was a dancer!!!! several DOCTORS are damn cross dressers while working in the hospital, they wear the clothing under thier scrubs, coats etc.
    One Doc. told me, while he came to see me dance. Everyone has thier own "thing" going on, and others need to get over it! Dancing is a JOB, and can mean many types of dancing. I don't think they need to know stripper. I just think that word is a little to 'loud' for alot of people, if you know what i mean.
    I won't lie, took my chances, and feel i have one! I am certainly not the only one out there!
    Pamela

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    Veteran Member Theresa's Avatar
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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Well, you could always say you are in sales, lol.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Fashion model, runway model, spokesmodel are all good. They work freelance. Better yet, tell them you research statistics for a manufacturing company. Most people are so math shy they won't ask another question. Tell the truth and be proud. It's not illegal.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I tell people I am a full time student. I feel its the truth since a am in school 5 days a week. At most I dance no more than 4 days, and some freelance work one or two days a week on average.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Usually I say student, which I am, if I'm not feeling like explaining, but I do have my own party planning business (okay, so it's planning bachelor parties) and that's my "legit" answer.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I work at Crackel Barrel as a hostess part-time. It works out two ways, when people ask me what I do, I tell them I work in a restaurant....and I get benefits I don't get dancing, like health insurance and 401K.
    I don't tell alot of people what I do. I remember what I used to think before I started doing this, and I was much more open minded than most girls.....the first girl I told, turned to her friend and said "she's not even that pretty" It was like I wasn't even there!! She'd always been really nice and respectful before, and now when they talk about me, they call me the stripper, or WORSE! and they won't let thier boyfriends go out with my boyfriend and I anymore.... Girls can be really mean.

    ANGEL
    Hottie on the Hood

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    Senior Member April's Avatar
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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I don't receive a paycheck from the club I work for (most clubs are that way), so I'm considered self-employed for tax purposes. In the slot where they want a description of your business, I put "Independent Entertainer".

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I have a little part time job at JC Penney, tell everybody i work there, plus i model a little bit. That is all i tell them, anything else is not their business! For me dancing is a secret job, workout, money and fun!
    ORCHID

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I tell people I'm in pharmaceutical drug trial studies and leave the rest up to their imagination... questions and 2nd dates don't usually proceed after I reveal this information tho

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I tell people around my age I`m a dancer and work at a hotel, and older people only that I work at a hotel. My parents don`t know, they just wouldn`t understand. I`m soo scared about them finding out...they`d kill me!

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    At border crossings I say student - and I take my studies(books) and student card from the college with me. It's the truth just not all of it!

    In conversations amongst certain company I say student and columnist, (I write for 2 small magazines in Toronto one industry related (stripping) - the other is a entertainment newspaper/magazine about restaurants, club listings, mainstream stuff) also the truth JUST not all of it!
    It just depends on "Who wants to Know?" and I tailor my responses to fit the given situation.
    LIVE LONG & PROSPER!
    Leigh Landon

    Never explain yourself to anyone, because the person who likes you doesn't need it and the person that dislikes you won't believe it.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    Angelina, if you want to say you're a student, just think of a school where you know someone who goes or went there, what is/was their major, and use that. Use the same story every time you decide to evade the truth, and soon it will become so natural you will even start to fool yourself! Whatever story you use, make it either something you've done in the past, something you do as a hobby, or something you know someone else does so you know enough about the subject to tell a plausible story.

    It is highly unlikely, at the least, that customs agents would call to verify your story. What's more likely is if you get nervous talking to them and they feel you are suspicious, they'll search you and your stuff. They always want to look at your passport and tickets, and ask questions about your travelling habits. Since I have alot of stamps from Central America and the Caribbean, they always ask about that. I tell the truth about that - I go for vacations, and since my story is that I'm a freelance computer geek, it's enough to keep them from thinking I'm a smuggler, which I'm not!

    I think you may be getting more anxious than you need to be. Just remember you're not really doing anything wrong so you can relax! And regarding guys you date, friends, etc, my attitude is that if they have a problem with my dancing, I don't need to hang out with them. I don't waste my time worrying about what some judgmental person thinks of what I do, because there are plenty of cool, normal, sane, fun people to hang out with who don't care about my job. It's that simple.

    Quote Originally Posted by pheno View Post
    When you lead a nontraditional life don't try to measure it with traditional milestones.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    With your experance you can be a
    promoter. A young, attractive,go-getter
    who meets new people every day can
    do well. Its fun too! I would be happy
    to share tips/info.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    bartender.

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I personally just tell people I am a student and that I work at a bar...I guess they assume bartender, waitress, ect.
    My friend uses property management
    i love my christopher

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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    I also work as a part time flight attendant which will come in handy when I start dancing around the world!

    I am with a model agency but at 5'2" people look at me odd as if EVERY SINGLE MODEL IN THE WORLD are above 5'8" which they are not.
    http://www.mypole.co.uk/niki
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NikiDLish

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    Veteran Member hollyday's Avatar
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    Default Re: "So, what do you do for a living?"

    i just say i'm in sales
    blessed be

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