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ewmoda

I need some words of wisdom-or conversation stoppers

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 15:43

So-after working more than 30 years I am very happily retired. I read, I quilt, I write letters the old fashioned way, I take 100s of photos, make photo books, run the house and cook and yes, I admit it-I even potter about!
However when I am asked "What do you do all day?" it somehow makes me feel a tad defensive-and even guilty.......
Do any of you have any witty (polite) replies? I am rather sick of being asked what I do!

Log in to post new content in the forum.

1236

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 01:35

Glad to be able to make some of you smile or LOL!! :D

369

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 19:48

I have a friend who always replies, facebook games, I play them all day long :) She wrote it on an application for something once

471

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 19:41

I'd say... "nunya".... "Nunya business' This is a true gem! Funny!!!

2725

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 19:10

If I get asked "what do you do" my reply is I work as a researcher for the "Thirsty Traveller" works a treat. lol

457

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 18:20

JoyceB, that needs to go in the Overheard in MacDonalds thread!! A male friend of mine asked this girl at a party 'so what do you do?'. She replies 'anything you want!'

498

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 18:18

I'd say... "nunya".... "Nunya business'

574

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 17:49

Thank you Ladies for some brilliant ideas - noting them down now :) And JoyceB for the massive laugh! <em>edited by twin_butterfly on 14/07/2011</em>

103

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 13:44

On the other side of the coin, I never get asked what I do or where or if I work here. I feel like it is assumed that wives don't work here. I get asked what my husband does, what my father does and even what my brother does but never what I do. Like a wife in Dubai couldn't possibly have her own career and must be trailing her huband. In the UK I was always asked and sometimes I lied and said I was a housewife to avoid the many follow up questions that revealing my job attracts but no one ever asked me what I do all day!

231

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 13:26

I am semi retired having worked as a nurse since 1972. Still do bank shifts to keep my hand in so to speak. Now back home in Scotland with fully retired DH and we are loving life to the full. Here is a fellow retired person's account of a supermarket visit. I was in the Q of our local supermarket carrying a huge bag of Winalot. Woman behind me says, "do you have a dog?" Me under breath (no I have a flipping pet elephant that lives in the garage) Instead I say " Actually, I am on the Winalot diet, it is full of minerals, protein and fibre. You simply put a few in your pocket and nibble on them as you feel hungry. It worked really well last time and I lost several stone" "Gosh" says the woman," sounds like a great diet" By this time the entire Q is listening to our conversation. "Only down side is that I ended up in ITU with tubes in every orifice, but I'm fine now so going to start again" "Oh my goodness" says the woman " What happened, did you have some kind of bad reaction to the Winalot then?" "No, I stepped off the pavement to sniff an Irish Setter's a**e and got hit by a truck"!!! The cashier fainted. Thanks for the laugh ... needed it!

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 13:26

Oh JoyceB, I was smiling away at your little snippet below until I got to the last part where I burst out laughing, DD now wondering what I am laughing at. I have never had a problem with people about not working. I do jokingly like to refer to myself myself as Chief Executive of the household. If someone seemed to be demeaning about me not working I would just say that I am my own boss, and do what I want, when I want. :) Glad you put a link to this wuffles and I am always up for a cup of coffee and a chat. :) :)

nadadanada38506

351

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 13:23

I am semi retired having worked as a nurse since 1972. Still do bank shifts to keep my hand in so to speak. Now back home in Scotland with fully retired DH and we are loving life to the full. Here is a fellow retired person's account of a supermarket visit. I was in the Q of our local supermarket carrying a huge bag of Winalot. Woman behind me says, "do you have a dog?" Me under breath (no I have a flipping pet elephant that lives in the garage) Instead I say " Actually, I am on the Winalot diet, it is full of minerals, protein and fibre. You simply put a few in your pocket and nibble on them as you feel hungry. It worked really well last time and I lost several stone" "Gosh" says the woman," sounds like a great diet" By this time the entire Q is listening to our conversation. "Only down side is that I ended up in ITU with tubes in every orifice, but I'm fine now so going to start again" "Oh my goodness" says the woman " What happened, did you have some kind of bad reaction to the Winalot then?" "No, I stepped off the pavement to sniff an Irish Setter's a**e and got hit by a truck"!!! The cashier fainted. Haha best laugh I've had all week - Thanks x

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 13:14

Oh JoyceB, I was smiling away at your little snippet below until I got to the last part where I burst out laughing, DD now wondering what I am laughing at. I have never had a problem with people about not working. I do jokingly like to refer to myself myself as Chief Executive of the household. If someone seemed to be demeaning about me not working I would just say that I am my own boss, and do what I want, when I want. :) Glad you put a link to this wuffles and I am always up for a cup of coffee and a chat. :)

355

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 08:05

ROFL Joyce B that's classic. I had a friend who used to say gently to networkers who were clearly NOT interested in her response: "What do I do all day? Oh nothing that would be useful for your career enhancement, dear" with a sweet smile.

1236

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 02:07

I am semi retired having worked as a nurse since 1972. Still do bank shifts to keep my hand in so to speak. Now back home in Scotland with fully retired DH and we are loving life to the full. Here is a fellow retired person's account of a supermarket visit. I was in the Q of our local supermarket carrying a huge bag of Winalot. Woman behind me says, "do you have a dog?" Me under breath (no I have a flipping pet elephant that lives in the garage) Instead I say " Actually, I am on the Winalot diet, it is full of minerals, protein and fibre. You simply put a few in your pocket and nibble on them as you feel hungry. It worked really well last time and I lost several stone" "Gosh" says the woman," sounds like a great diet" By this time the entire Q is listening to our conversation. "Only down side is that I ended up in ITU with tubes in every orifice, but I'm fine now so going to start again" "Oh my goodness" says the woman " What happened, did you have some kind of bad reaction to the Winalot then?" "No, I stepped off the pavement to sniff an Irish Setter's a**e and got hit by a truck"!!! The cashier fainted.

822

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 07:25

I have different replies depending on the way I am asked what I do/do you work/how do you spend your time? 1. I'm a CHO (Cheif Household Officer if asked to expand on my title) sometimes I even add UK & UAE. 2. I'm Oscar's mother (he's a dog). 3. I'm a retired Midwife - true. 4. I worked 34 years - I'm having me time. 5. I don't have time to work - I'm too busy having fun. 6. I'm a lady of leisure - it's brilliant. I also hate being judged by my (or my DH's) job title. I detest the way some people look down their nose when I say I don't work - I worked damned hard, both studying and working for long enough. Why shouldn't I be happy that my DH is pleased to have me be at home. He only comes home at weekends and loves coming into a clean house, good food on the table and a happy unstressed wife and dog waiting for him - not the stressed midwife (if I was even there when he came home) bored dog and messy home.

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 00:16

I just say "Me?! Oh, I'm a Domestic Goddess!", smile sweetly and change subject. Most people are confused and don't have a clue what I'm talking about and are too embarrassed to delve further as it sounds a bit dodgy.... :D If I get to like them I'll explain I'm really the head chef and bottle washer ;) Wouldn't work-could never pass for a Goddess-domestic or otherwise! Trust me - neither would I!! Still works, people's minds start racing with possible images, so actually, the further away from the popular image of 'goddess' the better... ;) Good point-they will be kept very busy then!

858

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 00:14

I just say "Me?! Oh, I'm a Domestic Goddess!", smile sweetly and change subject. Most people are confused and don't have a clue what I'm talking about and are too embarrassed to delve further as it sounds a bit dodgy.... :D If I get to like them I'll explain I'm really the head chef and bottle washer ;) Wouldn't work-could never pass for a Goddess-domestic or otherwise! Trust me - neither would I!! Still works, people's minds start racing with possible images, so actually, the further away from the popular image of 'goddess' the better... ;)

170

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 00:13

How are you doing today Wuffles?

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 00:08

I just say "Me?! Oh, I'm a Domestic Goddess!", smile sweetly and change subject. Most people are confused and don't have a clue what I'm talking about and are too embarrassed to delve further as it sounds a bit dodgy.... :D If I get to like them I'll explain I'm really the head chef and bottle washer ;) Wouldn't work-could never pass for a Goddess-domestic or otherwise!

858

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 29 June 2011 - 00:03

I just say "Me?! Oh, I'm a Domestic Goddess!", smile sweetly and change subject. Most people are confused and don't have a clue what I'm talking about and are too embarrassed to delve further as it sounds a bit dodgy.... :D If I get to like them I'll explain I'm really the head chef and bottle washer ;)

2322

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 20:25

I tell people, why on gods good earth would I WANT to work? I am lucky enough not to, I persue stuff I love, am there for child (and hubby) and I am happy. So, I hate housework(and am rubbish at it, but we cope), but guess what, I hate being at the beck and call of a company who demands all of me and more. I am free to be who I want, do what I want, when i want and no more restrictions on where my 'self' can go. ('sept for hubby, who if truth be told, is just a little bit pleased he is able to allow me this)

139

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 20:05

I tell people "im an author/ journalist" who is to say im not??? maybe i have a secret novel out under a secret pen name?? lol... OR, depending on the person, i tell people the truth "i get to do WHATEVER i want" that really stings some of them that deserve it :D

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 18:10

not quite the same, but similar (SAHM)... "[chuckle and big smile'> What don't I do?!" "I've never been so busy!" and my favourite (which is true) "I sometimes wish I was back at work... for a rest!"

5499

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:49

"As little as I can possibly get away with" is my favoured response.

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:37

All the things you wish you could! :)

Saharagypsyrose

484

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:36

I have sent most of them back 'home' but cuppas are always good regardless! I thik if I studied I would want a bit of paper at the end-guess I could almost afford it if I did it part time but I'd be 11o0 by the time I finished and the courses I fancy have field components which would have to be done back home too Yikes, that just sounds a bit complicated and I don't think you wanna study until you are 110! lol . As you said, after working for over 30 years, you definitely deserve to be in "retirement". Sounds like you are enjoying life and get to do your hobbies (not everyone has that luxury), so have a blast while you are at it! I like SydGal's comeback...It's a full time job just being me. I think you should use that one next time you get asked and then tell us what the responses to that are :D Will email you later for a tea date ;)

211

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:31

All the things you wish you could!

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:24

I sit at home waiting for my dolphin trainer application to be accepted?

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:19

Studying would be nice but distance ed costs so much when you already have a degree-would jump at the chance if I had the money True! The classes I do have to make special trip back to the States which is costly but can't be help. For other type of "studying" I just go to Google University for free :) As an aside, if you feel like it one of these days, come over for a cuppa tea, would love to see your photo books! edited by Saharagypsyrose on 28/06/2011 I have sent most of them back 'home' but cuppas are always good regardless! I thik if I studied I would want a bit of paper at the end-guess I could almost afford it if I did it part time but I'd be 11o0 by the time I finished and the courses I fancy have field components which would have to be done back home too

Saharagypsyrose

484

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 28 June 2011 - 17:15

Studying would be nice but distance ed costs so much when you already have a degree-would jump at the chance if I had the money True! The classes I do have to make special trip back to the States which is costly but can't be help. For other type of "studying" I just go to Google University for free :) As an aside, if you feel like it one of these days, come over for a cuppa tea, would love to see your photo books! <em>edited by Saharagypsyrose on 28/06/2011</em>

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