Do you think 'So, what do you do?' is a good way to get to know someone, or does it tell you almost nothing?

B Natural answer

I think it is a useful question, but mostly as a shortcut. It gives you a starting point, because someone's job often tells you something about their routine, their interests, and even how they see themselves. Still, it can also be misleading. A person might work in finance and love music, or teach during the day and run marathons at night. So if you stop at that question, you only get a shallow answer. What matters is how you follow up. If you ask why they chose that work, what part they enjoy, or what they would do if money were no issue, you start to learn how they think about their work. That is much more interesting than the title alone. I also think it can reveal a small window into someone's life, but only a small one. So, yes, it is a reasonable opener, yet it should never be the whole conversation.

Key phrases in this answer

• how they think about their work — the attitude, values, and perspective someone has toward their job“His answer showed how he thinks about his work.”
• small window into someone's life — a limited glimpse of a person's life or personality“A first question gives you only a small window into someone's life.”
• break the ice — to make a conversation less awkward at the beginning“A quick joke can break the ice at a new event.”
• feel people out — to learn what someone is like by watching and asking gently“I usually feel people out before I share too much.”
• give you a starting point — provides an initial basis for a conversation or idea“That question gives you a starting point for a longer talk.”
• opens a door — creates an opportunity for something to happen next“That question opens a door to a better conversation.”