Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
There’s one question that trips us up. "What do you do for living" over a dinner table with some people we barely know either puts us on the defensive, or we paint it in the brightest colors possible only to realize it’s a lie. Describing something so obvious turns out to be out of our comfort zone, so what if we change the game rules?
“Poorly explain what you do for a living,” wrote Jeremy Padawer on Twitter, and guess what? People were more than happy to deliver some absurdly funny truth bombs. Like, watching tiny humans exit larger humans or taking used clothes from big people and making them right for smaller people. If it doesn’t make sense, read it again and wait for the “aaah!”
Below, we compiled some of the best responses from the thread to show that you don’t be so serious to reply to that tricky question.
Image credits: JeremyCom
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
HufflepuffPanda 5 years ago
This just goes to show that when you break something down that far, things get weird. Very Weird.
Marnie 5 years ago
In the Floyd case, they showed up, then waited minutes before asking one of the cops to start CPR. Of course we know that minutes without oxygen means brain damage, so why weren't the EMTs charged with something? In the Tony Timpa case, it seemed like the EMTs didn't do their job. Took forever, sedated him, then didn't even realize he'd died until it was too late. You think you will call the EMTs and they will rush and do everything to save you. I'm not seeing it.
RELATED:
#2
#3
Bardhi's Dad 5 years ago
Not everyone can (or want to) be what that extremely dumb and dangerous maniacal clown is
Robin DJW 5 years ago
Do you mean that some people don't want to be dumb, dangerous maniacal clowns, or that some cannot or don't want to be POTUS? Or both?
Load More Replies... 
Full of Giggles 5 years ago
Richard, You are absolutely ridiculous. Help and make changes? How in the Hades do you propose we do that? We don't have the power or authority to make the changes needed. That responsibility falls on the president. That is his job. And while he is employed by us citizens, he should not be watching TV and tweeting around the clock. You and I would be fired if we did it as habitually as he did. Also, the economy may be recovering SLIGHTLY faster than expected, but we are officially in a recession. The vaccine may be days away, but many respected medical experts AND the FDA itself are against approval for consumer use as they feel it has not received sufficient clinical trial to guarantee it's safe. Trump is blackmailing the FDA director for approval in order to get the vaccine out before election. Finally, the COVID death rate is not even close to the annual flu death rate. 162k more people have died from COVID so far. I suggest you put down the Kool-Aid and do some research.
Johanna Mueller 5 years ago
dont even compare him to a mango that perfe t fruit is nothing like that awful man
Load More Replies...
Lisa Chambers 5 years ago
So this person is unemployed and has no fun "bad" description of their job? Got it.
Bored Panda reached out to the Twitter user who goes by Bitter Proffit from Nashville, Tennessee and works as a high school teacher.
When asked to poorly explain what he does for a living, @bitterproffit answered “I silently judge 18-year-olds for 5 hours a day, then I review their work and judge them again, but this time on a graded scale. I then make lists of my judgements of them. Plus, I get to discuss economics and US government all day.”
The response got 2.4k likes with many people guessing what his profession was. The teacher told us that part of his response was an inside joke with his students, “specifically former students who follow me on Twitter, about judging their work. They caught the reference.”
#4
Paige Garberding 5 years ago
My favorite teacher taught 7th grade English. Thank you for teaching.
#5
Leonel Roque 5 years ago
Love no live!! And well actually I lived this one too!! Haven’t we all some even twice!!
#6
earringnut 5 years ago
Like the old joke goes: "The problem with computers is they do exactly what you tell them to do."
When asked why so many people find the question irritating, @bitterproffit said that he, on the contrary, finds it an interesting conversation starter. “Although I’ve had jobs that were harder to explain than my current one,” he added.“
The best part of my job is the relationships I develop with my students. Senior year in high school is such a pivotal year in their lives and I feel privileged that they allow me to share and be a part of their experiences in their successes and their setbacks,” the teacher said.
He also concluded that being a high school teacher is simply “the best job on the planet for me,” and we couldn’t be happier to see the man happy in his shoes!
#7
#8
sorlag110 5 years ago
That makes more sense, I was thinking archaeologist.
Load More Replies...
#9
Bardhi's Dad 5 years ago
Not hard to find out, especially if you see that Rosanna Arquette wrote that
Vic 5 years ago
Ironically in hindi Rosanna means 'everyday' (actually it's rozana, but pretty close)
Load More Replies...
Quazmodic 5 years ago
... to "pretend" to be someone else. It's not "real". Now off you go to your therapy session. That's a good girl.
autism genius 5 years ago
The point is too POORLY explain what your job is. And you don't have too be so mean.
Load More Replies... #10
Christian Bradshaw 5 years ago
A job like that really shouldn't be so difficult. Thanks for what you do!
Leonel Roque 5 years ago
Yeah I bet it does until they get sick and then they want to go to the hospital!!
REVEL FROST 5 years ago
forgive me but what job is this? im tiered and will probably figure this out on my own tomorrow but still...
#11
Tinley's Aunt 5 years ago
We need Whose Line back on to make the pain of 2020 go away. Love Colin and the guys!
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
From "who's line is it anyway " which was as you suggest, an improv tv show, first made in britain then in america with drew carey as host
Load More Replies...
Joanne Haywood 5 years ago
Crikey, where have you been hiding all this time? We don’t see Colin any more on U.K. TV.
Lauren Caswell 5 years ago
It's a shame he's not on tv! I think he's a Canadian?
Load More Replies... 
#12
#13
Wolfstar 5 years ago
Haha same, but I don't play a 'tube' I do cello. Took me a long time.
Load More Replies...
#14
Wendillon 5 years ago
Not necessarily. They might be preventing language death yes, but that's not the reason they're doing it.
Load More Replies...
Joshua Seaman 5 years ago
The numbers match for Navajo. ~160,000 speakers.
Load More Replies... 
eimipet 5 years ago (edited)
Ouch... but mostly fair. We made a very confusing language for ourselves ;)
Load More Replies...
A B C 5 years ago
As a Non-American, can someone explain to me what language they're talking about?
Jocelyn Allard 5 years ago
Nope. According to their twitter it's "Khmer" language (Cambodia).
Load More Replies... Joshua Seaman 5 years ago
You did the math wrong; it's a percentage so divide by 100 more. It's ~160,000.
Load More Replies... #15
Robin DJW 5 years ago
If only! So many providers are pitifully reluctant to say "I don't know." The ones that do should be held in highest regard.
Emma Perkins 5 years ago
I agree!! So many problems get overlooked or downplayed because a doctor can't admit they don't know something
Load More Replies...
beautiful plumage 5 years ago
"well, hello dr. stevenson.... hey, wait a minute! who the heck are you? how did you get in here? security!!!"
#16
LittleMissLotus 5 years ago
Are they a race studies professor? A sociology professor? A history professor?
Just another bot 5 years ago
Same here, I only realised in my early twenties that history taught in school is not always the historical truth. It came as a shock then that the same past can be taught in completely different versions in neighbouring countries (EU), leading to people having understandably different opinions and attitudes. The solution is to read from different sources...
Melissa Powell 5 years ago
Pretty much have realized that everything I learned in US History (many many years ago) was pure horseshit. And that is just so sad that the writers could not or were not allowed to tell the truth. Being a white American is good, I am one, other skin colors have not fared well in this country and some are Native to the US and we don't honor their history.
Load More Replies... LOGAN HUNTER 5 years ago
Soo true we think we are good and then you look at the trail of tears, oh and my school is called the McIntosh chiefs so there’s that
Robin DJW 5 years ago
My high school's mascot was a Rebel (specifically a soldier in the Confederate army), complete with confederate flag. The mascot was chosen by the student body when the school was formed in 1967. Some students were horrified and protested loudly, but were overruled by a large majority. Fortunately, the choice was not allowed to stand. At some point they became the Raiders.
Load More Replies...
Lisa Chambers 5 years ago
The things that are kept from us as we go through school in our younger years is ridiculous! If they taught it the way we learn it once we become adults, the bs we stumble over would be resolved and behind us by age 21. Maybe.
#17
#18
Adrián Kovács 5 years ago
I do the same with dogs! Catch 'em on the streets or whatever, put them in cages, harassing them with a camera and pour the pictures on social media until some people finally take 'em away.
Leonel Roque 5 years ago
I wish I had all the money in the world to adopt all the animals that have bin at shelters the longest and won’t be adopted so I could care for all of them or to fly them wherever someone would be willing to take them!!
#19
Joshua Seaman 5 years ago (edited)
Likely an MMA trainer. Boxing doesn't have metal enclosures; MMA does. Also, boxing shorts are long; not underwear. MMA fighters literally wear underwear.
Steve Cruz 5 years ago
Robin Williams described boxing as possibly the gayest sport: two men stripped to the waiste, wearing satin shorts and leather gloves, dance around. The winner gets a BELT!
#20
postboredom 5 years ago
My job is to be judged by him and make my parents pay him for it. Then forget what was taught and do it all over again next year till i get a promotion.
Leonel Roque 5 years ago
I think teachers should be a much higher paid career!! I mean if you think about it they literally help mold young kids into professionals!! Every single person is influenced by teachers and is touched by them for at least 12 of their most formative years!!
#21
Harold Summer 5 years ago
A big thanks to career counselors. They're correct. A lot of wannabe physicians aren't suited for the responsibility and will be miserable at best, dangerous at worst.
Melinda Owens 5 years ago
Uh, I think he's saying he's something like an organic chemistry professor who fails lots of premeds. And no, I don't think that's welcome.
#22
Nadine Bamberger 5 years ago
John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor, and activist from Wake Forest, North Carolina.
#23
Bardhi's Dad 5 years ago (edited)
I do the same, but not constantly. I'm a bit lazy lately, used to do it more in the past. Btw, my native language's alphabet has 36 letters
#24
Robin DJW 5 years ago
I was taught in my Macroeconomics course that the individual rarely acts in the interest of the aggregate. The 2020 election is anomalous in that the interests of the individual and the aggregate are the same interests: health, security, stability, equity, employment and did I mention health? You will be better off -- the country will be better off -- if we vote for the candidates who hold that the interests of the society are vastly more important than their individual selves.
Karen Scheltema 5 years ago
It's hard to do in the Bible Belt when elections are usually a single issue vote on abortion rather than looking at the totality of issues. I grew up in Houston and went to a very conservative university in Texas, so my post is not an outsider's perspective. I went to grad school in Minnesota and I've never looked back.
Pine 5 years ago
try not to say words like that as they were and still are used to degrade women who are confident or are in higher positions
Load More Replies... Truth Monster 5 years ago
That was kind of ableist. Deaf people can be communicated with, y'know.
Load More Replies... #25
#26
IwiLLsTeaLyOuRsoUl 5 years ago
Ah! I have the same name as you. It's not in my username, but my real name is Eunice. I haven't met many people with the same name :)
Load More Replies...
Aimee Simmons 5 years ago
Socialist Opera Singer? Why would you choose Socialist? That's a terrible plan. Hasn't worked in any instance it was implemented, no matter how much it would be so nice for it to do so. Human nature is a beast that is greedy and always ravenous. There are good and bad in every bunch, and the bad can only be tempered, and never expunged completely because that is murder and just wrong. Sigh. I like the Opera Singer part though. That part is a wonderful choice.
#27
All Lives Matter 5 years ago
I think so. Her profile picture is a very good shot. Probably with a proper camera. So I'm guessing photographer? Hopefully lol
Load More Replies... 
#28
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
Now I understand why I always ended up playing cards in stead of working on the spreadsheet.
Annemarie Mattheyse 5 years ago
Product manager! One of the hardest jobs in the tech industry.
Rick Seiden 5 years ago
I'm often one of the people who you hand that information to, or someone who helps you collect that information. It is often very painful, as they really don't know what they want, or what they want is not a good idea. They insist that's what they want despite being told it's a bad idea, then, as you say, complain because it turned out to be a bad idea.
Dércio Gaspar 5 years ago (edited)
Try asking what is the problem that they have, instead of asking people what they want their computer to do. People usually have problems they don't know the solution for, or think they know the solution.
#29
#30
#31
#32
Samantha Lomb 5 years ago
Her handle says Genealogist. She could be digging through records
Load More Replies... 
#33
#34
#35
#37
Christian Bradshaw 5 years ago
I almost wanted to say prostitute until I saw the profile picture
#38
#39
Wendillon 5 years ago
eh..I'd vote for her. At this point just let anyone have a try.
Load More Replies...
#40
#41
#42
#43
#44
Flare 5 years ago
this is the terminology for the expert who predicts a major disaster, is ignored, and then the disaster happens.
Load More Replies... #45
Emilingo 5 years ago
technically no--probably a counselor or therapist. The differences are so stupid.
Load More Replies... #46
#47
#48
#50
#51
#54
#55
#56
#57
#59
#60
#61
#62
#63
#64
#66
#67
#68
#74
#77
#78
#79
#80
#81
#82
#85
#86
#90
#92
#93
#94
Jennifer Crompton 5 years ago (edited)
Quabbity assuance for a mid range paper supply company?
#95
#97
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Torchicachu 5 years ago
I dig up dead things and put them in a building for people to stare at
Remi Flynne 5 years ago
I used to use emotional blackmail to extort money from people and give them nothing in return. These people are always very grateful for everything we do.
Ben Smith 5 years ago
I pay people when they get into car accidents or their house burns down.
All Lives Matter 5 years ago
I sit at a table staring at a blank screen and am told things i dont really want or need to know. I dont get paid. XD
Sardonic Scribe 5 years ago
I rearrange the alphabet in a way that makes you never want to listen to sporadic music intervals again.
Alex T 5 years ago (edited)
i work at a government funded building, I have over 30 bosses and a couple hundred co-workers. We never stay in the same place for more than 50 minutes, we really like to complain about our jobs, we can be very talkative amongst each other, and we're constantly judged on our time management and focus skills. Both of which I have none. Sometimes, a group of workers and a boss will host events for the rest of the workers to attend, while taking another worker they are fond of to accompany them if they are lucky. When we do go home, we have more work to do, and usually end up with three hours of sleep before going back to the building. I don't get paid, but the bosses do.
Daria B 5 years ago
I spend my days coming up with creative solutions to prevent a game from changing its rating for the market of Italian speaking audiences.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
I relay facts to people who prefer falsehood even if it costs them their lives or the life of a loved one, and then relay facts to the people who'd save those lives if they were allowed about the people who want nothing to do with being saved if it involves accepting facts.
Remi Flynne 5 years ago
🤔 Well, this one has me stumped! More clues needed.
Load More Replies...
Torchicachu 5 years ago
I dig up dead things and put them in a building for people to stare at
Remi Flynne 5 years ago
I used to use emotional blackmail to extort money from people and give them nothing in return. These people are always very grateful for everything we do.
Ben Smith 5 years ago
I pay people when they get into car accidents or their house burns down.
All Lives Matter 5 years ago
I sit at a table staring at a blank screen and am told things i dont really want or need to know. I dont get paid. XD
Sardonic Scribe 5 years ago
I rearrange the alphabet in a way that makes you never want to listen to sporadic music intervals again.
Alex T 5 years ago (edited)
i work at a government funded building, I have over 30 bosses and a couple hundred co-workers. We never stay in the same place for more than 50 minutes, we really like to complain about our jobs, we can be very talkative amongst each other, and we're constantly judged on our time management and focus skills. Both of which I have none. Sometimes, a group of workers and a boss will host events for the rest of the workers to attend, while taking another worker they are fond of to accompany them if they are lucky. When we do go home, we have more work to do, and usually end up with three hours of sleep before going back to the building. I don't get paid, but the bosses do.
Daria B 5 years ago
I spend my days coming up with creative solutions to prevent a game from changing its rating for the market of Italian speaking audiences.
Leo Domitrix 5 years ago
I relay facts to people who prefer falsehood even if it costs them their lives or the life of a loved one, and then relay facts to the people who'd save those lives if they were allowed about the people who want nothing to do with being saved if it involves accepting facts.
Remi Flynne 5 years ago
🤔 Well, this one has me stumped! More clues needed.
Load More Replies... You May Like 30 Times People Asked Siri Stupid Questions And Got The Stupid Answers They Deserved 45 Posts That Will Make You Say “Wait… What?”, And Then Laugh Out Loud
Taura Šitkauskaitė
Mariia Tkachenko
Related on Bored Panda
