English Vocabulary (Small Talk): Lesson 4-What Do You Do?

What Do You Do?

You are at a party. A man walks towards you. He greets you and inquires about your health. You reply in a polite manner. Finally, he asks you: “What do you do?”

There are many possible ways you can answer this open-ended question. Is he asking about your studies or job? Does he want to know what activities you do every day?

Oftentimes, we hesitate before answering this intimate question knowing that the information we give out will reveal something about our social and economic status.

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you too can become great”. – Mark Twain

So, what do YOU do in that case? What do you say?

  • I work as a secretary in a law firm.
  • I’m a primary school teacher.
  • I run a successful beauty parlour.
  • I’m in my last year of college.
  • I dropped out of school last summer.
  • I don’t know what to do with myself.
  • What do you mean?
  • I play all day.
  • I’m unemployed.
  • What do you want to know?
  • I’m a sportsman.
  • I have no idea.
  • I do so many things.
  • I’m a business woman.
  • I’m a busy man.

There are, indeed, many ways to deal with what can potentially be an embarrassing question.

“When one door is closed, don’t you know that many more are open?” – Bob Marley

Sample Dialogue

You are participating in a regional dancing competition. You meet people from all walks of life. While you are waiting for your turn, you talk with the person who is standing next to you.

You: Hi, my name is Fala. What’s your name?

Competitor: I’m Jake. Nice to meet you.

You: Nice to meet you. Is this your first time here?

Competitor: Yes, it is. I’ve always wanted to do this though.

You: Me too. It’s a great competition and it actually opens many career doors.

Competitor: Yes, it does. What do you do? Do you work?

You: Ha, ha, ha. No, I don’t. I would love to though. I’m in my final year of college. I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Competitor: Oh, really? It must be interesting.

You: It is. I learn many things. And you? Are you a student too?

Competitor: Yes, I’m in law school. I would like to work as a company lawyer in the future.

You: That’s great. You must be a focused person. I’ve heard that law school is difficult.

Competitor: It is but not more difficult than other studies. There are just many things to study, so you need to be consistent and disciplined.

You: I understand.

Your Turn: Can you create a similar dialogue? Vary the vocabulary and pay attention to grammar.

Sample Dialogue

You go to a sports stadium to watch a football match. You sit next to a woman. You both support the same team. You are curious and you want to know more about her.

You: You seem like an enthusiastic person. What do you do?

Woman: Thank you, that’s very kind of you. Well, I’m a secondary school teacher. I teach Maths.

You: Really? You must be passionate about your job.

Woman: I am. I can’t imagine doing anything else. What about you?

You: I’m a salesperson. I sell mobile phones and other electronic gadgets to technology lovers. It’s a very rewarding job. I meet different kinds of people and our products keep on evolving. I’m always excited like a kid when there is a new phone or a cooking appliance.

Woman: That sounds interesting! I also love my job because you meet all sorts of kids. Most of my students want to learn and they do it really well. I believe that teaching should be enjoyable. I don’t focus on giving punishments and admonishing noisemakers or slackers.

You: Yes, that’s the right approach. The classroom shouldn’t be a battleground.

Your Turn: Can you imagine a similar dialogue? Be as creative as possible.

Further Exploration:

Download PDF Files

Read: