What do you do?

 What do you do?

તમે શું કરો છો?

आप क्या करते हैं?

¿Qué haces?

あなたは何をしますか？

நீங்கள் என்ன செய்கின்றீர்கள்?

Right from our college (school) days till the retirement age (and beyond), we all ask and encounter this question.

The person asking this question might be a new neighbor, a relative, an acquaintance, someone you met at the bar or gym, or even the staff when you visit a bank!

In reality, the actual question is - What do you do for living?

This 'for living' is assumed. The intent is almost always to know one's financial status, or future prospects.

But does it always have to be this way?

We all do or thrive to do some things with the aim of generating income. This is what brings food on our tables and repays our EMIs. This is what we do for living.

But outside this professional world, most of us also do things that keep us going.

If the hectic work life is bringing chaos in our lives, these activities are bringing much needed sanity. 

For some it is an outing with family, for some it is teaching kids at an NGO, for some it might be a book, and for some it might be a game with friends. We usually don't generate any income out of it nor we do it for that purpose.

It is wrong to categorize these as mere hobbies, as these are as much essential as our professional duties.

What do you do for living - will give only some idea about that person. What do you do to keep going - completes it.

Next time, if you really want to know a person - do ask the second question.

So, What do you do?