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I sit in a a beige cubicle at a computer, and I type. Mostly I write computer code. In the afternoon I drink a lot of coffee to keep me from nodding off. Someti
by ohyes 16y ago
I sit in a a beige cubicle at a computer, and I type. Mostly I write computer code. In the afternoon I drink a lot of coffee to keep me from nodding off. Sometimes I talk on the phone or answer e-mails, other times I train people to use the software that we make.
When I am asked at a party, I put more emphasis on what the software that I work on does than what I do at work.
Programmers are literally minded, we often assume that we must actually answer the questions that people ask us. This is not correct. When someone engages you in smalltalk, they are asking you to tell a story. It doesn't even have to be a true story... (although outright lying is probably ill advised.)
Giving a job title or generic description is painfully dull.
- derefr 16y agoWell, the problem here is that there are two types of people you'll make smalltalk with—those who you will eventually form a working relationship with (1%), and those you won't—and the two groups have separate "best solutions," but are hard to differentiate beforehand. You can outright lie to the 99%, if you think that will help—but whatever you tell the 1%, they'll go on believing when you work with them.
- paulbaumgart 16y agoThat's a very good insight. Mentally translating the question into "What problem are you currently trying to solve and why should I care?" can make for much more interesting conversation.