> I'm dating at the moment and find it difficult to succinctly describe my occupation in a way that does not kill the conversation dead As a general rule, don'

> I'm dating at the moment and find it difficult to succinctly describe my occupation in a way that does not kill the conversation dead As a general rule, don't answer questions like that straight. They're bound to kill the conversation, you're not at a job interview. Jewel thief ("casing the joint" if it fits), duck cleaner (watch dirty jobs), art forger ("-- Really?! Can you draw something for me? -- No, that would be original art.")... will all go over much better than whatever your real occupation is. It's the same with age ("64, hanging in there! Just 8 more months to retirement. Great genes though, right?"), where you're from, what your hobbies are... The difference between lying and flirting is that the embellishment should be almost obvious.