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What Do You Do?

Why do we believe our jobs are the most profound thing about us – and why do we ask people what they do, when there are so many other things we could be talking about?

When we meet someone and ask them what do you do – what are we really hoping to find out about that person? David Baker explores why we ask ‘what do you do?’ and finds out what happens when you decide you won’t start a relationship with a question about work. Why do we believe that our jobs are the most profound thing about us when there are so many other things we could be talking about? What might seem like a simple social convention – a way of breaking the ice – can also reveal a great deal about how much emphasis we place on our jobs as part of our identity.

(Photo: Identity branding. Credit: Shutterstock)

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 Sep 2017 05:32GMT

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Broadcasts

  • Mon 11 Sep 2017 12:32GMT
  • Mon 11 Sep 2017 21:06GMT
  • Tue 12 Sep 2017 01:32GMT
  • Mon 18 Sep 2017 05:32GMT

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