How to Explain...
Out of context: Reply #10
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- Chip_Duggit0
I had to deal with this a lot in college. I learned early on that there were 2 categories that people fell into: those who need to know, and those who don't. For the ones that need to know, I explained that I was getting a BFA in Electronic Intermedia (yes it says that on the degree itself) which I simply explained was making art with computers, video and mechanical sculpture. Usually that would either shut them up, or begin some sort of intellectual conversation.
For the other group, I would make up stuff. The neat thing was I went to a university that had a really well regarded agricultural college. This meant that when I was out at a bar I could tell girls that I was studying to be a Veterinarian, which would instantly gain me points. Or I would tell drunken ugly girls that I was studying either Equine or Bovine Science and begin to tell stories about sticking my hand up a horse or cow's ass to deliver a calf, and then watch them squirm.
After I got my masters in digital imaging, the plot thickened, because now I am a pretty damn good photographer on top of all of these things, which means that I get asked to do all sorts of dumb crap. When people have a baby, I get called to take 'nice photos' of it, or design the announcements and all that crap. It never ends. Most of us can do one or more things that many people don't understand, but come in contact with every day, which means that they inevitably will ask you to do something for free as a 'favor' which will nearly always end in disaster.
I think the bottom line here is to just lie about what you do to most people. Tell them you do something either they can a) understand easily b) something they will never understand (i.e. Astro Biologist) or finally c) tell them something that is so boring that they won't ask again (street sweeper driver). If all else fails, tell them your a Golf Pro.