Stupid questions

[pianohauk]

Hi,

One day I sat on the bus. The man next to me is one of those who ALWAYS wants to talk to you. After my very generous mm, oh, yeah, no (I tried to show him I was not in the mood for a chat). Then he asks me: "So, tell me young man, what do you do for a living?". My answer: "I play the piano". "Ok" he says, "but what do you do for a living?".
I mean: How stupid can people become???

Have anyone else of you experienced any common situations?

[whynot]

Yeah, this is definitely a problem for musicians.  It sounds silly, but it helps to refer to yourself by title, "I'm a pianist," rather than description, "I play the piano."  They'll still ask more about it because there are so many ways to be a pianist, but it tends to be a more respectful, and you've conveyed that this is not your hobby.  No guarantee! but this often does the trick.  It also helps to know that people outside the performing fields really don't know what we do-- how we can make a living at it, or just how our lives work at all.  I mean, they're not usually trying to be combative, although it certainly sounds that way sometimes (like in your case, he did come off sounding very rude, but probably--hopefully--was genuinely curious).  Anyway, it helps to develop a spiel for those questions so you don't feel on the spot.  "I'm a pianist."  ("so what do you do, exactly?")  "I mostly play classical music, I give solo recitals, I play chamber music and accompany professional singers..." whatever.  I have my little bits ready to say, otherwise I feel very defensive when a total stranger fires these questions at me.  Good luck!             

[bernhard]

Now, you did not want to have a conversation with this guy inthe first place, right?

So, you should not have told him you played the piano for a living.

This is what you should have told him:

“I earn money by making small conversation with people like yourself on buses. That will be 10 pounds, please.”

If he refused to pay, and started to complain, then you could add:

“Well, I didn’t start the conversation. I was quiet here, minding my own business. You started it, so I assume you were in need of my services, another 10 pounds please. And if you don’t want to pay more do not prolong this conversation.”

 

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[lagin]

So, lagin, what are you doing now that you're done school?  Oh, I'm taking music lessons and am going to be a piano teacher.  Oh, are you going to go to college?  You know, everyone should have a good education.....blah, blah, blah,,,,,,,......................blah, blah.  No, I'm not going to college, I'm going to be a piano teacher.