I never ask people what they do for a living. It's not out of disinterest in the person, it's out of disinterest in occupational habits.
Discussion
100% "What do you do?" is a low form of communication.
What are you passionate about? Is more interesting.
I don't always want to know that either 😂 but you're right, it's a much better question. Any question to get out of chit chat works for me. Even silence. I don't mind being silent together for the effort of getting to know each other.
Well put.
Small talk is a side effect of anxiety imo, but there's also something beautiful about just hearing someone voice and cadence. A lot can be picked up from that regardless of the content.