I think it’s more a conversation starter. Some people who work might have interest in their job and might get them to open up faster. In Taiwan, it deters people from opening up.

I learned the hard way. The first few times I asked someone in Taiwan I just met, the awkward silence and the ambiguous answers made me stop asking.

Ya, I think American associates their work as their personality. I find this interesting.

I dated a British girl in high school. She microwave broccoli in water. No salt or seasoning. No butter. No nothing.

She took it out, drained the water and told me her dish was done.

That was the last time she made anything for us.

After moving to Taiwan from America, I noticed that asking about someone profession is an American thing. Not once has anyone asked me what I do for work after moving here. Except from Americans.