When I started dating Ben, I heard him on the phone telling his friend that I was a software engineer. When I met my friend Karen I told her that I was a hardware consultant, and she said, "Really?! I work for IBM!" When Aliya was in preschool, she told her class that she wanted to be a "hard work insultant" when she grew up, like her mom. I'm not even sure my mother knows what I do for a living, but I haven't asked if I can move back in with her, so she's ok with whatever I'm doing to pay the mortgage.
Since I started my other blog (here it is), more of my friends and family are starting to understand what I do. And at this point in my life, I don't have as great a need for people to understand the specifics anyway. If I really don't feel like explaining it and I know I'll never see the person again, I might even make something up. If a potential customer (architect, facility manager, hardware supplier, or security consultant) asks me what I do, I just have to say that I'm a door hardware consultant and they get it. Easy.
Anyway, since I'm asked about my job less often, and care less whether people understand, today's conversation with my favorite Egyptian bagel-guy caught me by surprise:
EBG: What do you do?
Me: I sell locks.
EBG: Really? What brand?
Me: Schlage. (We have a bunch of other brands but I was being lazy.)
EBG: The best brand is Acme.
Me: Hmm...I've never heard of it (so it obviously sucks).
EBG: Oh yeah, this is the best, right here (gesturing at something I can't see).
Me: Where? (trying to see the fabulous Acme lock he likes so much)
EBG: Right here in the case. This is the best lox there is. But if I like yours better, I'll start buying it from you.
:-)
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