How do you answer the question "what do you do all day"?

C50

C50

Senior Member
Location
Ohio, USA
For some reason the question bothers me, it always seems to be asked in a condensending tone. It seems to be the first question asked when someone learns I'm retired or that I retired early. I usually say "I keep myself busy" or "anything I like", both true statements. Part of it is I'm a short story type of guy and have no desire to detail my hour by hour, day by day activities or projects I'm involved in so I kind of deflect the question.

Just wondering how others answer the question.
 

Nothing. I do nothing.

Years ago there was a book titled "Where Did You Go?" OUT. What Did You Do? NOTHING." It was a parent humorously talking to his kids, & reliving his childhood. I think. It was a long time ago.
 

I don't get the question often in person, maybe cause i live rural and most here understand there's always something to do. Sometimes online from people who haven't known me long. Response depends on who is asking and their tone. If someone asked in a condescending manner i might say 'Why do you ask? Do you need ideas?'

Often those asking have both boredom and loneliness issues. I don't have those problems. I require a couple of hours of solitude daily to maintain emotional energy and well being. Loneliness a rarity in my life and generally had more to do with my libido during my reproductive years then emotions.

Also, i thoroughly internalized my Dad's opinion that intelligent, creative people have few excuses for boredom. Even in boring classes and/or unproductive staff meetings my mind could usually track what's going on in the room, even take notes, while also thinking about other priorities and how to address them once freed from the situation.
 
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Harry Le Hermit said:
It took awhile, but I realized...Three types of people get two types of answers.
Those that are envious, even a bit angry.
Those that are looking to benefit from my newly achieved free time.
Those that are generally happy for me.
The first two getting the same answer.
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Am curious what that answer is.
Perhaps some variation if one @Disgustedman's responses in comment #5?
 
feywon said:
I don't get the question often in person, maybe cause i live rural and most here understand there's always something to do. Sometimes online from people who haven't known me long. Response deoends on who is asking and their tone. If someone asked in a condescending manner i might say 'Why do you ask? Do you need ideas?'

Often those asking have both boredom and loneliness issues. I don't have those problems. I require a couple of hours of solitude daily to maintain emotional energy and well being. Loneliness a rarity in my life and generally had more to do with my libido during my reproductive years then emotions.

Also, i thoroughly internalized my Dad's opinion that intelligent, creative people have few excuses for boredom. Even in boring classes and/or unproductive staff meetings my mind could usually track what's going on in the room, even take notes, while also thinking about other priorities and how to address them once freed from the situation.
Click to expand...

I agree with your dad! I have always had an active intelligence and rarely find myself bored. I always say I'm one of those people who at times becomes hyper focused on the task at hand but other times my mind will wander away traveling at a million miles per second.
 

How do you answer the question "what do you do all day"?​


It depends on who's asking and how they ask. If it's asked in a condescending tone, depending on my mood, I might say, "Whatever I want." If they're still working, I'll add, "So, how's work?"

Or...

"Let's see, I prepared breakfast, then washed the dishes, paid the bills, went grocery shopping, unloaded the groceries, and put them away; cleaned the kitchen and the kitchen floor; washed all the windows; dusted and vacuumed the entire house; trimmed the hedges; weeded the gardens; prepared and cooked a leg of lamb; washed the dishes and pots and pans; did three loads of laundry; folded the laundry and put it away; and then I sat on my @ss. What did you do all day?"šŸ¤Ø

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What do I do all day..hmm..I just can't imagine why one would ask that question.

Well, I live alone and have to do everything for myself.
A bit of housework each day as I cannot do it all in one day now, prepare and eat my food, take coffee breaks and watch some TV maybe with a doze off at same time, check my email, check in to Seniors Forum, maybe an appointment to keep, visit the library, shopping, laundry......
...heck I could go on and on and on...things happen, things need to get done ...Oh I do get bored too.

Then there are days when I just do nothing but please myself thusly....
TV chips white.jpg
 
Usually, people ask out of polite interest. When I was younger, they might have asked about hobbies. I didn't take offense then, and I don't now.

So my answer is: I listen to science podcasts while doing my exercises. I practise Spanish with my language partners. I host an online trivia game. I read, and I spend a lot of time on the Internet.

Sometimes people ask in a way that implies that I should be doing something different. Then I go on the defensive and try to explain my reasons. I need to learn a different way of responding. Maybe the old "smile and nod," and change the subject.
 
No one has ever asked me that question. If they would I'd most likely answer differently depending on how/why it was asked... if it's "why don't you have time to [whatever they want me to do]... what do you do all day?" it would be different from how I'd answer someone who is just interested and curious about what I do.
 
feywon said:
Also, i thoroughly internalized my Dad's opinion that intelligent, creative people have few excuses for boredom. Even in boring classes and/or unproductive staff meetings my mind could usually track what's going on in the room, even take notes, while also thinking about other priorities and how to address them once freed from the situation.
Click to expand...
Interesting. I remember waiting in a lineup for a movie. I was with 3 other people, the weather was fine, and I was looking forward to the movie. It was a very enjoyable time. But one of the people kept repeating how boring and awful it was to be standing in line.

More recently, I moved to a small town with no scenery, no architecture, and no activities that interest me. My boredom and loneliness were profound. I mentioned this to someone this week. She said she's a creative writer, and everywhere she looks, she sees a story. So she's never bored. (I can't create a story to save my life.)

I consider myself intelligent and creative, but perhaps not in the way you're talking about. I think we all live in different dimensions, sort of.
 
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