When the first thing out of someone’s mouth is to ask what I do, it creates a first impression that they’re probably going to be a bore if they can’t think of a better way to start a conversation. I’m not saying it can’t come up at some point later in the normal course of conversation, but even then, I might share what I do if/when I feel it’s relevant to the topic at hand and let them do the same if they choose. Asking someone you just met seems a bit gauche to me (meaning the act, not the person). There are so many other ways to start a conversation that don’t come across as sizing someone up based on how they make a living.
**DISCLAIMER: The views expressed herein by the author of this post are general in nature based on his own personal experiences. He does not believe they apply to all people in all cases and admits that sometimes his initial impressions of people have been wrong, shocking as it may be. 