Chemistry as a stumbling block
Aug 24th 2008Wallabynerd alert
Not professionally, but socially.
“What do you do?” “Oh, I’m just starting as a professor at Hobart U.” “Oh, that’s wonderful! Are you excited about classes starting tomorrow?” “Yes, very much.” “And what is it that you teach?” “Chemistry.” “Oh… I never took that.”
Or, “Oh… I hated that class.”
Or, “Oh… you must be really smart.” Which sounds like a nice thing to say, and I’ve always figured they mean well. And I admit that I wouldn’t have a whole lot of small talk for someone who does something I don’t know much about, or even don’t like. (”I’m an abortionist.” “Oh…”)
“I teach chemistry” is not really the way to get most girls to talk to you either. Except other chemists - not that there’s anything wrong with them.
It’d be amusing to imagine similar kinds of reactions for other professions:
“I drive a big truck.” “Oh… I nearly got run over by a big truck once.”
“I’m a carpenter.” “Oh… I could never do that, I can’t hammer a nail to save my life.”
The only professions that would seem worse to introduce yourself with would be medical - “Oh, can I ask you about this funny mole on the back of my arm after the service?” - and preachers - “Oh, you must be really holy.” Maybe undertakers; that’d be a bit depressing as well.
What would be nice to hear instead? Well, how about “and what is it that you like about that?” or “what kind of chemicals do you work on?” You could even ask, like my uncle once did, “what’s your favorite chemical?”
I’m happy to talk about other stuff besides chemistry, too. I’m not going to look down on you for having had a hard time with chemistry in high school, any more than you’re going to look down on me for not being an electrician. Right?