Anyone lie about their job while on a cruise?
 

I know of a frequent cruiser who tells his dining companions (and anyone else who asks) that he is a “diamond cutter.” In reality this person mows the grass on a baseball field.

Does anyone else fib/misstate their occupation while on a cruise?

I was on a cruise last year.At our table was a "retired" couple , in their words.There were two girls mid-twenties who gushed all week about how their lives as Travel Agents were "simply divine".At breakfast the last morning, the two were absent.The retired couple laughed as they mused that perhaps the next cruise the 2 would "invent" some other carreer so it wouldn't make the rest of the table feel bad about the $3K they shelled out for the cruise and the TA's got it for a song.Good suggestion!!

I am thirty and retired and tired of explaining. So I told the few people that I hung out with that I was a student. I like hearing about everyone's careers and couldn't care less if they are fibbing as long as it is an interesting/entertainng lie. The diamond cutter thing is too funny.

Hi, Lorrieihere, care to share. I would love to be 41 and retired. Anyway, hubby and I are both MD's and we do not tell the truth as we then get regaled with everyones medical problems and have to spot diagnose and treat. Last 2 cruises we opted for table for 4 , just for us. People seem to forget that we take holidays to take a break from our work.

I have been known to make up interesting careers but that was when I was quite a bit younger.

Just out of curiosity Dock, why do you think others take vacations, if not to get away from their work? MD's are not the only ones who are asked questions about their professions. Sometimes people are trying to be polite by asking what other people do. Some just want free advice, whatever the profession their table mates enjoy.

I understand completely Dock:)

I think the diamond cutter should fess uo.

First of all - he's perfectly correct- that's what he does.

Second - I bet he has much more interesting stories concerning baseball players than someone who sits around playing with peices of carbon all day.

Its hard to imagine so many people being enthralled with an MD(s) at their table.

I suppose it may be difficult to understand unless you are in that situation, but two cruises ago, we had an M.D. at our table and others at the table asked her questions seeking free diagnosis.

Also, as a lawyer, I am always hesitant to disclose my profession - not out of shame, but because I too am often required to spend a lot of time giving legal advice. Of course, it is all free, which does not affect the malpractice requirements.

Regardless of profession, I understand that some people do not want to let everyone at their tabel know what they do - for whatever reason.

I am enjoying hearing the above stories and I welcome more experiences.

I always tell people at my table that I'm a gynecologist. Of course, I get a kick from underneath the table right into my shins. ((a)) ((b))

Actually we twice have had MD's at our table. No such experience. Were there a few ?'s asked or was it a constant torrent? If its a few then it could be just an attempt at polite conversation. If alot and dominates the conversation then thats another matter.

Years ago I worked at a bank. We had a machine that put loose coins into rolls, then someone had to manually put those rolls of coins into boxes. We called this activity "boxing coins." They guy who did this job used to tell people outside the bank that he was a professional boxer.

My husband and I absolutely love an episode of Mad About You, where Helen Hunt and her husband took a trip to a resort in the Caribbean. They made up incredible stories, something different to each of the other guests they met: they were circus performers; they were CIA agents, etc. It all finally came unglued and they were caught in their lies. Very funny in the process, however.

We got such a kick out of it, we decided we would try that on one of our trips, but so far we haven't carried out the big bamboozle. Maybe someday.

HA, this is too funny. I recently just had this discussion. It's funny everyone I've ever met on a cruise has had elaborate professions. I have never met a plumber, janitor, secretary or waitress. I am in medical insurance, but due to some people's feelings on this, I just say I work in the Insurance field. My husband is a computer analyst and after being hounded by computer questions, he no longer elaborates on that either. Next cruise our table will be delighted with our newly made up professions... Wouldn't you love to see the look on these snooty people's faces when I tell them I'm a hooker...!!!

I've learned not to lie but to use
another descriptive but more generic term as people don't ususally
"get it".

Budman, assume you're closed this
Saturday?

Deny - Well, I AM a hooker and proud of it! I can't believe it took me so long to discover hooking. My life is now complete.My aunt is 82 and has been hooking for 60 years. She taught me everything I know. In fact, my grandmother taught her so I guess you could say it runs in the family.

I must sadly confess.. it is not my job...just a hobby. Once I started I was easily hooked on rug hooking!

Sorry, I could not resist!

It is so funny to read this, just the other day I was telling DH during a shopping trip "you know, when you think about it, no one knows you on these trips. If you're forced to share a table and socialize with people you don't even know, what's to say you can't have fun and just make up a completely different life...My name is Tansy, I was born in Calcutta, but grew up in Dallas (to explain the accent)and I am a Sex Therapist to the Stars"

But DH said, "No way. You know with our luck, two weeks later I'd see one of our tablemates again when I was suddeny introduced to 'our new Vice President'"

And he is so right about that one...

And Thx about the heads up re: Computer professionals being asked computer questions. And I thought extended family members only did that ;-)

This is hysterical!!! I often lie about my profession while out at a bar. I'm recently engaged, getting married next year so things have changed.

I have lied in one of two ways:

1) I would find on a few occasions if a man hits on me and Im not interested. Sometimes when you kindly tell them so, they are more pushy. My tactic to make them run was to mention that I'm not employed. They'd ask what do you do? I'd reply "Shop a lot, relax, get my hair done. My dad lets me use his card all the time, its great", then I follow with "what do you do, we should get together?"

They run! Most of the time =)

2) I get men who walk up to me saying that they live in this big apartment in Manhattan WHICH they just purchased last month. They go on about money and success trying to impress me. Then I will tell them what i do for a living and talk about some of my past/present/future ventures.

Then they run.... haha
Natalie

Hey katybird,,,good one!! You had me going! Brany, the matre d' actually asked my husband to come to his cabin to see what was wrong with his laptop.. Maybe we could have gotten some free wine!! But that lesson was learned. We really try to discourage work talk and will try to change the subject of careers. Because really, who gives a rats behind what these people do. We are all there just to have FUN!!!

Beachboi, fyi, travel agents don't travel for a song much anymore! There is a space available deal on many cruise lines but it is such a hassle to get (last minute) that it's not worth it. I have been in the business about 14 years and in 17 cruise never done the "stand by". When I was an "agent" I once went at the expense of the agency , but all the other times basically looked for a good deal and back out the commission. What I am getting to is the "travel agents" did not want to reveal their identity for the fact everyone thinks they are traveling free when they aren't and they don't want to "work" answering questions, etc! Once when I was on an 8 hour charter layover in Cancun a group of drunk obnoxious passengers found out I was in the travel industry. They started yelling at me that I should be able to get them another plane to get them home!!! I started keeping my mouth shut after that about my occupation!

You know, on that note I'm reminded of something. One time I was trapped at an airport myself and a group of us started chatting to pass the time. I made the mistake of mentioning that I was a recruiter (just thankful the DH wasn't with me since he's the one in IT and half of them had laptops ;) ).

I have to admit that those hours went by swiftly as I fielded resume and "connections" questions. I didn't mind so much, but it was exhausting. Then again, I've never felt so popular in my life ;)

I am glad to hear that some MD's are courageous enough to leave their jobs behind on the cruises. On one cruise, one of the passengers went on and on and on about his medical history and continually told all of his fellow tablemates that they were making unhealthy choices at dinner - spoiling the experience. Each night, more of his tablemates asked to be moved to another table to the point where this obnoxious guy was by himself at the end of the cruise.

I did tell a lady I was a proctologist after she insisted on knowing what I did for a living.

We had a strange duck at our table once. He was quirky and crabby at the same time. The funny thing was his luggage had been lost and the ship gave him a tux to wear which, combined with his Nikes, well you get the picture. :-)

Worldfamous, it's a good thing she didn't come to you later with a medical problem for you to look at.... :&

Hmm,

What would be the most boring profession?

Though answering proctologist is good way to end a conversation.

Maybe I'll become an actuary. But then, people might start complaining I cause an increase in insurance rates.

What if the doctors on vacation just said they were 'scientists'

We find the most relaxing thing to do is live in the 'here and now' when we're on a cruise. We encourage our travel partners and table mates to do the same. We are on vacation and really don't want to be reconnecting with thoughts of work or home until we have to. It's interesting how hard it is for people to give it up and chill out. A friend of ours finally told someone that he was a dry cleaner just to get the guy to stop asking. It worked and no other questions were asked....I still want to know how dry cleaning works but obviously he couldn't tell me!

This is a good question---and the answers run the gamut from funny to thought-provoking. We seem to have the worst of both worlds: when my husband tells people he is a surgeon, they ask him about a friend's nephew's girlfriend's operation. Or worse, their own!

And then when I tell them I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, you wouldn't believe the rolled eyes and (from that point on) assumptions that I am a stupid, fearful, fundamentalist Christian who doesn't have enough to do!

People assume way too much, and that's why we avoid getting into discussions about our occupations whist on holiday. I would love to learn how to do the rug thing, though, so I could legitimately call myself a "hooker." What an absolute scream!

After telling people I was from NYC, (now retired & living in FL) that I was a Sheep Herder. Since I was born and lived all my working life in NY and it's suburbs and an obvious NY type individual, saying this with a totally straight face,causes silence at the table and I never choose to clarify it unless someone wants to talk further about it.