I'm retired, not unemployed

[easysurfer]

Anyone else have this happen to you?

I was chatting with a neighbor. First the topic was about his health (he was using an oxygen tank to help breath). Then during the conversation he asks me "So, are you still out of a job?" This was about the third time he has asked me this on different occassions. I politely tell him, I'm not out of a job, but I'm retired. It's just how the mind works in chit-chat. Just "chewing the fat" as they say. I'm sure when I see him bump into him again sometime, he'll ask "So, are you still out of a job?" LOL

 

[Midpack]

You are out of a job --- voluntarily.

Two of our neighbors didn't know what to make of me being home a lot all of a sudden. They probably assumed I'd lost my job and were afraid to ask, but once I told them I retired, they've been all smiles. They want to know how they can retire early. I tell them there are advantages and disadvantages in working and in being retired (there are IMO)...

 

[bld999]

Many people need to see the world in a particular way in order to keep their view of self [ not have it challenged by other information]. That makes them poor listeners. I think we all do some of it. Maybe the guy got flushed out of a job because of his health and wants to put others in the same category [wishing to work, but having no control or opportunity for it] so he can feel better.

 

[jclarksnakes]

Turn off the old farts oxygen and tell him he has to say "easysurfer is a cool RETIRED dude" ten times before you will turn it back on.

Okay, taking this more seriously I think bld999 has it right. Verbal communication is filtered through the experiences and bias of the listener.

 

[MasterBlaster]

just tell him...

Yup, still out of work. Can you help me out with some of your cash ?

This method is guaranteed to get his questions to stop.

 

[easysurfer]

To be fair, I do the same kind of chit-chat but not listening too.

Kind of like when you see an old friend, and chat "so, your son/daughter is in high school now?". The I won't see them again for years. Next time, I'd catch myself going "So, your son/daugher out of grade school?" then realize..oops..we had this conversation before.