Going on vacation soon. How to answer questions “what do you do for a living”?

I’m on social security benefits and I’m going on vacation this December to India. You always get “what do you do for a living” from fellow travelers and this makes me anxious because I’ve never had a job. I have been involuntary hospitalised 11 times since I was 24 (now 32] so have no experience with work but I’m very well versed in mental health care . Can I ask what would you in do in my position? Make up a job such as work as a support worker in mental health care or be honest and say you have SZ/SZA and have been unwell in the past and be open and proud of your illness considering without the illness and the social security benefits you would never of afforded such a vacation, potentially making the person jealous and not engage with you further, or possibly scares off you? What would you do?

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I would be honest. I also wouldn’t want people talking to me though so in the end if it scares them off or whatever, I’m good.

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You can say I’m not currently working … But looking … Perhaps ?

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Be honest and say you do not work, you don’t need to give up details. Sz is your business, only yours

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A simple, “I’m not working right now,” Usually stops people from asking more and at the same time is honest and direct. If they repeat or ask what you used to do, just repeat “I’m not working right now.”

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I know I’m the same but I’m very paranoid that I come across as a weirdo or socially awkward then I overanalyse everything what I say or what eye contact I make and this makes me so anxious, the next meeting I have with the person I can’t stop thinking what a weirdo they think I am.

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JerryBoyle — I know I’m the same but I’m very paranoid that I come across as a weirdo or socially awkward then I overanalyse everything what I say or what eye contact I make and this makes me so anxious, the next meeting I have with the person I can’t stop thinking what a weirdo they think I am.

Maybe you can mention to them you are well versed in mental health care?

I know it might make you look bad, but that is it. You are still who you are.

Just say,

I used to work in the health care field, but I am currently in between jobs. If they inquire further, just say you did data input of health records.

If they persist with more questions, tell them you’re actually a serial killer by trade, and you particularly like murdering nosy people.

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^

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think my above post is the funniest advice I’ve ever offered up on this forum to another poster. :rofl:

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Yeah I thought it was good advice! Like @rogueone says - love your work!

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You could say…i have done some cooking, cleaning…etc…anything you have done in your life.

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do you do anything creative? I don’t like to lie, but prefer not to be completely honest and open either, as people get uncomfortable or act afraid, in turn making me uncomfortable. I usually tell people i’m an artist, or a writer. something i do, just not for a living. I find it helps, if it’s part truth.

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In a way you may not be lying if you say you are a mental health worker cause your precense on this forum might help people and what you write might even save a life…

I really dislike lying and have not done so many times in my life.

I have also had a problem with this question.

I once said I am a retired care worker.
I have certificate in aged care and tried working but just can’t .
I really wanted to but my symptoms can get unbearable specially social support .
Bääääää

I think I say I am on the pension.

I think people may get jealous of me too because I have my holy neigh horse but she was given to me and was dying .

I do not smoke nor drink alcohol and don’t go to conserts or out to fancy restaurants…

How you spend your money cause often people do not say anything to someone who is destructive and spends their money on alcohol drugs etc

But if someone spends the same amount of money on their pet and or travel etc
It’s like that is not ok by them so they want you to be destructive…?

I traveled interstate recently and it went well.
I traveled to see family I was isolating from because of delusions etc
Now I want to be with them and love and miss them n the increase of my medication could of helped.

I have traveled across the world all by myself psychotic and with out a carer .

It was aweful and the air hostesses n people would not help me but looked down at me with disgust and I was freezing and asked to lend a blanket and they said no.

I was picked up from the airport but traveling for two days or so was not enjoyable but really awful then.
I suffered.

Maybe planning for the holiday can help and making a care travel plan in what you can do if different scenarios .
Like send text or email from airport or be a accompanied traveler where a person escorts you to your gate and helps you.

If you’re able to hide your disease, then hide it. They’re strangers and you don’t owe them anything.

Just say you’re in school. Hell, tell them you’re a United States senator, how would they know the difference? Talk about Obamacare for two hours or Stormy Danial’s career.

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I just tell people I’m a retired R.N.

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I’d say I was between jobs, or a student

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“Shut up”. That’s pretty easy.

Man, I’m putting out fires all over the place tonight.

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I’d say that I’m a professional paranoid schizophrenic (borrowed that from @77nick77 ).

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