Not "Just" a Waitress (but so what if I were)

I'm always flattered when guests in the restaurant think I'm still a student.  Especially if they're younger than 90, when anyone under 45 still appears to be in the flower of their youth.  Awhile ago, I decided to just answer the questions without a timeline in my response, perchance giving the impression that I've only just graduated, because the discussion begins to get a little strained.  It usually goes something like this:

Guest (G): So, are you a student around here?
Lisa (L): I was, but I've graduated now.
G: Great!  What's your degree?
L: I have an English degree.
G: Wow, that's really great (clearly this person graduated in something useful, or they'd never say that)!  And now?
L: Sweeps hands around to indicated restaurant surrounding her.
G: Well, yeah, but really, what now?

It's at this point that I start to flounder for something to say.  Should I defend my right to be "just" a waitress if I want to?  Discuss how pointless it is to get an English degree if you aren't going to go on to teach?  Tell him about my secret double life as a blogger?  Tell him I'm really a writer? artist? 

L: Well, I really want to open a restaurant some day.

Gets me off the hook every time.

Of related interest: Why I am a Waitress.

Comments

[Troy]

Wow, we have almost the EXACT same stories. English degree. Tried teaching. Discovered it wasn't for me. Drifted for a while. Waited tables. Loved it. Quit, looking for a "better position". Found one, where I am now. Wishing I had the courage to chuck it all and go back to the Columbus Fish Market, where I left. (Honestly, that inclination has died somewhat now that Ruth's Chris has purchased them)

Anyway, just thought I would finally speak up and tell you how much I love the blog!

[Charcuterista]

This hits so close to home - I'm a waitress, with a bachelor's in English: Writing, in a college town - if I had a dollar for every time I've been asked if I'm a student...sometimes I laugh off my degree as impractical, sometimes I simply say "no I'm not a student," sometimes I want to scream...

[Deborah Dowd]

If you are happy and you are not asking others to pay your bills, you should never have to justify what you do to anyone. Reminds me when I had 4 young children and people used to come up to me and ask me if I had heard of birth control! Apparently education does not necessarily bring manners!

[Dave]

Well, you know what I do for a living. Impressive huh?

I've dodged those 4 words my whole life. When asked "what do you do?" I've scrambled so many times. I've used: I don't like to talk about it - they think I'm a hitman, I'm between jobs - they feel awkward, I engage in days of soul sucking institutionalization - they stare, ... Haven't found a good answer yet.

Funny thing is, lately I like what I do, I'm just afraid to tell anyone for fear of acceptance.

After years of crafting possible responses, I'm starting to not care as much as I used to. One of the perks of middle age.

[Julana]

Have you thought about joining a writing group?