How to strike up a conversation with doctors/lawyers/engineers?

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

As an engineering student, I wish you luck striking up and maintaining a decent conversation with an engineer.
"So, how about those angles?"

 

[Helix]

Originally Posted by Rambo

"So, how about those angles?"

To a hot female engineer:

"How about we integrate so I'm the area under those curves?"

 

[Teacher]

ENGLISH TEACHERS:

Good- "What did you do your thesis/dissertation on?"

Bad- "Whoa! I suppose I'd better watch my grammar around you!"

 

[forsbergacct2000]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

Sounds like we're saying the same thing... I just want to know what questions to ask and what questions to avoid sounding pitifully stupid. Sometimes I'll walk into a room full of engineers or doctors, and I'd just like to have one or two opening lines in my back pocket if everyone else is talking shop and I'm lost for words.

Are you really that wooden?

 

[rdawson808]

I still don't understand why you can't just ask some basic questions about the person's profession--after all, you are an outsider. I wouldn't expect you to speak terribly coherently about my profession unless you did it too. If they treat you like dirt for not being an insider then they're just an asshole and there's no sense talking to them anyway.


Here's a whole different strategy: don't talk about work.

Discuss a recent movie you saw.
Ask about their favorite music or cultural activities. Have they been to the new show at the local museum.
Is he/she a sports fan?

etc. etc.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

As an engineering student, I wish you luck striking up and maintaining a decent conversation with an engineer.

Originally Posted by Helix

+ trillions
Aww, we're not that bad. I do wonder at the extent to which engineers are socialized/Dilbertized to fit a role...the role seems antithetical to what many very serious engineers do.

Originally Posted by Helix

To a hot female engineer: "How about we integrate so I'm the area under those curves?"
That is actually funny.

Originally Posted by Teacher

ENGLISH TEACHERS: Good- "What did you do your thesis/dissertation on?" Bad- "Whoa! I suppose I'd better watch my grammar around you!"

Even worse when you know, you just know, that they really mean "my diction." ~ H

 

[Eccentric]

Originally Posted by Helix

To a hot female engineer:

"How about we integrate so I'm the area under those curves?"

If you're a really classy guy:

"Hey, baby, you up for crossing unit vectors?"

 

[Eccentric]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Aww, we're not that bad. I do wonder at the extent to which engineers are socialized/Dilbertized to fit a role...the role seems antithetical to what many very serious engineers do.
~ H


I don't think the issue so much has to do with the personality inherent to an engineer, as it does the course of study. My own observation is that I am not as good a conversationalist as I once was, which I attribute to having neither the time nor course of study for reading and other cultural activities. I think when the focus is on numbers and science, and the "culture jar" is not being refreshed, the ability to socially interact suffers.

 

[HHD]

Reading a decent newspaper regularly (the Economist will do) will keep you abreast of the main issues in those professions, insofar as they touch civilians like us. Approach as an interested layman - don't pretend to be an expert, or you'll be quickly revealed as an idiot. Don't forget that most of what lawyers, doctors and engineers do is unutterably boring, and that which isn't (juicy divorce scandals, sexual problems, which bridge is about to collapse) they won't be at liberty to discuss.

 

[DBoon]

Originally Posted by Eccentric

If you're a really classy guy:

"Hey, baby, you up for crossing unit vectors?"

Her reply:

"In your case, a logical starting point for the iterative process in the derivation of said vector is that its phase is oriented more towards the imaginary plane"

HEY-O!

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I attend alot of networking events, I'll start by asking about what they do and sometimes why, and then move into conversation that has more to do with current events. People like to give their opinion on current events and it usually makes a much more interesting convo.

I think the goal is to have them remember you as someone interesting to speak to and not a bore who simply asks endless questions about your profession. If you try to ask bullshit questions to sound like you really know alot about their profession most people can see through it and they know you're full of it.

 

[Naf Nasitra]

Originally Posted by Rambo

"So, how about those angles?"

Don't be obtuse.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

Sounds like we're saying the same thing... I just want to know what questions to ask and what questions to avoid sounding pitifully stupid. Sometimes I'll walk into a room full of engineers or doctors, and I'd just like to have one or two opening lines in my back pocket if everyone else is talking shop and I'm lost for words.

Can I just ask where you find these rooms full? The only time I see a room full of doctors is Thursday mornings at the bagel shop, when they stop on their group cycle ride.

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

If you try to ask bullshit questions to sound like you really know alot about their profession most people can see through it and they know you're full of it.

I agree completely here. If your goal is to make me think you know about my profession, you need to do more than ask me a canned question or two. Just act interested vs. trying to come off knowledgeable about something you're not.

 

[Chrenetique]

Two ways to build a decent conversation.

First one : play on causal/emotional fields. Why did you specialize in this? Is it fulfilling? Is it expanding? Do you like it? Will you keep on?

Second one : make people believe your occupation links up with theirs. With a business lawyer, talk about the interesting company you'll be setting up soon. Etc.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Can I just ask where you find these rooms full? The only time I see a room full of doctors is Thursday mornings at the bagel shop, when they stop on their group cycle ride.

Seems to happen to me all the time. Most of the people I know went into engineering or medicine making me a bit of an oddball since I went into business. Usually when they see me, the first thing they ask is "I'm paying too much in taxes.. tell me how to fix it"