How do you guys handle this one?

[Monkeyslacks]

"Wow! You played poker for a living this summer? How much did you make?"

Over and over and over I'm asked this question and I find it somewhat offensive. My default response is to say I'd rather not discuss it, but this seems a bit prickish. Any more gracious approach out there? Does this question bother you?

[bernie]

If this question offends you, loosen up a bit. Realize how the average person views gambling.

I mean really, what do you expect them to ask? What benchmark would they even be aware of that would be less offensive?

You could always just say, 'couple hundred...' and leave it at that.

b

[jdl22]

How about x bb/hr? Otherwise just say 20 bucks an hour. THat may be high or low but it's a believable number either way.

[spamuell]

"What makes you think I won?"

[Monkeyslacks]

[ QUOTE ]

If this question offends you, loosen up a bit. Realize how the average person views gambling.

I mean really, what do you expect them to ask? What benchmark would they even be aware of that would be less offensive?

You could always just say, 'couple hundred...' and leave it at that.

b

[/ QUOTE ]

You echo my thoughts here. I can't fault them too much for asking.

I say, "I played for a living this summer."

They hear, "I won the lottery."

What bugs me is that when a casual acquaintance mentions he got a job, immediately asking his salary is pretty poor form.

I really like the "couple hundred..." remark. I think I'll adopt that one.

[The once and future king]

At least they didnt ask you how much did you win this summer.

I get annoyed by this. In Pub friday night. Some very casual aquintance who knows I play poker: "How much did you win today?" I answer with some figure "Wow the beers are on you then."

As though the fact that I had won is some act of blind luck and not having just sat in front of a computer grinding it out for 8 hours and having endured streaks of death etc during the preceding days that the quoted win has just adjusted to my normal ROI.

[daryn]

just man up and tell them how much you made.

why is it in poor form to ask someone how much they are making? that seems like a very pertinent question. i know my friends aren't the type of guys that would care if i asked.

i don't mean to insult you if it sounds like it, but just asking.

[beernutz]

[ QUOTE ]
"Wow! You played poker for a living this summer? How much did you make?"

Over and over and over I'm asked this question and I find it somewhat offensive. My default response is to say I'd rather not discuss it, but this seems a bit prickish. Any more gracious approach out there? Does this question bother you?

[/ QUOTE ]
To paraphrase a Dear Abby response, "If I knew you well enough, you'd already know the answer to that question."

[lowroller]

Here's an idea....don't tell them you played for a living this summer.

[Monkeyslacks]

[ QUOTE ]

just man up and tell them how much you made.

why is it in poor form to ask someone how much they are making? that seems like a very pertinent question. i know my friends aren't the type of guys that would care if i asked.

i don't mean to insult you if it sounds like it, but just asking.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just bugs me. I can't rationally justify it other than to say it is commonly thought a social taboo. One of the reasons I posted the question was to see if it bothered others...

I'll try to loosen up.