The Operational Playbook
I often get asked what I do for a living. This usually happens in small talk with an adult beverage in hand from a well-meaning person. Generally they aren’t really interested or really doesn’t understand software (which is fine by the way). I try to summarize with a few lines.
I ask “do you know what a building architect does?” They often respond “yes”. I tell them “I do the same with software”.
It seems to work (mostly). I politely go refresh my drink, and exit stage left, when they start asking me PC help desk questions. But I’ve been asked enough to stop and think about it a bit more.