What do I do?

I get this everyday. This question is posed to me almost by anybody I meet, who may be least interested in me. I admit that the question completely puts me off and irritates me to no end. I know in the ideal world it shouldn't bother me, alas, people are curious and they ask questions just to fill the empty gaps in conversation.  What is the question, you may want to know, it is ofcourse: "What do you do?"

Honestly, I am still not comfortable answering it. I am now a stay at home mom or a homemaker or worse, a housewife and I do not feel comfortable with any of these titles.


Its not a question of my being unemployed and not being part of the work force. Even earlier, when I used to work in a bank and my title was deputy manager, I never felt comfortable saying that either. I don't know, may be I never felt I contributed anything significant to the society. But I remember that all I had to do is say that  I worked in a bank and the person would be satisfied and would quickly move to a more interesting topic of conversation or even keep his/her silence. But now when I say that I am one of the homemaker or housewife whatever combination, the questions seem to be endless.

It is as though the worst thing I could do was be a simple woman who stays home and looks after her family. Why / why? It would never satisfy people, they would prod, asking if it was just temporary or say something forced on me. I know that people do not just get it and sometimes blurt out things that they do not mean. But seriously I wish I had the guts to say something outrageous at times. These are some of the answers I wish I gave for this irritating question. So how do you spend your time?

Me:
Well, I cook, clean and count the tiles. (or)
I don't know I just stare out of the window until I fall asleep.(or)
Oh I watch all the soaps on TV that I don't even have time to make lunch. (or)
Free time, you must be kidding. You obviously have never stayed at home.(or)
I am doing some research on working women and their burden of guilt.