What do you do? It’s a question that comes up repeatedly at both virtual and in-person networking events. It’s a dreaded question. You tell people what you do “I’m a doctor, lawyer, accountant” and ...

QUESTION: Is there a polite way to answer the question “What do you do?” I am retired and I find myself wanting to tell the asking person about my former job, but that is not the question he asked.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about retirement, travel and living a happy life overseas. I could have said I am retired, but "retired" is not a job.