David Mamet reflects on a valuable lesson from his late father regarding the question of one's profession. He emphasizes that asking someone about their job can create an implicit hierarchy, where the questioner unconsciously assesses the other person's intelligence or wealth based on their response. This inquiry can lead to biases that influence how one communicates and interacts with others.

Mamet suggests that such questions can limit genuine engagement, as they imply a judgment based on external measures of worth. Instead of allowing people to express themselves freely, the question restricts the conversation to preconceived notions influenced by social status or financial success.