[Broken_Hippo]

That is simply a reflection of what folks find important. It used to be important who your family was, as it kind of indicated your place in society and contributed to a stereotype. Same for your residence.

It just isn't as important as important as what you do for a living as it doesn't say anything about you like your career choice does. That is, unless it seems like an interesting and defining factor.

I personally get asked where I'm from quite often - well before anyone asks me what my job is. I'm an immigrant and speak with an accent. The job is secondary: i'll occasionally get asked if I wound up in Norway for work, other times folks will occasionally ask somewhere in the conversation. My accent makes it less of a defining characteristic.

The other thing I'll state is that you can answer the question differently so that you are in control over what defines you. You might have a McJob. Nothing to write home about, but you don't mind it so much and it pays the bills. But you program/make music/artwork/have hobbies in your free time. Answer that bit. Make the job secondary. Ask the question to others differently. It might not become popular in the whole of society, but you might be happier in your personal interactions.