[snitko]

What's up with saying "I'm a programmer"? Assuming you are, of course. Being a co-founder is not a profession. I think when a person asks this question, you should answer in the most simple and pragmatic way. Because, in my opinion:

1. Trying to be unconventional when answering this question is wrong. Most of the times you seem like a jerk.

2. Saying you're a co-founder in any way before saying what you actually do (skill) is wrong. It only serves the purpose of informing others how independent and successful you want to seem.

[Goosey]

I agree. People asking this aren't usually asking "What is your title/position?" they are asking "What activity is it that you spend the majority of your waking adult life taking part in."

It's a relevant question.

[ibejoeb]

If you're not, that's not all you do, or you do it at more than one place, I tend to think "I invest in young businesses" opens some doors and is fairly accurate whether your investment is time, energy, money, or a combination.

If you don't have the energy or the motivation to really get into it, "I am a (financial|management|technology|legal|PR)? consultant" is an easy out.

[iaskwhy]

I've tried it a couple of times and it didn't work out, people replay with the same question: "Yeah but what do you really do?"

To this seconds question I've tried to answer with "I make applications to help some companies" but they never understood what an application really is...

[snitko]

Really? In my experience they either lose interest, because in their mind I'm a computer guy who does things that seem boring to them or they get interested and we have a discussion.