I know, especially in business situations the time is used to be efficient and make contacts that are in the end valuable in a professional manner. Often the fact that you are still dealing with a human being not your next sale, investor or user is neglected.
However, if you make the time and consciously decide to be interested in people, also next time when you meet someone at a social setting, just genuinely ask "who are you, tell me about yourself". This will kick off the conversation in a completely different way. Granted, if you are good in conversations you can steer the conversation the same way with starting "what do you do", but it's just not the same and also makes you appear more interesting.
On the flip side, no matter how a person approaches you, you don't need to answer with your professional occupation only either. Maybe you want to say, well, "I am a father who tries to be the best version for my kids. I also run a book club on the side and am super excited about all the projects that are happening to reduce plastic on this earth and am looking into ways how to get involved."
Boom! There is a conversation about to happen.
So, what will you answer next time, what is your identity, like seriously, who are you? Who is [insert your name]?
This thought popped up when I was in a café today and the person next to me said that there are three type of people: a) people who identify themselves with their work, b) people who don't identify themselves with their work and c) "haven't figured it out, but there is a third one" ;)
Not saying you need to be in one of the three, but the question "who are you" is important.