You Work for Who?

Hi my name is...and I work for. It's really hard to have a conversation with anyone without having to answer the age old questions, where do you work and/or who do you work for. Since when does our place of employment define who we are? We hate to admit it but we ask these questions to determine status. A fast food worker ranks lower than a person who practices law. My question is why? Why is it so important to know where we work?  Can't we ask other questions to get to know a person better? I can't fake the funk because I'm quilty of asking those same questions too. I'm not going to lie I find myself playing the comparison game. I guess I'm a status junkie too. Sad face.