I have been a nurse for ten years. I work at a large regional hospital doing direct patient care.
I like to get to know my patients and often do small talk. I often broke the ice by asking “so what type of work do you do” and use that for conversation.
I've recently caught myself feeling different towards patients depending on their profession or type of work. If someone said they are an attorney or professor etc I would subconsciously be a bit more professional and respectful.
Fock that
Two weeks ago I decided not to ask that anymore. Treat everyone the same no matter what.