I usually say " I polish porcupines" or " I'm a rat-renovator" or somesuch nonsense....occasionally I'll say, "well I'm so fabulously wealthy I don't need to work"....because people can see it's patently untrue.Usually people will take the hint and not ask again....if they do, I use Praises technique and ask about them.....people love to talk about themselves. And I don't think it's a US preoccupation......happens here all the time too......except amongst folkies at clubs or festivals who never ask......isn't that interesting?