Originally Posted by Kriston
In conversation, I often ask lots of questions, so the person I'm talking to thinks I want to pursue the subject "for real" and begins giving me lists of resources, contacts, etc. Then I have to either pretend to have a lasting interest that I never intended, or I must confess, shamefacedly, that no, I don't want to actually go back to school to become a _______; I'm just a curious person.

As I say, totally unscientific...but still potentially useful, I think.
Oooo Kriston - I totally do that conversationally as well.

And point taken about being unscientific, but I do think it is useful! I like it a lot.