Newbie here and I've been reading a bunch of reviews here and one common theme is there's some down time to chit chat with the provider. Hobbyists have you/is it ok to as a provider why...well umm why she provides??? Or is that territory better left alone.

Any providers chime in as well

"Why you hobby?" then maybe it's fair game, but otherwise leave it alone as Papa said. There should be plenty of other things to chit chat about. Now if it is someone you have seen multiple times, and you are getting to know a lot more about each other, that could be different.

...haven't seen her before.  Don't put her on the spot; she will reveal any info she chooses to when she is ready.

There are certain discussions that are more appropriate only after you have developed a comfort with each other  and working relationship. That is usually not on the first date.

agreed my last provider did mention her career like once working at an agency, but that was as far as it went. I think of it as being just as rude as asking for her age (which I believe you should never do)

I love to converse, so there is never a dumb ?