The whole 'bounty hunter = Mandalorian' thing is a bit of a galaxy-brain topic, honestly. Take Boba Fett—everyone assumed he was Mandalorian for decades because of that iconic armor, but turns out he’s just a guy who inherited Jango’s gear (and Jango was a foundling, so it’s messy). Then there’s Din Djarin from 'The Mandalorian,' who is a true-blue Mandalorian but also happens to take bounty jobs. The culture’s more about creed than career, though. Mandalorians can be warriors, rulers, or even pacifists (hi, Duchess Satine!), while bounty hunting’s just a gig some pick up. The armor’s what throws people off—it’s like seeing someone wear a police uniform and assuming they’re a cop, when maybe they just bought it at a costume shop.
That said, the lines blur in fun ways. Legends material had whole clans like the Journeyman Protectors moonlighting as mercenaries, and modern canon leans into the 'Mandalorians as a diaspora' idea. If you’re vibing with the 'this is the way' lifestyle, you might end up hunting bounties to survive, but it doesn’t define the culture. Also, shoutout to Sabine Wren—she’s proof you can be Mandalorian and an artist-rebel-explosives-enthusiast. The galaxy’s big enough for both Beskar-wearing traditionalists and folks who just want to get paid.