Quote from jrsmee:
Thank god I no longer prop trade so I can count idiots like businessman as my peer. This might be one of the worst quotes of all time.
As I explained earlier, Goldman is a major investment bank. That means they have trading but also M&A, Structuring, Asset Management, etc... What does that mean. Well, when you hear about the long hours (and they aren't an exageration, as I have plenty of friends who have put in their 120+ hour weeks, and their easy 70 hour weeks) these most often apply to their investment bankers. Their traders still work longer hours than any arcade/props out there, but are more likely 5:30-7:00 ish (give or take) M-F gigs.
Second off, long hours might not equate hard work, but if you don't think these guys (or any other Investment Banker) work hard, than you are both stupid and obviously have never met anyone in the business.
Third, you are right to say it is their choice. It definitely is their choice. No one ever put a gun to any of my friends who are bankers (spare a few pushy parents). Instead they do it for the prestige, the money and the future opportunities (including first crack at the best grad schools and most other places in corporate america). But, very few actually enjoy their job, at least at the junior level (analyst, associate).
Finally, to the individual who thinks anyone helps pay Goldman through their commissions, I hope your joking. The only reason Goldman even does futures is to keep the business of their big customers and to lay off risk associated with any one of the otc/exotic/structured/etc... products they have on the books.
BTW---Congrats Bernanke and RIP Refco.