Do you tell people you're a trader?

I tell them that I have an internet based business. Too complex to get into in detail (if they do decide to ask further). If they still persist (there has been the odd one or two) then I tell them that it is too hard to explain but that it basically has to do with studying behaviour of others on what they do (pattern analysis). By that time they start to have their eyes gloss over and stop asking.

Sherlock.
 
Quote from Holmes:
I tell them that I have an internet based business. Too complex to get into in detail (if they do decide to ask further).
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Interesting.. if you tell me that first, I'll immediately assume it's networking marketing internet
business....I would think your "Too complex to get into in detail" is just a ploy to get me to ask more
and then get my info so you can invite me to a 'business presentation'. But I would still ask you
directly if this is network marketing..upon which you will say no..and then continue below


then I tell them that it is too hard to explain but that it basically has to do with studying behaviour of others on what they do (pattern analysis.)
Sherlock.
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Then since you seemed mysterious or embarrassed by what you do,
I will have several assumptions will pop into my mind: pornography, identity theft, spammer..

and then if you add pattern analysis, I no longer think you are embarrassed..but will think:

a third party provider of statistical patterns to determine online shopper's behaviors to companies, and then possibly trading...heheh.
 
Quote from raszorz:

I'm just curious... what kind of reactions do you receive when you tell someone you're a trader and you do that to make a living...
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I find it so much easier to just say that I am a spiritual advisor and part-time shepherd. :D
 
No one mentioned plain old "financial trader"? That's the standard response I give, and it's usually followed by, "oh, you're a day trader"?

But I like "buy and sell stuff on the internet", so I think I'll use that one now
 
Quote from bwc:

[a third party provider of statistical patterns to determine online shopper's behaviors to companies, and then possibly trading...heheh. [/B]
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Most people would not even know what statistical analysis is. One thing I will not do is to lie - obsuring yes, talking in riddles - yes. But lie can get you in deep trouble with some government departments. Recently someone was jailed for 9 months because he stated something on his resume (which had nothing to do with the job he was employed for and had no bearing on his appointment).

And it is best to keep evertyhing in one line, then you do not have to remember whom you told what.

Sherlock
 
These are some responses I get from people when I tell them that I trade futures :

1 a total blank bewildered stare

2 well, how do you get your money?
(like the broker going to steal it I guess)

3. well , how can you make money if the market keeps going down (don't even try to explain shorting )

4. Have you been hurt bad by it yet ?
(plumber ask me that one , had lost his ass in mutual funds )

5. man you got balls !!!
(barber)

6. Gee, I could'nt stand sitting in front of a computer all day
( co worker that spends his vacation cutting firewood to save on heating bills)

 
Quote from raszorz:

I'm just curious... what kind of reactions do you receive when you tell someone you're a trader and you do that to make a living...

It seems to me that many people mis-associate trading with the boilerroom, gambling, or just doing something illegal...
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First of all, it greatly depends on who your having a conversation with.

Your going to be saying something slightly different to the next door neighbor, someone at a trader expo, grandma girlfriends, delivery guy, guys remodeling your basement or a backyard party at the house of a casual friend et cetera.

For those that are more professional like CPA, bank account rep, life insurance agent, real estate agent et cetera...

You don't want to use any unusual titles especially when your using their services and always be prepare to give them a business card with website links of the exchanges your product trades at.

My business card saids Private Trader at the top and below that it shows the following...

http://www.eurexchange.com

http://www.cme.com

http://www.cbot.com

http://www.euronext.com

Below the above has my phone number, fax number and email address.

Besides...those whom professional services your using are most likely going to have some access to private financial info and they are the ones that just look at numbers and ask general formality questions.

It's those you meet for the very first time (strangers like someone you meet at someone's party) that if they seem a little confused about our job occupation...

Hand them that business card.

If they make a negative remark or behave as if we have a low life job...

Make sure to ask what they do for a living.

One thing I notice is that retail day traders of stocks get most of the bad impressions in comparison to retail day traders of futures, institutional traders, floor traders, someone employed by the exchange et cetera.

Last of all, if we don't behave in a professional manner...

Telling someone that we trade in the markets is not going to improve their impressions of us regardless if we work for someone else or work for ourselves.

Example, I have a neighbor that's a complete slob, rude, always arguing with someone from the neighborhood and he's a veteran police officer.

I can only imagine what some of the sterotype images are being made by neighbors about police officers in general.

Another example, if your known as someone that goes from job to job, hobby to hobby or as someone not to be taken seriously...

Telling them your a day trader will just give that person one more sterotype image about traders (swing, day trading or whatever).

NihabaAshi
 
Quote from NihabaAshi:

My business card saids Private Trader at the top and below that it shows the following...NihabaAshi
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Just curious. Why would a private trader need a business card? Wouldn't the use of a business card suggest something other than private?
 
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