Do you tell people you're a trader?

[dont]

Now why would I waste the rental money. Also if what people thought of me would affect my trading I would get an office, since it has no bearing on which trades I take or don't take I am staying put.

 

[Everest]

Good thread.

I love it when people start to argue with me about trading.

My particular favorite is when folks tell me I can't make a living at it as the markets are random, or there are so many people smarter than me. That makes my day that one.

 

[ElectricSavant]

(the humble shall inherit the earth)

Quote from Everest:

Good thread.

I love it when people start to argue with me about trading.

My particular favorite is when folks tell me I can't make a living at it as the markets are random, or there are so many people smarter than me. That makes my day that one.

 

[bwc]

Quote from maczter:

In the past, I generally did tell people I was a trader. I do not volunteer it any longer, mostly because I got tired of explaining it to people who either had no clue, or thought they did but didn't.

The most "interesting" response I ever got was from my mother-in-law the first time my wife told her I was quitting my full time job to trade full time. She responded something to the effect of, "Are you sure you want to do that? There are a LOT of suicides in that industry."

It was then that I decided I would never volunteer being a trader to those I knew had no experience with trading themselves. Instead, I went back to being a "Freelance Designer."

I took a break from trading for a while several months later. She knew I had "quit" trading, but when I started trading again, I told my wife that I didn't want her to say a word to any family members. It's just easier that way since none of our family has experience trading and they were generally very negative about it, and I decided I didn't need their negativity jacking with me psychologically. Regardless of how much I tried not to let it affect me, I know it did at times.

Well, at least it seems like your spouse supports your decision on trading full time... Mine doesn't think it's possible and will think of ending up losing money as she is oppose to gambling of any sort.. and she consider stock or any trading as gambling... yet, she believes in investing in mutual funds for the long term...but not stocks for the long term...sigh.. you go figure

and then funny thing is ..she say if I'm able to trade and make 42 million like Dan Zanger (she only knows this because I mentioned Zanger and his results to her) .. she say she doesn't mind me trading fulltime.

 

[bestfriend]

I used to say I was an accountant, but that led to some hairy tax questions. Now, I just say I'm a bookkeeper.

 

[ElectricSavant]

When I drive up in my 1990 plymouth voyager dressed in my work out sweats and greet them, they really don't ask me much....

 

[bwc]

Quote from Baruch:

You need a ofifce - to impress people. If you have no job and works from home, everyone thinks you are unemployed (and a loser).

If you can do this for a few years straight..then they will start to be impress a bit since you are paying the office rent somehow from your activities... but subconsciously, they will still think it's risky... (sorta like how some people think starting and running a successful business is quite impressive..yet they still think it's risky).

But then your family member who is opposing to trading will continue to tell you it's better to go find a 'stable' job as that is a definite income, UNLESS you show them of the average you make 5k a month (including losing months.. .but you don't tell thme that because if they know that is losing months, they will say a job will always generate income....assuming you are employed)

some people mind will never be changed..no matter what.. (esp, in a generic perspective, if you have a ph.d who's essense is being right more than making money.. due to their high level of education/ego)

 

[slacker]

According to research described in the book "Blink" by Malcom Gladwell the majority of people have already made a determination of your 'social status' before you say a word. Regardless of your car, business card, etc. etc.

Have you ever changed your mind after meeting someone once they have given you their business card or told you what they do? Not so often in my experience...

When I expressed my concern about such 'window dressing appearances' to a very successful friend he said,

"The people that matter, don't care [about window dressing];
and the people that care[about window dressing], don't matter."

That conversation was years ago and I have found it to be true.

 

[landboy]

Quote from bestfriend:

I used to say I was an accountant, but that led to some hairy tax questions. Now, I just say I'm a bookkeeper.

It's kinda funny that you say that, since my title is accountant but I actually do very little accounting...

When people ask I either say I'm an accountant if I'm too tired to explain, or I say "Well, I"m in securities custody" and then when they ask i say, "you know when you look in the newspaper at the prices for mutual funds? I'm the one who figures that price out."

It sounds a LOT more interesting than it really is

 

[bwc]

Quote from slacker:


When I expressed my concern about such 'window dressing appearances' to a very successful friend he said,

"The people that matter, don't care [about window dressing];
and the people that care[about window dressing], don't matter."

That conversation was years ago and I have found it to be true.

So it's similar to going to a job interview where people who care a lot about their appearance/dressing usually doesn't have as much 'qualifications' or have a lack of confidence as someone else whom doesn't seem to care as much about what they dress since they have a lot confidence or is well qualified for the job. (and know that they can get a job if this one end up doesn't hire them)?