I like the answer "I work with computers", which in my case is literally true since I work full time. It tends to get people off your back without saying too much. Usually they are just looking to categorize you and figure out how much money you make or how educated you are.
What happens when you reveal your true identity?
- Thread starter MainFramer
- Start date
My parents think I've lost it; why would I leave a high-paying executive career in high-tech to trade?
My farther in law thought I was "goofing off". I invited him over one day and he watched me make very good money over the day. He now respects the work that I put in and the money I make. He definitely didn't think it was as much work as it is and as hard as it is.
My farther in law thought I was "goofing off". I invited him over one day and he watched me make very good money over the day. He now respects the work that I put in and the money I make. He definitely didn't think it was as much work as it is and as hard as it is.
Not necessarily bad (besides them pumping your for tips, or quizzing you on every stock they can think of, both of which can get annoying, especially the tips and "inside info" they are usually after), but honestly what I have seen happen is it just takes too long to explain what I do to the average person. I think its like dotslash said, they are just looking to categorize you. If you say "I am a policeman" or "I am a highschool teacher" everyone knows what you do and people smile and grin and say nice things. If you say you look for market inefficiencies and exploit them for a profit, you will get a look like you have 9 heads.
- Hi! Who are you?
- I'm a architect, I create new buildings
- Hi ! and what are you doing?
- I'm a doctor, I heal people.
And you! What are you doing?
- I'm a speculator. I try to get other's people money.
OK.... :eek: welcome.... "nice" to meet you
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Its hard to understand what traders are doing in their life. The best answer is: "I make more liquidity in markets I trade"
- I'm a architect, I create new buildings
- Hi ! and what are you doing?
- I'm a doctor, I heal people.
And you! What are you doing?
- I'm a speculator. I try to get other's people money.
OK.... :eek: welcome.... "nice" to meet you
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Its hard to understand what traders are doing in their life. The best answer is: "I make more liquidity in markets I trade"
What to tell people about what we do for a living.
I've been thinking about this for the last few months since I've gone full time trading and turned off my other business's answering machine.
To the average person the word daytrader is associated with the following things:
Wild eyed crazy people frantically punching a computer keyboard to no avail; murderous rampages; gambling addiction; painfull memories of their own trading; a leech on the system doing no real good, and losing or making large amounts of money, probably the former. Now if they ask more questions and you tell them you're a successful daytrader, trade from home and play golf or fish every afternoon they may want to hate you due to their envy. They might feel bad about their own situation. We don't want them to feel bad (some think this is oversensitive or weak....I don't).
On the other hand I would love to show them how smart and successful I am. To affirm the success of my underachieving life. I want respect dammit. I'm proud of my achievement. It took a lot of time and work, creativity, brains and guts to get where I am. I don't want to lie or sugar coat it by saying I'm an "investor".
So I'm going to do something that is going out of style..... be honest. If someone asks what I do I'll tell them, "I'm a daytrader", because that's what I am. If they respect me, despise me, envy me or think I'm nuts, I don't care. When the market closes, I'm playing golf or going for bike ride.
************************************************
"If we offend, it is with our good will,
That you should think, we come not to offend,
But with good will. To show our simple skill,
That is the true beginning of our end.
Consider then we come but in despite.
We do not come as minding to content you,
Our true intent is. All for your delight,
We are not here."
- William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
I've been thinking about this for the last few months since I've gone full time trading and turned off my other business's answering machine.
To the average person the word daytrader is associated with the following things:
Wild eyed crazy people frantically punching a computer keyboard to no avail; murderous rampages; gambling addiction; painfull memories of their own trading; a leech on the system doing no real good, and losing or making large amounts of money, probably the former. Now if they ask more questions and you tell them you're a successful daytrader, trade from home and play golf or fish every afternoon they may want to hate you due to their envy. They might feel bad about their own situation. We don't want them to feel bad (some think this is oversensitive or weak....I don't).
On the other hand I would love to show them how smart and successful I am. To affirm the success of my underachieving life. I want respect dammit. I'm proud of my achievement. It took a lot of time and work, creativity, brains and guts to get where I am. I don't want to lie or sugar coat it by saying I'm an "investor".
So I'm going to do something that is going out of style..... be honest. If someone asks what I do I'll tell them, "I'm a daytrader", because that's what I am. If they respect me, despise me, envy me or think I'm nuts, I don't care. When the market closes, I'm playing golf or going for bike ride.
************************************************
"If we offend, it is with our good will,
That you should think, we come not to offend,
But with good will. To show our simple skill,
That is the true beginning of our end.
Consider then we come but in despite.
We do not come as minding to content you,
Our true intent is. All for your delight,
We are not here."
- William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream