i just say that i'm a trader. if that's a mystery wrapped in a riddle to people, oh well. No desire to brag about 'accomplishments' but no desire to conceal the truth either, I think the element of James Bond type secrecy/coolness is undeserved.
those who don't know much about markets frequently get trader mixed up with stockbroker.
those who have dabbled and gotten killed go through a routine cycle of laughter / disbelief / confusion / amazement. from then on they look at you with squinty eyed skepticism or restrained worship.
it's especially amusing to see the reactions of supposedly informed financial types who have deep convictions that trading is impossible. You are a walking talking cognitive dissonance to them, an assault on their reality. Your implied success is offensive to their ego.
i rarely if ever go into detail. when people ask for my predictions i generally shrug and say i have pet theories but no real idea what markets are going to do, nor do i care. Since they assume prediction is my business, which it most definitely is not, this usually puzzles them into silence. it's mildly amusing to speak truthfully and simply only to see your answers confuse further, like the little bald kung fu masters who speak in riddles.
if someone wants specifics on how much i make or how much money i work with, i usually give a standard answer that i only discuss account and performance specifics with potential investors, just to make life easier.
it doesn't happen all that often. when you have an established circle of family and friends, you occasionally run into new 'what do you do' situations but pretty infrequently.
p.s. 'independent money manager' is a decent way to tone down the gunslinger image with a coat and tie when appropriate
those who don't know much about markets frequently get trader mixed up with stockbroker.
those who have dabbled and gotten killed go through a routine cycle of laughter / disbelief / confusion / amazement. from then on they look at you with squinty eyed skepticism or restrained worship.
it's especially amusing to see the reactions of supposedly informed financial types who have deep convictions that trading is impossible. You are a walking talking cognitive dissonance to them, an assault on their reality. Your implied success is offensive to their ego.
i rarely if ever go into detail. when people ask for my predictions i generally shrug and say i have pet theories but no real idea what markets are going to do, nor do i care. Since they assume prediction is my business, which it most definitely is not, this usually puzzles them into silence. it's mildly amusing to speak truthfully and simply only to see your answers confuse further, like the little bald kung fu masters who speak in riddles.
if someone wants specifics on how much i make or how much money i work with, i usually give a standard answer that i only discuss account and performance specifics with potential investors, just to make life easier.
it doesn't happen all that often. when you have an established circle of family and friends, you occasionally run into new 'what do you do' situations but pretty infrequently.
p.s. 'independent money manager' is a decent way to tone down the gunslinger image with a coat and tie when appropriate
