I just got back from a vacation on Kaui and I could not believe how many people ask "What do you do for a living?" - especailly at the posh hotels. I got so sick of hearing these people tell me they were Doctors, Attorneys, Professors, etc. that I came to the conclusion that these professionals IN GENERAL are just too proud of themselves. Is that just my experience or am I on sniffing glue? I would simply tell them that I am the professional who shakes the money tree in the back yard. I am a stock and futures trader. LOL PQ
when asked what i do and i don't want to talk to the person any longer---- "third world debt trader" is a ready answer and not too far off the mark.
First worked for a brokerage firm dealing mainly in the SPX, OEX, and NDX, I was a phone clerk-- but told people I was an Institutional Derivatives Marketer (I was, kind of, I called Goldman and Solly and tried to peddle my other customers crap orders to them). Then I starting trading those products, and I would tell people I trade derivatives on stock indices based on a weighted average price of 500 equities !! That did a really good job of shutting them up. Vega Also really like the third world debt one !!!!!!!
If it's someone I know, I'll say "I play the stock market" or "I'm a daytrader." If it is someone I do not know , then I'll usually say "I'm a short tem investor." When and if they ask for advice, I decline and say something along the lines of I do not make long term investments and therefore am not able to help you. It usually stops there. If they press on and I don't know them very well, I excuse myself and walk away. DS
If people ask, I tell them that I'm a stock trader. If they ask for more specifics, I tell them that I'm a daytrader. Plain and simple, it's what I do. If they don't like it or have a negative image towards me or my profession, well that's their problem. If they have a neutral image, positive image, or even a negative view point with a somewhat open mind.....then maybe we'll have a good conversation and learn something. gotta_trade
Most people have no idea of what "trading" is, and yes you are correct that they see it as gambling, or certainly "lucky" until they relate it to my lifestyle and begin to get curious. I only mention what I "do" if asked, and never get into detail unless they pursue it. Until recently, I would not trade anyone else's money for them and still keep the specifics of my technique within a very small trusted group (my children).