your correct, traders can get 'cabin fever', and it can be detrimental to your trading and health if other means of socialization aren't used. and high priced escorts isn't considered socialization.
I'm starting to see diverse view on this subject but I do agree with asap. As to what lescor said, I'm not sure if online chatroom will cut it for me, I chat with my buddies who are at work but it's the being in front of the computer by yourself and no real human interaction that gets to me. I might look to trade at a prop firm eventually.
I think you're either a "people" person who thrives on that interaction daily or you can live without it. I traded in an office for 2+ years with about a dozen other traders. Most of the guys were great but rarely did real friendships develop. For me the office was distracting in a lot of ways with other guys euphoric over their winning trades and using every 4 letter word to let us know when they had a loser. And hearing time and time again "Blank you Goldman" was a riot. Once when I out in the hall a woman in an office next door to us asked "who is this Goldman that everyone wants to "blank"? But I've traded at home almost 9 years and would never go back to an office. I don't miss the 1 hour round trip commute. That hour is mine to do with as I want. I don't miss having to worry about packing a lunch or deciding where to go out to (or order in) at the office. I love the choice I have of knocking off for an hour for a bike ride or run at mid-day. Those weren't options you had at the office I traded at. And at home I am so much more focused without the noise. Sure, I miss some of the guys but the benefits to being remote far outweigh the office environment for me.
DHOHHI, I agree with you. I traded at the office of my prop firm and I found it to be extremely distracting. While the jokes and the excitement can be entertaining, they are nevertheless distracting. On the other hand, I found that trading remotely can be quite boring at times. What I would suggest is to participate in some civic group or association. I live in a medium size city - 100,000 people - and through the participation in a civic group I received invitations to multiple events, parties, dinners, etc. Belive it or not, most civic groups, associations have difficulty filling their leadership ranks since most people do not have the necessary time. So there are always opportunities for social interaction. About escorts, they tend to be quite expensive and not as smart as the people you would get to know via civic participation.... probably more entertaining though
Being a big NFL fan I like trading from home this time of year. Do my thing on the weekend then sit here during the week and watch ALL the games on NFL channel while Im trading. I try to avoid the sport news so I dont know the scores.
It all depends on your character.Some people just can not live with others, while some others can not live without. Some posts above gave balanced advice. And I want to add one comment about stress. Stess is sth that will gradually decrease during your career as a successful trader. The longer you have traded and the more you have learned, the less stressful you will be. If you are still as stressful as when you started, or if you are still as stressful as when your trade size was 10 times smaller, then you simply have not figured out yet.
I had the same problem for a while. Working alone can be isolating, even for someone naturally comfortable with his own company. Try to get some professional socialising by using the net, IM, webcam conference calls/chat with other traders etc. Network a little, join investment clubs, or hook up with other market ppl. I find that helps alleviate the isolation. For a social life, IMO you should not shit where you eat - keep it separate from work. I've been self-employed for 9 years and I haven't had any problem with enjoying a decent social life. Work friends are rarely genuine or deep friendships anyway - how many keep in touch when you move company? It's nice to be able to shoot the breeze, moan about someone, or chat up a girl without having to worry if it'll become next week's office gossip. I know plenty of office guys who have a crap social life and no girlfriend, or a nagging wife they go straight home to.