I'm getting a strange case of deja-vu. Didn't we discuss this a while back? I guess it keeps coming back because it really is a conundrum for the typical trader. I read Tony Oz had the same problem and just let people have the impression that he was running a VC. I don't know about you but I really like the mystery that surrounds this humble vocation. Lets keep it that way. I mean does your aunt Sally really need that lesson in short selling?
I spent a good 30 mins on a long car ride this weekend trying to explain shorting to my girlfriend... I don't get it... its still buying low and selling high, just the order is reversed.
Tell her it's like when you sell a guy a car for $1000, he later decides he doesn't want it because it's a lemon, comes back to you and begs you to take it back, and you give him $600 for it.
"I make money by doing what is beyond the comprehension of most" guaranteed to shut 'em up every time.
A few times I said that I was a daytrader and that got ugly pretty quick. To this day, I don't understand why - I think it's a great profession, but who can fight the media? I then strated saying that I am a "trader" and that was better - but there were a few people who leaned forward, looked deep into my eyes, and insisted: "are you a DAY-trader?" As I usually do in these circumstances, I ran to my wife for help. She solved the problem, easy. Now I answer with "I am a trader, and I like mostly FUTURES & COMMODITIES, but I trade EVERYTHING..." That got me some peace and, most importantly, respect. No-one out there knows what an e-mini is, anyway. Except that time when I said those same words in answering someone's question, but in my wife's presence. She just started laughing... boy, that was awkward
LOL, literally. That has happened to me. I've said, 'I'm a trader,' thinking that would be the end of it, and they come back with, 'a DAY trader?' Just can't hide.