gottschalk..we are the "people" we are the traders!!! i agree with you more than you think I just wanted to give the kid some things to soul search... but heck...this is just an anonymous internet board ...can you see the satire?
Well the door swings both ways. People who make money a certain way or ways tend to think that that is the way when it is a way. Entrepreneurs think its their way or the high way. Executives the same. Professionals the same. Investors the same. Traders the same. Obviously not all of these people think that but when you talk to people they basically crap on all other professions and choices (which makes sense because why would they choose something they think sucks).
I must be isolated and I concede...I do not hang with people I guess...just the few that "fill me up".... I imagine that you are correct gotty's...and we can feel sorry for those that place other people in catagories to get their answers... This is why I like traders...They search...but now I am the one catagorizing...lol...blame it on Al Gore...
You know honestly speaking, I think it is normal for new neighbors to ask you what you do and where are you from, to get to know you. Making comments about that's where the money comes from, that's out of line IMO. When I first moved in I was in outside sales, now full time trading. Nowadays when ppl. ask I tell them I am studying to be a full time trader, ppl. I like that is, since I am about BE at this point after a little more than a year. I live in a middle class neighborhood and my wife pays most of our bills for now and it's all good. I used to pay 80% of the bills when I was in outside sales. Since I have had conflicts with neighbors on both sides I don't interact with them and the new career never comes up. If they asked I would probably tell them I do some financial analysis investing. I don't like them much so it's none of their business anyway. I think I jinxed myself when I posted atleast they are quiet neighbors. One of them, the husband was out breaking ice with a shovel at 6:30 in the morning which has been there for 3 months. If you want to have fun with your neighbors tell them you are starting a hedge fund and you are raising capital and hit them up for their $$$. That will scare them off quick. It's funny, but when I first started making good $$$ in sales I would talk about how much I make because I was excited and proud, not arrogant though. I would ask my roomate, who owned the house I lived in, how much he made, because he was successfully self employed. He would just shut me down politely, and say he doesn't talk about that with anyone. I learned to do the same soon. Some ppl. either got jealous of my success or wanted to hit me up for a loan! I never asked anyone for a loan. Privacy is a good thing. Dan
A couple of my neighbors have resorted to taping notes to my garage door when I am bit un-neighborly (loud). I tape my responses to my garage door (which are actually corditial/inviting to tell me in person) and leave'em up for a couple of days. Some of the neighbors are cool, some aren't. That's usually the way it works.
Well on the one hand you can't let other people push you around but on the other hand other people do matter to some degree as that is an inescapable fact of life. Can you tell I have some economics background? What you should said, if it still bothers you, is the truth. The next time you talk with the guy and it gets brought up just say that you are a professor but also a successful trader that works from home. If the guy thinks it's BS and that you are a house husband oh well. There really isn't anything you can do. If you are definetly going to stay in the neighborhood just try to make nice with everyone. The people you hate you don't have to see often except to be cordial and the people you like you can be friends with. If it is really gnawing at you and you have a sweet trade station setup in your home then invite the guy in and show him your workspace and he will probably be more convinced. But again if he is or isn't convinced there really isn't anything you can do except steel yourself and not care.
My first advise is who cares what your neighbor thinks? But if it makes you feel better, Tell your neighbors that you are a big swingin d$ck at a boutique hedge fund that currently does not take on any more investors because of overwhelming demand.
If your neighbors are going to be dicks about what you do for a living, call me up, I'll trench their yard, teepee/ egg their house, deflate the tires, blow up their mail box, and leave a burning bag of shit on their front steps. ........ok, so thats a bit much, but you never know, it might work. cm69