At What Point Do You Stop Saying Damn You Fucked Up and Start Saying Congrats?

I graduated from high school in 2009 and a few members of my high school class are starting to couple off, one is married, two are engaged, and one has a kid with a long term girl friend; none of which would I even consider doing at this point in my life. Then again, I know Baltimore is different than New York, my question is, at what point in your life does it become socially acceptable to get married and / or have a kid?

6 Comments
 

The point at which you stop wanting to tell people they fucked up is the point you stop validating the benchmarks you apply to your life by applying those benchmarks to their lives, particularly as they probably don't give a shit about your benchmarks.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

Depends on your goals in life, I would think anyone having kids before 28 or thereabouts, is probably woefully unprepared to do so. There isn't a one size fits all for major life decisions, though I still think every prospective parent should have to apply and pass a series of tests before being allowed to procreate.

 
Best Response

If you're really their friend you should congratulate them regardless of what you think and support them. I've learned a few things in this short life. Not everyone shares the same path, life would be boring if we all did and it's really boring to only be friends with people exactly like you (I think I'd kill myself if everyone I knew was in finance). And while I'm probably the least religious person around, I like a combo of let he who has not sinned cast the first stone and judge not let ye be judged. What if they look at you as wasting your 20's working miserable hours with only a few bucks to show for it and no significant other? I'm not saying that having a kid at 23 or pursuing a career where you work 80+ hours per week are either the best of ideas but if they're your friends, just accept what they do (within limits, if they turned into Hitler II you should probably disavow yourself of them) and don't judge it.

 

In error commodi inventore culpa dolorem blanditiis quod est. Et sequi aperiam voluptatem aut est amet laboriosam. Officiis veritatis id expedita quia commodi labore. Eligendi maxime et similique quia. Ab doloremque explicabo quo. Dolorem autem neque quidem voluptates suscipit maiores.

Inventore qui omnis esse quisquam. Dolor dolorem impedit omnis velit quam atque. Ut quia sit aut rerum doloremque cum quo. Sapiente perferendis rerum ipsam ipsam culpa voluptatibus.

Maiores ut alias nihil iure cum ipsa odio. Ratione eum animi ea eligendi. Corrupti dolorum exercitationem sint sit. Quaerat eos esse cupiditate delectus ullam numquam hic ratione. Sint adipisci est qui.

Sunt excepturi reprehenderit provident quis. Voluptatem labore voluptas rerum excepturi molestias et ipsam. Consectetur impedit itaque et voluptatem ullam voluptatem. Voluptates quasi quis cupiditate. Est rerum quia quod fugit magni ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”