Hiding What You Do For Work
Do you guys ever do this? What are some situations where you find yourself wanting to not mention what exactly you do for a living? I find myself downplaying it or just trying to avoid bringing it up in certain contexts where it may pose a strategic disadvantage or affect someone's perception of me because they'll presume things about me based on them thinking I earn a certain amount of money or anything along those lines. Negotiating price on something like buying a car, or to get a service based task done is an example of a situation. Or if you're around a bunch of people who you know might make significantly less. What are some times you guys have done this, or is it just me?
Fuck off. Bankers are such cucks.
Pls no bully, big fan pussy galore. But seriously I'm surprised you of all people don't have this. You mention private equity anywhere and people assume you're a rich prick without even knowing you. Have faced similar mentioning that I'm at a HF. Have since begun to downplay it depending on who I'm talking to.
Raijin - this guy's joking... Don't take everything so seriously.
Do you pretend to be poor to get better deals?
😂
Sometimes yeah for sure. I hunt for them too, I will go out of my way to save on something. I like to pay what something is worth. I don't think there should be a rate discrimination simply because I can afford more? It shouldn't be proportional like that. I mean this for normal things btw or like things sold by big businesses, I don't mean I'm doing some gary vee haggling at a garage sale bullshit or like lowballing people on fb marketplace. I am admittedly cheap from my own POV but not in like an asshole way, I splurge on quality things and I tip quite well. I don't skimp on stuff like that or ever try to be less generous to others, I just want that to be of my own accord not forced upon me or expected. Hope that makes sense.
I never disclose what I do. Bankers are despised in the UK and people think Billions is an accurate description of what we are paid (it's not) and what we do. Like all trades it's upside/downside.....no real upside here. I usually tell people I work in the security industry. I will never disclose that I am a banker if I'm dealing with trades people or general "cash only" businesses like barbers, etc. I find you have better bargaining power if you keep your occupation to yourself. It also helps to dress plainly (which makes sense in a city like London where thieves knife people for their watches).
I work on the buy side and most people don’t understand it at all and think I’m a financial advisor or debt collector or something . Here in America, the vast majority of people have zero understanding of Wall Street and don’t know the difference between investment bankers and a mortgage loan officer for young couples buying a starter home.
Medical doctors and guys who fly jumbo jets for major airlines have “prestige” with the general public. We do not. There are at least a hundred people in various financial related roles for every one person who’s an actual IB guy or buy side decision maker. 98% of people you talk to who aren’t connected to the industry are assuming you’re just someone making a little bit above the median salary working in a dull corporate role.
This is totally real/a valid perspective as well but I mean this more for the perception others have. I work on the buy side as well which is why this happens. As in, what you're saying of them thinking you're just making around median hasn't been my experience and it's usually people hyperbolizing on your behalf. Sure most people don't understand exactly what it is I do but they hear it and assume the prestige and snobbery and stupid high pay. People always expecting you to do more, or shell out more money for things, or questioning why you care and won't blow more cash on needless stuff when you can clearly afford it (I try to live below my means mostly).
I just say I'm an engineer
Why the fuck would they need to know
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