The Big Blank

You get what you like.

Booker is back after getting something to chew on. This will obviously be on the desk. No luxury of sitting in the cafe.

Trader - Hey what happened to that trade I can't find it. Neither can the client.
Booker - Oh ....that was modified.
Trader - WHAT !!!! I have been looking for it for last one hour. So was our client. Bullshit. Why didn't you tell me?
Booker - I ..I..mailed you the new Id.
Trader - MAILED IT. I get f#$%%#$ hundreds of email everyday. I have got calls to make. I have trades to do. I have clients to attend to. And you sent a f#$%%#$ email. And you expect me to read that. You sit just 20 m away from me and you need to mail this. Next time shout out, tap me on the shoulder, somehow engage my attention and let me know. Am I f#$%%#$ clear. Bloody hell you wasted my 2.5 hours for this......Mate this is a sensitive business you know that. I am putting my ass on fire here man!!. Be a little considerate......huhhhh....Why am I sitting here, going through this crap, when I should be at a birthday party...and it goes on and on.
(BTW the traders are the earliest leaving people on the floor)

Next day (similar settings)- Hurry up with these trades. We need to be fast. So and so client was saying it is nice to be trading with the slowest brokers on this planet..... that will be us. Yeah the same client I shouted about. ... (With a sweet smile and a friendly squeeze on the shoulder) Mate don't mind yester evening. So, lets get going this day.

On once a year day when the index fell around 4%. A million might have been lost between 3-4 people with similar positions. Emotions are high;Tempers are flaying. Two traders across the desk.
Trader1 - Dude I told you about telling me before you sell that off.
Trader2 - Yeah....I was going to.

Trader1 - Do you think I am stupid ....dont you bullshit me.
Trader2 - Yeah may be thats why I didn't tell you.

Trader1 - Ok thats it I am coming over to smash you like a bug.

Poeple around. - heyyyy lets cool off!!
Trader1 - heee heee heee.....:)

First thing I was told when I came here is don't mind when somebody shouts at you. And I have seen people shout at each other just before lunch and go down together to the cafe smiling like bosom buddies. Nothing is personal. Everything is business.

Among Equals
A single sales trader engaged three risk management guys in an argument for over an hour on a 40 million exposure they were objecting against. I was sitting close by and can easily say that the trader was hands down winner. Though finally he has to clean out the position. :)

The guy next to me is asking how is Bombay University. I was like, which one was this so went to the Indian style of ghal mel non committal comments. "Yeah the university is top tier in India but nothing compared to Engineering colleges. In pure sciences might be among the top ones in India" etc. etc. This is that typical Indain way of saying "Yes" and head nodding sideways.

posted by Pankaj Jain @ 6:32 PM