"So ...What do you do for a living?"

[WallaseyWayne]

Hi all
I have traded full time now for about 2 years and I'm beginning to dread the question from people I meet "what do you do for a living?".
I find myself waffling on about backing and laying and I can tell most people are confused at just the mention of the word Betfair, so was just wondering if anyone has a nice 1 to 2 sentence answer that describes what we do without over complicating it?

[sdistefano]

If I'm in a party I'll probably say 'computer sh*t'
If I want it to sound serious I'll say 'professional gambler',
If I need to explain it I'll say I bet in UK horse racing, without getting into more detail.
I know that from our perspective trading is not exactly gambling, but it is a form of gambling and I think it explains enough to someone outside the betting world.

[aussie39]

I tell those who are interested I work for the secret service. My children do the same. I than tell those who ask other questions that I really cannot say any more.
It works

[Bet Angel]

If I say I am a gambler it is met with general discontent, but if I say I'm a porn star the conversation livens up a bit.

[rhysmr2]

I say "I'm a trader on online exchanges, it's a bit like stocks and shares."

[WallaseyWayne]

"I'm a trader on online exchanges, it's a bit like stocks and shares."

Nice ... its simple and to the point think I'll use that or just go with "i'm a porn star"

[andyfuller]

I like to have some fun with it, I quite like to just say I am retired - if you are young like me people look puzzled then just make up some story, I usually go for the online company that I floated on the stock market or I also like the one from some film (can't remember which) my father wrote such and such Christmas song and I get the royalties every time it is played on the TV or Radio or bought

Remember most of the time people are asking you this question is just because the conversation is struggling usually at a wedding or the like where you don't know the person from Adam so why be boring and just give them the truth - have a bit of fun.

[MethodMan]

Andy - The movie you're thinking of is About A Boy.

I tell people that I buy and sell gambling liabilities in the same way that people buy and sell shares on the stock exchange, which is usually met with blank stares.

If you want to have a bit of fun with it then telling people you're either a police informer, just been released from prison or under the witness relocation program are all good.

[LeTiss]

I always tell people I'm a betting trader. It's like being a stock broker, except I make money on the fluctuation of betting prices not share prices