[Directional]

Originally Posted by SOCRATES

Yes, I do, and what about the other Yokel who insisted on attending the Annual Banquet of the Mayor of the City of London dressed in a lounge suit instead of Tails like everybody else ?

Sartorial Hooliganism and Rock Bottom Crass Ignorance Personified.

Surely Moss Bros would rent him a proper tail suit if he does not himself own one.

was it common for floor traders to be invited to such highbrow society events?

[SOCRATES]

Originally Posted by Arbitrageur

was it common for floor traders to be invited to such highbrow society events?

Common floor traders are not invited to such highbrow events as you put it, but however, the individuals so invited would be expected at least to observe the bare minimum sartorial standard and not succeed in portraying themselves as yokels to the embarrassment of their fellow diners and the consternation of the nation. It is plain to see if you look at it reported on TV. So you don't have to be present yourself there to observe it and take note of it, as it is plain for all to see. Whether it is understood or not is another matter altogether.

[A Dashing Blade]

Originally Posted by SOCRATES

And does anyone remember when ladies were first admitted on the floor of the London Stock Exchange . . .

That's before my time but, many years ago in the late 80's I did work alongside Susan Shaw who was the first female stockbroker (and a very nice lady she was too).

[GammaJammer]

I also remember when an american options trader, who was a mate of my boss, came back after a trip home to Chicago with some special pit trading shoes he'd bought there. They were like normal slip ons but with the biggest rubber wedge heels you have ever seen. They added like 3 inches to his height or something.

Suffice to say when he took his place in the pit the next morning he got absolutely caned. Highlight of the day was when he fell off one of the steps wearing the things. Place erupted and trading stopped for a few seconds while everyone bundled him while he was on the floor.

http://www.chicagohistory.org/histor...ifact_0205.asp

Here's a link to show I'm not making this stuff up.

GJ

[Directional]

I liked this story from the IPE floor, when greenpeace tried to stop oil futures trading:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...487741,00.html

would be great to hear from anyone who was actually in there thumping the hippies!

[turtle trader]

Originally Posted by Arbitrageur

I liked this story from the IPE floor, when greenpeace tried to stop oil futures trading:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...487741,00.html

would be great to hear from anyone who was actually in there thumping the hippies!

Not quite in that league, but I once had the pleasure of removing a bunch of 'SHAC' (Stop Huntingon Animal Cruelty) protestors from the premises of a broker I was working at. There was a bit if a stand off for a while with about a dozen protestors pushing on one side of a glass door, and a similar numbers of dealers on the other ... I happened to be in the lobby so was on the same side as the protestors, watching on with mild amusement until the door shattered. One of our guys got a slight cut, so we considered them fair game after that - security cameras prevented too much aggression ... but I had to knock open that heavy wooden fire door with something!

[GammaJammer]

Originally Posted by Arbitrageur

I liked this story from the IPE floor, when greenpeace tried to stop oil futures trading:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...487741,00.html

would be great to hear from anyone who was actually in there thumping the hippies!

Wasn't there (never been on the IPE floor) but heard a story that absolutely sickened me when they tried to storm Liffe during the first May Day protests.

Apparently after smashing up the Merc dealership on the other side of Lower Thames Street, some idiots decreed that ANY cars (and their drivers) were fair game. I heard that some poor sod driving down the road at the time had to slam on the brakes to avoid a hastily made roadblock. He was dragged from his apparently normal, non luxury motor and bleach was chucked over both person and car.

I heard this from enough independant sources to think it could be true. Just trying to make the point that it's not just the floor traders who are capable of acting like animals.

GJ

[Directional]

i personally think the IPE traders were well within their rights to kick hippie ass... they were only responding to a direct attack on their livelihood. Whatever Greenpeace say, they werent there to "discuss their point of view" - they were threatening the personal financial situation and livelihood of every trader on the floor. I am all for taking steps to control climate change, but those tactics are not the way to acheive meaningful dialogue.

I also think the tactics employed by SHAC and other activist groups against legitimate businesses are nothing less than terrorism by a different name.

thoughts for a different thread anyhow, this thread is for laughs.