I was a banker once, and a damned sorry one at that. I wasn't worth a shit at accounting in either undergrad or grad school and screwing up financial analysis was second nature to me. I don't recall a lot of Jewish guys (or gals) in the banks I worked for--mostly it was pasty faced Anglos or Hispanics dressed up like tight assed white guys (or gals)--all living lives of quiet desperation. I did learn some useful things during my years lending money and getting yelled at by the bank, bank examiners, customers, and anyone else that I came into contact:
1. One of the last things that people want to give up when they've blown through daddy's money or their money or the money they screwed someone else over is the country club membership. That's a big deal to those desperately needing that type of affirmation of whatever they think they are or should be. They'll even hock jewelry, first.
2. Some of the stoutest (that's a popular lending term) customers were guys who came in dressed modestly without any jewelry or other outward signs of success. Conversely, I've sat down with many guys with Rolexes and gold shit all over their hands, neck, etc. who were anxious to once again extend that 90 day unsecured loan. That's a lesson to know for virtually any business setting.
3. A lot of the folks driving the nicest vehicles, living in swanky homes, etc., etc., are leveraged to the max--they don't have a pot to piss in. Keeping up with the Jones' is a fool's errand.
4. Debt is not a good thing. Avoid it.
5. A career in banking is not any fun unless your dad owns the bank and he'll someday die and then you get to own the bank. Otherwise, you have to answer to too many damn people who are always constipated.
6. Banks are constantly attempting to figure out how to get rid of their people. Who the hell wants to work for an entity that is always working on a way to replace you?
7. I met Mrs. Bulba while working at a bank. I've had to buy jewelry and help measure drapes, as a result.
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