Going through some stuff I ran across an old picture some of y'all may find pretty cool. In 2000 we went on a family trip with another family that we are good friends with to New York. The day we were coming home my dad forced the whole group to go by the NYSE and wait in line to go in and watch the opening bell (my dad and the other dad are big traders).
While walking around and looking through the windows in the balcony viewing area before the market opened, a few suits kept eye balling us and one guy came up to my dad and asked if he was an investor. My dad said "I am, but I wish I wasn't right now" to which the guys laughed and said one second. A minute later Dick Grasso came up to us and asked if our two families wanted to ring the bell. My dad laughed thinking it was a prank of some kind and they said it was absolutely legit and to follow them.
We got escorted to the bell balcony and given a quick run down which basically was clap continuously, look at the cameras and smile. I was 12 so pretty oblivious to how awesome this really was, but thought it was neat. I'm wearing an A&M hat and a maroon/grey sweater. Hard to see, but it's there.
After the ringing of the bell we were escorted to floor where guys weee yelling, paper was flying and cameras were rolling. We were interviewed by Maria Bartiromo and when Mr Grasso asked me and my friend if we were traders of course we said yes. He looked at me and asked what I was invested in and I said "Qualcomm!" with a big smile. He grabbed his heart and said "owww" like he had just been shot. That was one of the only companies I knew from hearing my dad talk. Probably should have said something on the right exchange.
Anyways, we got a tour and had a fun time. That trip got me interested in the market and was part of the reason I majored in Business at A&M and like trading now.
Pictures for proof.
While walking around and looking through the windows in the balcony viewing area before the market opened, a few suits kept eye balling us and one guy came up to my dad and asked if he was an investor. My dad said "I am, but I wish I wasn't right now" to which the guys laughed and said one second. A minute later Dick Grasso came up to us and asked if our two families wanted to ring the bell. My dad laughed thinking it was a prank of some kind and they said it was absolutely legit and to follow them.
We got escorted to the bell balcony and given a quick run down which basically was clap continuously, look at the cameras and smile. I was 12 so pretty oblivious to how awesome this really was, but thought it was neat. I'm wearing an A&M hat and a maroon/grey sweater. Hard to see, but it's there.
After the ringing of the bell we were escorted to floor where guys weee yelling, paper was flying and cameras were rolling. We were interviewed by Maria Bartiromo and when Mr Grasso asked me and my friend if we were traders of course we said yes. He looked at me and asked what I was invested in and I said "Qualcomm!" with a big smile. He grabbed his heart and said "owww" like he had just been shot. That was one of the only companies I knew from hearing my dad talk. Probably should have said something on the right exchange.
Anyways, we got a tour and had a fun time. That trip got me interested in the market and was part of the reason I majored in Business at A&M and like trading now.
Pictures for proof.
