3 ms·

I've noticed that on trading floors. Why do traders keep bats at their desks? Are they actually intimating threats of violence to support staff who are stuck on

• yellowstuff 10y ago
  I think the bats are mostly intended to be humorous, but at least occasionally they are actually used as weapons. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-12/ex-barclays-trader-in-libor-case-says-his-boss-hit-him-with-bat http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-12/ex-barclay...
  • rz2k 10y ago
    Hitting someone with a 12-inch bat is probably better than stabbing a cab driver with a penknife.[1] [1] http://dealbreaker.com/2012/12/in-wake-of-exec-accidentally-stabbing-a-cab-driver-morgan-stanley-insists-you-ask-what-would-the-post-say/ http://dealbreaker.com/2012/12/in-wake-of-exec-accidentally-...
• andy_wrote 10y ago
  The only time I've actually seen a bat on the trading floor was as a branded piece of swag from the BATS exchange: https://www.batstrading.com/ https://www.batstrading.com/
• Annatar 10y ago
  Yes. It's a passive-aggressive tactic of a veiled threat. However, the logical among you will realize, over time, that those people are insecure weaklings and that they are bluffing. They are basically child bullies dressed in suits and wearing ties. Once confronted, they will attempt to outwit their opponent until faced with undeniable facts. When this happens, they break down. It also seems to be a rite of passage for anyone dealing with them, otherwise they show no respect.