2 ms·

My several year stint with high tech finance (HFT and asset management) illustrated just how much of a "boys' game" it was. I was never aware of physical aggre

by blunte 9y ago

My several year stint with high tech finance (HFT and asset management) illustrated just how much of a "boys' game" it was. I was never aware of physical aggression, but there was absolutely a hedonistic power-driven male culture. Also, as an American, I was shocked at what was apparently "allowed" in Dutch culture. They don't suffer from the severity (and frequency?) of lawsuits as in the US, so there are few things you cannot say out loud to or in front of colleagues. Or at least that was my experience. OTOH, I know that more than one of the women who made up a very small minority at the company appeared to trade their charms for benefits. Not saying this is good or right, but it did seem there was an exchange of sorts.

the-dude 9y ago
I agree we are not sugar coating much : but what was your beef ?
- blunte 9y ago
  My beef is with the mentality that often goes along with money. For some reasons, people making a lot or handling a lot of money often act superior - above the law, above the rest of society, and basically above anyone else who is not in their "echelon". And since most companies, esp finance and tech are largely run by men, it ends up promoting power and dominance over others - especially women they desire. You can look at the current state of global wealth and politics to see the superiority complex and the above-the-law behavior. So when dotcom happened, and when it had its resurgence in the Google era, this bro-culture developed partly due to the money and exclusivity that went with being a west coast "engineer". As for Dutch behavior in the office, it's definitely more entertaining and amusing. But I would not want to be an attractive AND brainy woman in fintech. Their actual achievements would be inseparable from their looks, perhaps in the way that a decent rich person has difficulty knowing if the friends circling around are friends for good reasons or for potential financial benefits.

by blunte 9y ago

the-dude 9y ago

I agree we are not sugar coating much : but what was your beef ?

blunte 9y ago
My beef is with the mentality that often goes along with money. For some reasons, people making a lot or handling a lot of money often act superior - above the law, above the rest of society, and basically above anyone else who is not in their "echelon". And since most companies, esp finance and tech are largely run by men, it ends up promoting power and dominance over others - especially women they desire. You can look at the current state of global wealth and politics to see the superiority complex and the above-the-law behavior. So when dotcom happened, and when it had its resurgence in the Google era, this bro-culture developed partly due to the money and exclusivity that went with being a west coast "engineer". As for Dutch behavior in the office, it's definitely more entertaining and amusing. But I would not want to be an attractive AND brainy woman in fintech. Their actual achievements would be inseparable from their looks, perhaps in the way that a decent rich person has difficulty knowing if the friends circling around are friends for good reasons or for potential financial benefits.