"If you ever care to see how all the world's most awful jokes spread, spend a day on a bond trading desk. When the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated, six people called me from six points on the globe to explain that NASA stands for 'Need Another Seven Astronauts. "
...That's it? If you think that's an example of the world's most awful jokes, I have some news for you. You should probably spend some time in just about any other industry, or even in a high school.
It's unfair to stereotype bankers this way. You could find books that similarly portray politicians, lawyers, etc. I know a few bankers and they're not like that at all. It's a mixed bag.
I've also heard far worse jokes in the kitchen of a restaurant. You want to be offended? Thems' a good place to start.
You give them too much credit; check out twitter.com/GSElevator for typical banker humor. Bankers pride themselves on borderline-sociopathic cynicism mixed with arrogance and workaholism. It's not pretty.
I don't think there's any real proof those tweets are submitted based on real experiences, to be fair. I know a few bankers, and I've spent holidays with them even. The ones I have seen are pleasant, polite, and more than willing to talk about things other than money/politics/things they're typically stereotyped with.
Not that I'm saying they're all like that. But they're not all arrogant or cynical. Maybe workaholics.
On the one hand, no, that sort of cavalier attitude wouldn't be prudent, and most human beings wouldn't say things like that publicly (even sociopaths, who ironically might be less likely to do so).
On the other hand, this sort of humor emerges even in high school among guys. If a group of bankers not very connected to him hear about it, I could see a joke like that beinf said. But the same could be said of any profession. That's humanity for ya.
Like any high pressure job, there is a certain amount of gallows humour. This is no different than what you would find amongst, say, A&E (ER) medical staff.
