Working on Wall Street used to have glamor to it—but now, saying you work at JPMorgan or Goldman Sachs immediately establishes you as “one of them,” the New York Times reports. Wall Streeters are facing a new pariah status, and many believe they’re taking an unfair share of heat when there’s plenty of blame to go around—to imprudent homeowners, for example.
“I’d almost rather say I’m a pornographer,” said one retired Wall Street executive. “At least that’s a business that people understand.” And it’s tougher in the office, as amenities like water coolers, free snacks, and bonuses disappear. Still, things could be worse: Though protesters have been demonstrating at the New York Stock Exchange, in 1920 a bomb killed 30 at JPMorgan’s offices. (More Wall Street stories.)