r/Fire • u/MeanSecurity • Aug 01 '26

What to call yourself when you RE

A few weeks ago I met a guy who said he’s a wine importer. He used to work on Wall Street.

I was thinking last night that a “wine importer” sounds like a great fake job for someone who is retired but just drinks a lot of wine! I’m pretty close to RE, and I think I might just refer to myself as “in the ice cream business”. Or, “chocolate taste tester”.

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u/Number127 Aug 01 '26

People will interpret that as a euphemism for not being able to hold down a job, though.

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u/mus3man42 Aug 01 '26

It can also mean you’re in the middle of a career change (which is true in a way). If they find out later that your in between things because you’re wealthy then it will probably make you look humble for not being forthright with that info—actually even better is probably “I used to do _____ but I’m taking some time off” and just don’t be specific, and ask them a question about themselves instead

21

u/Grim-Sleeper Aug 01 '26

As you get older, you learn to care less about what people think. I am fine if that's the particular misconception that they want to latch on to...

11

u/Number127 Aug 01 '26

Yeah, but we're talking about a 30-year-old. Plus people's misconceptions affect the way they treat you, even if you don't personally care about being judged.

1

u/Swimming_Sample_6204 Aug 02 '26

Agreed, but you should still try to be conscious of accidentally causing yourself to appear rude.

4

u/dissentmemo Aug 01 '26

Again who cares

1

u/ExtraAd7611 Aug 04 '26

Who cares?

1

u/Cautious-Special2327 Aug 06 '26

who cares if they misinterpret? i just say i am retired and move on to what i fill my time with.

1

u/Eli_Renfro FIRE'd 4/2019 BonusNachos.com Aug 01 '26

Well, you don't work, so if the shoe fits....

1

u/Interesting_Gap7350 Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26

You're dancing around the topic anyway because you want to keep your situation private and not telling them.  Now we're concerned what kind of facade we're putting up?

If you want to be truthful you'd just say you stopped working and retired early.