I discovered the discipline of economics as a college student in the late 1960s. I studied it for many, many years, and one of my inner secrets is that I consider myself an economist. Having said that, if people ask me what I am, I normally answer, “I’m an old casino guy.” It is much safer and more respected than suggesting I am an economist.
People find an old casino guy somewhat interesting and redeeming. An economist, on the other hand, not so much.
Mentioning that I consider myself to be an economist generally starts a series of jokes about the profession.
