At a recent dinner party I was asked what I did and I said I was an investment banker. I might as well have said I was a paedophile. Suddenly the whole table – all friends of my wife from the art world – turned on me. I tried to defend myself by saying that I had nothing to be ashamed of in the work that I do in M&A, but the more I argued the more hostile the other guests became. Next time this happens should I accept guilt for what is not my fault, or should I lie and say I am a librarian?
Investment banker, male, 42
Lucy's answer
I cannot work out if your question is a genuine inquiry about dinner party etiquette or a howl of pain at the unfairness of life.