Many of you got your panties in a twist yesterday over that fact that Lehman Brothers CFO Erin Callan "stands out" by wearing designer clothes, has a personal shopper and just generally doesn't look like a slob when she comes into the office, because it means she's not "focused." (If she wore unattractive pantsuits and had cookie crumbs running down her shirt, the climate at LEH would be markedly different than it is today. It'd practically be Goldman!* Erin says she wants everyone to stop comparing the Brothers to Bear, but at least sartorially speaking, they're looking pretty similar, considering that on the days he made it into the office, Jimmy Cayne was known to wear micro-minis, pearl thongs, and stilettos that could take an eye out, which BSC chronicler Charlie Gasparino believes was a major factor in the firm's demise.)
But apparently, Callan's focus on fashion isn't so much a "chick thing," or a sign that she doesn't have what it takes to hack it than it is a requirement of the job, lest she be taken to task by clotheshorse Dick Fuld who, on the DL, is placing calls 'round the clock in the hopes of landing a guest spot on the next season of Project Runway.
*Kidding, of course, though it's pretty well-known that the secret to GS's success = shlubbs.
On Saturday, Joseph M. Gregory, Lehman's president and chief operating officer, arrived at the office in an unfashionable green suit."What are you wearing?" Mr. Fuld bellowed.
Mr. Fuld then marched Mr. Gregory from office to office on the 31st floor to show off the outfit. "It was an attempt to make people laugh," one Lehman executive said.
Let this be a warning to all you Little Lehmans whose jobs are on the line.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 10:55AM
related: do you really think, DB, that Geithner's meeting is about a clearinghouse? Well, perhaps a one-off clearinghouse: i.e. what can this bunch of counterparties do to make sure that LEH stays in business.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:22AM
what a dick
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:22AM
Did Fuld really tell Erin she had better only come to the office in short skirts with waxed legs and no stockings? Because she could have one hell of a harassment case on her hand.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:24AM
what is a pearl thong
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:25AM
yuck that cannot be very good for the pearls.
Posted by Lowly Assistant , Jun 10, 2008 11:35AM
What can you expect? If you were playing ol' Card Shark Cayne, you'd want him wearing minimal apparel. Who knows where that lucky ace of spades came from. He's a goddamned magician of a man.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:46AM
As long as female execs don't wear white panty hose (and male execs don't wer blue shirts with white collars and cuffs) everything will be fine.
Yves Saint Bernard
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:47AM
Bess,
Erin Callan is a skank.
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 11:48AM
Bloomberg article todat says 25% of you New Yorkers have genital herpes.
At the Dallas equity office we just worry about hickeys.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 12:03PM
Traveled outside his state? Its Deleware, all he needs to do is lean left or right and he is in another state...should be called a "town" at best...
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 12:05PM
"traveled outside his mother's basement"
Posted by Anal_yst , Jun 10, 2008 12:37PM
@ 11:48
You do realize that counts all of new york, and the incidences are heavily skewed in certain demographic groups, as the article points out...
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 12:51PM
Bess versus "TGFD." This should be good. Time to mentally kick the feet up on the desk, grab some popcorn and pop open a beer.
Posted by big r , Jun 10, 2008 1:13PM
yikes. would not want bess ever mad at me.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:18PM
i would think the argument for her being a skank is that aside from a few glamour photos most of the shots of her he can find are not exactly attractive.
but since this dude from del likes to hump grannies, that is probably moot for him.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:23PM
the guy from del thinks erin is a skank because he's seen a picture of her in a short skirt and high heels. not really the markings of a 'skank' in this day and age, but you have to remember, TGFD is 175 years old, and when he was a young man, any lady who dressed like this was most definitely a "loose woman."
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:24PM
My comment is forthcoming. Please stand by.
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:32PM
oh it's on like a pearl thong!
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:50PM
pearl thongs hurt my toes.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:57PM
If someone could write a book about the successes of women at a certain company, and how, all too often it was more about, WHO YOU CAN DO(and how), instead of what you know, would it sell?
I suppose it can't be too hard to break the glass ceiling if you hump with your back pressed firmly upon it.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 1:58PM
Hey, Bess, I posted a comment on Erin Callan yesterday. I have nothing against Erin Callan wearing designer clothes, using a personal shopper, and looking pulled-together when she comes into the office.
My person opinion is that buying and wearing finely made clothing is a legitimate pleasure and taking pride in your appearance is a mark of self-esteem. If Erin Callan doesn't have the time to shop for clothes, using a personal shopper is a reasonable thing to do for a person earning her income.
My comment went to the wisdom of becoming high-profile in the media in a way that focuses in part on appearance. I think becoming high-profile in any way is inherently risky, because there are always those who will love to see a famous person fail. If you start out with the media succeeding in focussing on your appearance, you will have a hard time getting them off that as events progress.
With Lehman in the shape that it's in, Erin Callan is going to have a hard time establishing the credibility of the job she's doing and the numbers she's putting forward, and her appearance, as long as she is appropriately dressed for business, will have nothing to do with it. I wish her the best of luck in this respect.
I firmly believe that is unwise for a woman to discuss her clothes-shopping strategies with a reporter. That the topic comes up and is duly reported reflects an unspoken assumption that clothes-shopping is a major concern in a woman's life in a way that it is not for men. How many CFO's who are men discuss their clothes-shopping preferences in a first interview?
I emphatically disagree that women should dress like men in the work-place. I think women should feel free to wear clothes that are well-made, comfortable, attractive, and reflect their individuality.
There are plenty of things in one's personal life that one wouldn't respond to if asked by a reporter, or worse, volunteer to a reporter. Long-time survival skills include knowing when to say nothing but smile warmly and where to draw boundaries.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:02PM
By the way, Bess, your comment about Jimmy Cayne's micro-minis, pearl thongs, and stilettos that could take an eye out is really funny.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:20PM
Bess,
Thank you for your post at 11:56. I sent you the one-liner “skank” comment because you removed my earlier 3-liner. Why did you do that? It seemed innocuous enough.
Why is Erin a skank? For someone who is only 42, Erin is remarkably poorly preserved. That leathery-looking, too much sun, heavily blemished skin for starters. She has the hands of a 60+ year-old woman. Her legs are thin and lack shape and definition. Hair is unnatural, dyed, with the sheen that comes from too many harsh chemicals. In and of themselves, those characteristics do not make a skank. Erin achieves that distinction because she has allowed herself to become somewhat of a media spectacle. She prances, struts, wears tasteless and revealing clothing, lacks modesty, behaves arrogantly, and considers herself to be a fashionista. That “personal shopper” business is ludicrous. In summary, what puts her over the top in the skank column is that she looks like she needs a good scrubbing.
Women are at somewhat of a disadvantage in business. Dressing conservatively and tastefully and carrying themselves with dignity helps them. Erin does the opposite.
As for any real or imaginary sexual encounters I’ve had with Erin, I’ve had none. Nor do I desire any. She has nothing I want, and I do mean nothing.
Beth, nothing is ever proven on a site like db. I’m surprised that you have invited me do so. I do like your site though. It is very good.
I had no idea that the lads on db “look up to me” as you say. You’ve received email requests for more episodes in my cougar adventures? Amazing! The comments I read were all negative. It seemed that no one wanted to hear past my encounter with Elizabeth when I was 17. I guess my friend’s mother in the bikini showing me that cameltoe at poolside that same summer might yet be interesting to them. What do you think?
Bess, you’re right. I don’t leave Delaware much. In fact, I rarely leave my zip code. I don’t need to. But on the occasions when I do, Maine, parts of Cape Cod, Block Island, Newport, Eastern CT coast, Shelter Island/Greenport, Oyster Bay, and yes Manhattan too are some of my favorite destinations. Plenty of friends on the UES I can stay with. One of my clubs is in Manhattan. I don’t get there as often as I’d like though.
Before anyone starts trying to blast me about my own shortcomings, I will relate something that happened late last Sunday afternoon, just two days ago. My wife and I were at the pool of one of our local clubs, and we were talking to a woman we know, 44, slim, attractive, red hair, nice teeth, bikini. The subject of age came up. When I told her that I’d be sixty on my next birthday, she said “ Really? I’m astonished. You look like a million bucks.” I took that as a complement, and we all laughed.
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:25PM
for those of us who caught it, TFGD, your earlier comment, which you posted twice was basically the same thing as the last one. paraphrasing but,
"erin callan is a skank.
why should we listen to her?
The Guy from Delaware"
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:35PM
" She has nothing I want, and I do mean nothing."
not even her vagina?
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:36PM
TGFD- no disrespect, and this has nothing to do with you being old, but you sound batshit fucking insane.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:38PM
Sounds like TGFD is a sailor. OK, I'll bite. Hit us with the friend's mom poolside cameltoe story.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:41PM
here's my question, TGFD. say, as you do, she is a "skank." who cares? do you think that affects the quality of her work? for example, you claim to be something of a Lothario. let's pretend we buy that. Does the number of V's you've stuck your D in make you a shittier bag boy?
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:42PM
@1:48,
Could you, per chance, believe Erin was questioned by the reporter as to where she acquires fine clothing, and how she shops? Could you possibly believe that a reporter would be interested in exploiting her by going outside of the usual questions a male CFO receives regarding work-related news? Do you honestly believe Erin got all, "You know, bob...fuck business. Fuck our balance sheet. Let's talk fashion, man. I'd be extremely happy if this interview went into another realm, focusing on fine linens and things. More prada, less 'liquidity' and all that bullshit."
You fucking dolt.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:48PM
@2:41 why is Del the only one at DB who is not allowed to say shit like that?
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:51PM
Dolt@2:42,
There was no "fucking dolt" @1:48.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 2:54PM
Fuck, you got me. I was so very anxious. The message was aimed at 1:58. My mistake will haunt me.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 3:06PM
Clown@2:41...
WTF are you babbling
about? "bag boy"? HaHa. You sound disconnected.
Erin's work matches her looks. Sub Par.
Clown@2:35...
Why would I be interested in Erin's vagina? It's made of the same skin as the rest of her.
Guest@2:38...
I like your post. Good insight. If you can drum up some more enthusiasm, I will put together something about Alexandra, my friend's mother and Elizabeth's older sister.
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 3:08PM
More anecdotes from The Guy, please. He is becoming part of the crazy landscape around here. Kind of like proxy access.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 3:33PM
@TGFD. Clown@2:41 here. I shouldn't have said 'bag boy,' because clearly you used my diss as an excuse to avoid the question. so my question remains-- why do you think erin's sex life would have any bearing on her work? i'm not asking for comparisons (i.e. "her work matches her looks. sub par.") i'm asking why you think what she does when she leaves the office would have an effect on what she does at the office. i brought you into the question because you have claimed, many times before, to have a lot of sex, so I was wondering if perhaps your views on erin came from the personal experience of fucking a lot and seeing it have an effect on the quality of your work.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 3:56PM
I'm not sure TGFD knows what the word "skank" actually means. He heard his grandkids say it and made assumptions...
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 4:30PM
This is the first time I've heard that TGFD is married. In many of his posts, he has claimed that "women of all ages" come on to him. He's 60 years old, married, and an absolute idiot, and "women of all ages" come on to him?
Erin Callan is a "skank" because (in TGFD's opinion) her skin is bad and she "prances, struts, wears tasteless and revealing clothing, lacks modesty, behaves arrogantly, and considers herself to be a fashionista." What is his basis for all of this? What TGFD has read into the WSJ article!
I've considered TGFD (and of course, his alter ego, TOGFD) to be a little short on marbles since he first started posting, but this post is pretty good evidence of what I've suspected all along.
Please, people, as much as you might enjoy the sideshow, don't encourage TGFD to provide his erotic memoirs. He goes to garage sales in Wilmington and gets soft porn from the fifties and posts it as his own experiences. Entertaining to some, but really sad and nauseating to others.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 4:47PM
@TGFD - Your 44 year old friend sounds interesting. My late wife was a red head...Redheads are certainly a different breed. BTW, I'm 52.
The Other Guy from Delaware
PS: Guest@4:30pm = asswipe
(You all knew I couldn't resist that one!)
Posted by Capitalist Infidel , Jun 10, 2008 4:48PM
TGFD, your skank comment is a vapid, desperate attempt at getting people to react to you. Please come up with a cogent point.
Delaware blows, so does talking about your money and "clubs" on an online message board.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 4:51PM
Clown@3:33, @2:41…
I like that word ‘clown’. It is my favorite pejorative noun. I am honored that you repeated it in identifying yourself today.
To answer your question: I have no idea about Erin’s sex life. I don’t recall ever saying anything about it. I don’t know if Erin “fucks a lot” as you say, and I really am not interested in that aspect of her life. The portions of her life that she has foolishly made public are what subject her to ridicule. I believe that she was seduced by the glamour effect of media exposure. Another poster alluded to that same exposure. I think that the media is eventually going to hurt her, just as they’ve done to others. I don’t know if her sex life affects her work either. Erin is very bright with experience in certain areas, but she is no match for those predatory jackals/hyenas in the media. I’m certain that they’ll eat her lunch for her. Those dogs have manipulated her, and she thinks that she is a star.
Erin looks like a skank to me. Whether her off-hours activities merit that or not, I don’t know. Perception is often more meaningful than reality. Just ask any voter on Election Day.
I have also have never “claimed, many times before, to have a lot of sex”. What I have claimed is that chicks of all ages come on to me, and they do. A full head of hair, being in decent physical shape, and good social connections don’t hurt either. I have claimed all of these attributes because they are true.
If I wanted to, I guess I could “have a lot of sex” with a number of those chicks; however, I am devoted to my wife. We are as one. I would never betray her. That 44 yr old redhead at the pool on Sunday would have been a lot more flirtatious had my wife not been present, but I would have been no less circumspect. I am flattered by the attention though.
What I have told you about is only one of my adventures in the past, one when I was 17. There are others, and I may share them. They are all true. If I sense more enthusiasm from the db posters, I will tell you about Alexandra and her cameltoe.
I don’t know what it is with those chicks. I can’t figure them out. I don’t really know.
The Guy from Delaware
p.s. NewClown@4:30pm…
You have no idea about whatever the hell it is you are trying to articulate.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 4:53PM
TGFD says "I have no idea about Erin’s sex life." and then "Erin looks like a skank to me."
Case closed.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 4:55PM
guy from del-- "I don’t recall ever saying anything about it." do you not understand what the definition of a 'skank' is or are you really that old that you can't remember what the basis of this entire thread was (hint: this comment:
Posted by guest, Jun 10, 2008 11:47AM
Bess,
Erin Callan is a skank.
The Guy from Delaware)
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 5:08PM
If you clowns @4:53 and @4:55 paid as much attention to your work as you do to my postings on db, perhaps you wouldn't be on the layoff chopping block.
You goons are addicted to nonsense.
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 5:16PM
um, it takes about .003 seconds to read your post "Erin Callan is a skank" but nice try, TGFD.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 5:17PM
@4:53, @4:55...
The word 'skank' is nothing new. The first time I heard it, I was in 6th grade.
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 5:17PM
@ TGFD
Well, you sure know how to open up a can of worms!
TOGFD
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 5:24PM
Actually, I liked 5th grade better than 6th. I had a seat that always gave me a great view up my teacher's skirt. She always kept me there.
I wonder if she knew...
The Guy from Delaware
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 5:31PM
@ TGFD , please do not tell us about your semi-sexual adventures. Imagined or otherwise. We respect your privacy. Please respect our gag reflexes.
i think I speak for all of us.
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 8:10PM
"it's pretty well-known that the secret to GS's success = shlubbs."
Posted by guest , Jun 10, 2008 10:15PM
Oh, Bess, you have unleashed the horror that is TGFD/TOGFD. New smarmy biographical details (a devoted marriage and a swank travel circuit) that are probably as bogus as the rest of his postings. Then he turns and snarls at Wall Streeters again. And finally, he begins posting to his alter ego.
I liked the comment from @5:31 pm and agree with it wholeheartedly.
Posted by Anal_yst , Jun 10, 2008 11:17PM
I'll move 5:31, amen brother (sista?)
Posted by guest , Jun 11, 2008 12:16AM
it's just a matter of time before erin takes over dick.
Posted by mrpink , Jun 11, 2008 2:08AM
Wow... my tenure stalking Credit Suisse men outside Shake Shack all day today caused me to miss all this stuff :(
I think re: Callan:
"Whoever can get the job done, play the best game of liar's poker, will win"
Women and men can play poker, but the person who wins is the person who can fool the fuck outta you. I think Callan's doing a good job of keeping an already bad-shitshow from turning into another BSC.
If 'Callan' were a woman or a man, I wouldn't care. I'm sick of the 'credit crisis'.
Some of you who know me (some from here, some in real life), I am somewhat of a fashionista.. ROFL
For those asking about the Chi interview: No word yet, I'm still primarily focused on NYC.
-mrp
Posted by guest , Jul 15, 2008 3:51PM
TGFD: Please shut up with the stories. There are other venues for that garbage, take it elsewhere. No one wants to hear it.
And, re: your 'skank' comments: That is also garbage. Keep it to yourself. I know Bess takes it to the limit, and I am very entertained by her columns myself, but there is context and there is satire, and then there is meanness and inappropriate commentary.
'Skank' is the type of word that is used by 17-year old male idiots from the open windows of passing cars, usually toward women who appear so atttractive to them that they feel they have no hope of ever deserving their attention. So they lash out with frustrated anger at someone who cannot defend themselves. Sound familiar much??
So thanks for raising the bar, TGFD. For a guy who claims enough years to know better, you sure know how to show your immaturity in as few words as possible.
Some Schlubb From New Jersey
Posted by Cincinnatus C , Sep 02, 2008 12:06PM
TGFD = TGFSaudiArabia...srsly, go back and read his rant using an arab accent..