# NO, buy, buy, buy. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-buy-buy-buy/57277 "2001-03-08T23:11:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-buy-buy-buy/57277/1 "2001-03-08T23:11:26Z")
What is it those guys on the stockmarket floor are doing when they start shouting and pointing? Who can hear or see what they’re shouting or looking at. I thought all the buying and selling was done by some guy behind a computer screen with a phone and a pair of red braces (probably.) ---
**Author:** ![Caldazar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2001, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-buy-buy-buy/57277/2 "2001-03-08T23:43:00Z")
They are yelling and pointing at each other, trying to make trades. When the floor broker receives an order for a security, he or she heads over to a trading area where that particular security is designated to be sold. There, the broker, along with any other potential buyers, meet up with the seller(s). An auction ensues. When a buyer and seller agree on a price, the trade is recorded on the applicable computer system. At least, that’s the oversimplified version. What actually takes place is far more involved and complex. For a more detailed description of the trading process, see: [http://www.nyse.com/floor/floor.html](http://www.nyse.com/floor/floor.html) (click on the “Anatomy of a trade” link on the left navigation bar). ---
**Author:** ![Caldazar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2001, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-buy-buy-buy/57277/3 "2001-03-08T23:54:27Z")
The above only applies to stock exchanges that have trading floors. NASDAQ, for instance, is a floorless exchange, and all trading is handled electronically.