Are You Kidding Me???

I had a meeting with a male prospect on Saturday regarding a blogging opportunity.  This dude veered off the blogging path on so many levels.  We did have a discussion on Black history and the state of Black Americans today, which wasn’t business-related, but it wasn’t inappropriate conversation either.

First, he used sex as an analogy during our conversation.  Totally not cool.

Second, he asked me if he could be my “friend.” Huh? Dude, I just met you.  And quite frankly, I’m not impressed.

Third, he was going to make a statement and prefaced it with, “You’re going to slap me.” That told me that he was totally out of pocket.  For real.  That was my cue to snap. I did tell him that I would slap him, but I would lose any respect that I had for him.

Because of my previous foot-in-mouth situations, I didn’t snap.  Words can never be retracted.  And in my case, it’s HOW I say things.  So, I’m learning the art of being quiet until I can write out what I want to say and practice HOW to say it.

I sent him an e-mail declining to work with him because of those three incidents.  Check out his response.

“I’m sorry.  I was sexually attracted to you. Your sexual orientation never came out in our previous conversations.  I didn’t realize you were gay. Please forgive me.”

Are you kidding me????? Ok, I know men and women think differently, so I’m going to share my womanly views from a professional woman’s point of view.

First of all, it was a business meeting. Personal topics should never be discussed.  If they arise, it is best to change the subject immediately. In my situation, I thought my failure to respond would give dude a clue.  Not so.  Next time, I’m going to share my thoughts in a firm but professional tone, then change the topic.

Secondly, even if you are attracted to someone sexually, you don’t say stupid s**t to get your point across.

Thirdly, why I gotta be gay because I demand respect as a woman?  And a professional woman at that.

As an entrepreneur, I am my business, and I want to be take seriously.  Looking younger than my years impacts how people perceive and receive me.  In the final analysis, though, I EXPECT respect because that’s what I give.