A client basically calls your son a dirtbag. When he was misunderstood. Would you be in defense of your son or because it is business overlook the comment… thoughts?
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I would need more context to make a decision.
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
My son would choke him down if he didn't shut up. He doesn't have much tolerance for that kind of thing. If he didn't, I would. Don't let nobody mess with family, for love or money.
it was a real technical situation. spoke w. an attorney about what i did. attorney said the clients assumptions were hearsay. my parent choose to not defend an unfriendly term that the client used against me repeatedly. parent said they didnt know all the details... kinda bothered. thought they would defend regardless...
Since you have given no real details, keep in mind that my response is purely hypothetical. It has nothing to do with what really happened, because I have no idea what really happened.If your child acted like a dirt bag and someone called them on it, would you defend them?
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
In professional situations - behave like a professional. Sure the job site is the client's home but it is also your place of business, for the time being. Command the respect. No yelling. No foul language. No name calling. It's pretty easy to call a person on this and set them straight without rearranging their face. "I understand this is your home but when I am working here I prefer to work in a friendly environment. I am sure you expect the same where you work."
Wouldn't make it personal. Keep it professional.
I get you are the one on the receiving end. It's unfortunate when a parent doesn't back you up.
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Keep the situation as professional as you would about any employee... so long as the incident didn't become abusive. "Sticks and stones" comes to mind.
I would certainly put forth a reasonable defense of family or employee in any situation but if their actions had warranted a criticism, then sometimes that happens.
Because the criticism was directed at you, you may be taking a lot more seriously than if you were the third party looking at this more objectively.
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Other than the fact that you are the son, you say almost nothing of the details to be able to form an opinion.
Which might be a good thing.
But no, I would definitely not defend son come hell or high water. i'd be professional and see if I could sort it out. Probably tell the son to grow a thicker skin.
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The son better have just learned a lifelong lesson about people and business. Daddy won't be around to help forever.
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A client basically calls your son a dirtbag.
The word 'basically' above tells me that the specifics are missing and this was how you interpreted what was said. Please post what actually happened.
As others have noted, we're lacking details.
I find it interesting that you consulted a lawyer on this, which suggests (but doesn't prove) that there are some significant issues which haven't been mentioned.
"hear say" is essentially second hand information which is inadmissible in court. It does not necessarily mean it is untrue
The clients apparently believe something they heard about you. Their response appears to be over the top, but if what they heard is scummy enough, maybe it is proportional to what they believe.
Rather than wondering if your parent should have defended you (and trying to get opinions on that), perhaps you should give some thought as to how to best correct what the clients believe, if wildly erroneous.
Their impression of you could have some effect on your parent's business and reputation, so take his/her advice and views into consideration before addressing the clients.
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http://rjw-progressive.blogspot.com/
Many good thoughts written here. I agree with the need for professionalism, and further it by suggesting that even if you don't want to work with THIS client again, bad press is disastrous - especially in this economy. YOU need to calm their potential for bad mouthing your business.
Whether its true or not is almost immaterial - people react to their perceptions - not to reality. If the situation can't be explained away, could you broach it as 'I'm sorry that you feel that way, but he is my boy & I'd like to avoid that topic while we're working together." This doesn't put you on a 'side' with or against your son, or the client.
Best luck with both of them.
It invovled a client and his daughter. I believe he was trying to get me for sexual harrasment (which i didnt do- never touched her, never asked her out). The father was only hearing her side of the story. He beleived I wasnt making repairs to a property because she didnt want to go out with me. What surpised me is that a family member who knows my personality didnt stand behind me (I would never do such a thing). I guess the moral is to never be by yourself with a lady where she could later accuse you. (Similar to a male dentist not wanting to work on a patient without another coworker in the same room).
I have appreaciated everyones comments...
Edited 7/16/2009 7:40 pm ET by bc
Edited 7/16/2009 7:40 pm ET by bc
remember the movie "Roadhouse" never get mad. it business not personel. well what if somebody call my mama a ...... well is she, and then walk him to the door.
I guess the moral is to never be by yourself with a lady where she could later accuse you.
Sounds like a peculiar situation, one which might happen to anyone.
I've made it my policy to close my job sites to all family members, mainly to avoid interruptions by the clients. This policy would work in your favor by keeping all exchanges on a professional level, at a time of day which suits you.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=122392.17
You don't have to touch her or ask her out to sexually harrass her....even in the legal sense much less in the intrepretation of the girl and the client. Remember this, preception is reality.
- never touched her, never asked her out
Hell, bud--you're not even allowed to look at her...even if she falls outta her tank top every time she breathes.
OTOH, maybe that was the problem? You didn't look...and she got all insulted?
Ain't it grand, being a man? No matter whatcha do, yer wrong....
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
First - is your son a dirtbag?
Forrest - just trying to clarify
lol! no, it was me... well mabye...
All men are dirtbags by definition.
Little boys are just dirtbags-in-training. Teenagers are spherical dirtbags. Young men are macho dirtbags. Middle-aged men are divorced, broke, childless dirtbags.
And old men are wannabees....
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....