brad4646 Posted June 17, 2010 Posted June 17, 2010 Hey guys, First, thank you for reading this. Normally, I'm very good at reading people and know what motives they have pertaining to their body language, but I can't figure this one out and I need some help. O.k, I'm a business owner and I have a client who is interested in buying a widget that needs to be engineered and developed by me. The first time we meet, it's strictly business for the first 30 minutes and then she starts talking about off topic events and being a little more friendly with me. This is sometimes normal for me and I really didn't pay any attention to it until the next meeting came about. The second meeting was to go over the preliminary design and to see what changes she wanted to make to them. Again, it was business as usual for the first ten minutes and then it turned into friend fest talking about different events and how I got started in business yadda yadda yadda. This time she decided to introduce the "touching". She started out touching my shoulder, then my arm and the very shy but subtle knee touch. I started to get texts from her arranging the next meeting and we arranged the third meeting, but this time during the meeting, she had nothing new and nothing to add to the design. She basically wanted to meet at Starbucks and talk for another hour or so. Again, she started with more touching and flirting. Finally, this bring us up to current with the meeting that we had. This time she had more to add to the widget and we talked about that for a while. I was trying to keep it as professional as I could and maintain that relationship. However, this time when we met, she had her blouse unbuttoned halfway and it was obvious that you could see her breasts. She did have on a very sexy nice bra though.... anyway, she constantly mirrored my movements and got really into the touching of my arms, hands, shoulder, knee and the inside of my leg. From what I understand from others is that she never reveals her chest to anyone at her company (she owns her own company as well). She had her blouse buttoned up when she returned to her office. The one thing that really gets me is when I asked her to go and get us some drinks (water for me from Starbucks), she opened up my water and took a drink out of it. I had the look of WTH on my face. I have to wonder where she is going with all of this. I originally thought that she was trying to flirt her way to a cheaper price, but that was negotiated in the first meeting and paid...hmmmm. So it couldn't be that. When she starts with the touching, I move away and try to maintain a comfort zone. The very funny thing is, when she was at an office party with my wife, she somewhat had a few too many and was telling my wife how handsome I am and what a wonderful person I was. Of course my wife started fuming at the seams, but didn't say anything to her. She is married as well and I'm totally at a loss on what she is trying to communicate here. I have a feeling what she is doing, but I was wondering what others might have to say about it too.
Ronni_W Posted June 18, 2010 Posted June 18, 2010 She is married as well and I'm totally at a loss on what she is trying to communicate here. No, you are not. From now on, take your wife or an assistant with you to all your meetings with this client. And even then, meet in a public, well-lit place As much as you may be enjoying the flirting and touching and attention, from now on, take your wife or an assistant with you to all your meetings with this client. Failing that, communicate directly and firmly that you are married and will appreciate her being professional and maintaining her decorum whenever she is around you. And only meet in public, well-lit places.
Author brad4646 Posted June 18, 2010 Author Posted June 18, 2010 I agree. I'm going to have to take my assistant the next go around. I really can't risk whatever games she's up to. At first it was flattering, buy I have no interest in her (although she is very attractive). I think it's best that she either email me anything else she needs done or have someone else meet with me. I really don't need the headaches that are associated with people like her. Thanks for your response.
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