I'm a Lic. Massage Therapist. A f riend just called me (also an LMT) & asked this question: What should I say to my long time client who offered to buy my lunch after a massage?
We've all had to deal with a pervert or two. That one's easy. You say "Get dressed, get out and DO NOT come back."
But if it's an innocent offer like this and you don't like to cross the professional line into personal, then what? You don't want to treat it like they hit on you or just 'asked you out' so what's the best way to say no without making them feel uncomfortable or as if they did something wrong?
2007-07-19 17:04:10 · 12 answers · asked by mia b 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Tell them that your fiancee is very jealous and doesn't allow you to go out. (Your fiancee is your professional ethics.)
2007-07-19 17:25:00 · answer #1 · answered by Richard F 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She could just say, "I really appreciate your offer, and I know you have the best intentions, but I just make it a policy to keep clients as clients only."
That way your friend could abstract the situation from the person, so as to make them feel less awkward. By saying, "I make it a policy to do xyz," it dehumanizes the situation while still maintaining the boundaries of what your friend is comfortable with. Hope that helps =)
2007-07-19 18:23:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can say, "i try to make it a rule of thumb, never to go hang out with my clients, no matter how great they are...just for professional reasons of course" and then be kind of cute and funny and say something like "but i won't turn down my favorite drink from starbucks that you can bring in the next time you see me"
be sweet, light and funny and it should go acrossed pretty well...its all in the tone of voice and body language
2007-07-19 17:14:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Very simple, say it's against company policy to fraternize with customers out side of work, Thank you so much but I will have to decline. I wouldn't want to get in trouble.
2007-07-19 17:56:17 · answer #4 · answered by rxing 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just say thanks for the offer but that you don't accept gifts from clients. When I worked in retail we weren't allowed to accept gifts- it was in our handbook. The idea isn't foreign to people, and it's a polite way to kindly not accept ANY gifts.
2007-07-21 09:53:10 · answer #5 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"That is a lovely offer. Thank you so much, but I can't accept. I hope you understand".
That's enough. You don't need excuses, apologies, or explanations. If they persist, you can add that your reasons are both personal and professional.
2007-07-19 17:40:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I appreciate the offer but it is against company policy. I am loyal to my company. I do appreciate your thoughts and I am happy to see you appreciate my professional work.
2007-07-19 17:29:31 · answer #7 · answered by detour 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them you already have plans with your boyfriend/ girlfriends, or put it on management: Sorry, my manager/ this business would not let me socialise with clients, its very strict you understand'.
2007-07-19 17:14:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell them you have other plans or need to do something else. It's simple and impossible for them to find out that you don't really.
2007-07-19 17:11:14 · answer #9 · answered by Becca 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You say, "Thank you very much but I have so many food allergies that I almost never eat out."
2007-07-19 17:08:24 · answer #10 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋