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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 3, 2008 7:32:58 GMT -6
I love to give bullies a taste of their own medicine whenever I can.
We had a client who was a thoroughly nasty piece of work and was always in the local paper after been sued for wrongful or constructive dismissal by ex employees. We were doing some design work for him and he wanted us to source a stock image from a picture library, but in spite of searching everywhere we just could not find one that he liked. He ended up losing it on the phone with my business partner Paul... shouting, calling him names and generally being abusive, then told him we'd never work for him again. Afterwards I said "I'll make him eat his words!!"
We heard nothing for from him for several months then one day I picked up the phone and it was him instructing me to send some artwork for a leaflet we had produced for him to another graphic designer's for them to amend it and get a reprint. I told him I could do that but it would cost him... £1000 ($2000). He was shocked and told me it was *his* artwork and not mine. I explained to him that in law my company owned the intellectual copyright even though he had paid for the artwork. I told him if he got another company to scan or recreate the artwork then he would be in breach of my copyright and I'd sue him. I told him that in the normal course of events it was standard practise that most designers would just hand over the artwork regardless of what the law said as such matters are too much trouble for all concerned, and there was always the hope of the customer coming back again one day. Shocked he asked why I was doing this then, so I said "Because you're a bully Alan."
He was livid!! So I then went on to explain that it was the price he must pay for being so rude to my business partner. I stayed very calm in the face of his increasingly nasty threats and held my ground, adding that of course I would relinquish my copyright in return for the £1000. Finally he told me he was coming straight over to my office and I'd 'be sorry' so I warned security at the building where we rent office space, and sure enough he never made it past the door.
I received his check in the mail a couple of days later, and in return he received a disk containing the artwork along with a letter relinquishing my copyright.
Simon
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Post by Christinko on Sept 3, 2008 7:50:15 GMT -6
Wow! That was a gutsy move! Especially with his possibly physically endangering you!
Made me remember back in 1988 when I first published the Hedo2 book and the NYC lawyer for SuperClubs (who tried to sue me in federal court to stop distribution of the book) then tried to strong arm me into giving him free copies of the book for his files, and I said no, he'd have to pay for them.
He blustered and actually said "I'm going to call your lawyer!" Which of course sounded like "I'm telling your mother!"
Natch, my lawyer backed me and thought it was pretty funny too. The check for the books arrived via FedEx the next day.
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 3, 2008 10:58:44 GMT -6
Wow! That was a gutsy move! Especially with his possibly physically endangering you! According to our security guards he had quite a big guy with him. I assumed he must have gone into his factory before he set off and grabbed the biggest employee he could find. Simon
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Sept 3, 2008 11:05:25 GMT -6
Great story Simon, Im surprised he wasnt waiting for you at the end of the day, just to square up in person.
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 3, 2008 11:09:46 GMT -6
That did cross my mind when I left the building to go to my car!!
Simon
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Post by Chicago Jake on Sept 3, 2008 12:03:29 GMT -6
That did cross my mind when I left the building to go to my car!!Simon That's a good reason to always send an expendable employee to start your car for you.......Jake (and maybe to taste your food, too)
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Sept 3, 2008 12:20:37 GMT -6
... thats a perfect reason to employ graduate students there Jake.
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 3, 2008 12:28:06 GMT -6
...and the Welsh.
Simon
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Post by wareagle on Sept 3, 2008 12:31:44 GMT -6
That did cross my mind when I left the building to go to my car!!Simon That's a good reason to always send an expendable employee to start your car for you.......Jake (and maybe to taste your food, too) Unless Simon ordered haggis for his meal.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 3, 2008 14:57:17 GMT -6
Quite a story Si.
I work for several different family owned companies and the top figure, usually the fathers, are particularly tough. One family in particular, has a father that is so rough on his female employees that it isn't uncommon for them to fall apart crying and running for the break room. I have to met with the top people from time to time just prior to starting very large projects.
In these meetings there is almost nothing that you can say right and I can feel the tension in my neck and back growing as I sit there listening. Some people in these meetings even have nervous ticks and they giggle appropriately if they think the top man has made a joke. If you don't quickly laugh and get quiet again you just disagreed with him and you're f*cked.
If my wife was ever made to "break down" for the sole purpose of entertainment or stress relief for a superior, they better sleep with one eye open.
I have so many stories after nearly 30 years in construction.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 3, 2008 15:05:46 GMT -6
I was on a large condo project standing outside and the 2nd in command pulled up in her car, took my coffee out of my hand and asked me a series of questions as she drank it. When she was done getting her update, she handed me back the cup and drove off.
She also once threatened me in her office in front of people to "f*cken hang me by my balls" if I ever suggested a certain color combination for a model unit. It had some flowers in the design. To this very day, I'm hesitant to show even the most subtle flower or garden country style carpet!
I'm still working for this company and they are a big customer.
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Post by Christinko on Sept 3, 2008 18:49:07 GMT -6
That bully characteristic that is such a part of so many people (and nations) makes me nuts.
Why do humans have to put others down to raise themselves up high? Why can't everyone just be magnificent? We have two arms...one to pat ourselves on the back, and the other to pat everyone else. Just my theory. Who knows if I practice it.
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Post by drmryder on Sept 4, 2008 15:02:18 GMT -6
Wow! That was a gutsy move! Especially with his possibly physically endangering you! According to our security guards he had quite a big guy with him. I assumed he must have gone into his factory before he set off and grabbed the biggest employee he could find. Simon Sounds like the man brought "Yeomen Johnson" with him to throw as bait in case he had to make an escape. It's the expendable employee that gets to tag along in situations like that.
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Post by wareagle on Sept 5, 2008 9:39:30 GMT -6
That bully characteristic that is such a part of so many people (and nations) makes me nuts. Why do humans have to put others down to raise themselves up high? Why can't everyone just be magnificent? We have two arms...one to pat ourselves on the back, and the other to pat everyone else. Just my theory. Who knows if I practice it. You answered it yourself Chris. People put other people down to raise themselves up. The bully uses other people because they can't raise him/her self up by their own merits. Intimidation makes the bully feel superior and they believe it gets them what they want. Many years ago I had a new Assistant Superintendent make an unannounced visit to my school. I had most of the gang members at my school so the central office personnel was well acquainted with me when it came to hearing for the purpose of expelling students. My secretary buzzed me to tell me he was in the office and I went up to greet him. As I walked up to him I reached out to shake his hand and he grabbed my hand in a steel like grip, stepped up to me almost eye ball to eye ball, unsmiling and said "I've heard about you." I returned his grip as hard as I could met him eye ball to eye ball and said " to try and do this to me you must not have heard everything." We got along fine after that, we were never friends but he left me alone and when we had to work together he was at least cordial.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Sept 6, 2008 6:31:17 GMT -6
Good come back Steve!
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Post by Tex on Sept 6, 2008 9:11:25 GMT -6
I met a guy for a negotiation over some oil and gas leases and he tried that hand crushing crap. I pulled back my hand and said "What the fuck are you trying to do to my hand? Are you fucking nuts?", then put up my files and ask the guy to please leave my office. (He had a two hour drive back to Dallas) His boss called me the next day and asked what the problem was and I told him. He asked if the guy could come back the next day and I said no and he if wanted the leases (he needed them) he would have to come out here himself. He did and apologized for his landman and we did business. I am sure his boss was none too pleased.
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Post by Christinko on Sept 7, 2008 10:13:50 GMT -6
Men have done that bone crushing thing with me too--unreal! For no reason too! Since I have rheumatoid arthritis, I was incapacitated for 1/2 hour before I could hold my camera again (I was the photographer at an event).
The weird part it that when he had my hand in his crushing grip, I keep saying "please let go, please let go" as my knees started to give way with the white pain that washed over me. He had no clue and didn't acknowledge the problem. I just avoided him the rest of the event.
But he's typical of maybe 5% of the men who have given me handshakes. They just don't let go, no matter what you say.
And even though I have weak hands, I can give a proper handshake with a proper grip. I even teach my biz writing students how to give a proper handshake.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Sept 7, 2008 11:34:46 GMT -6
Maybe a curtsy would be a safer greeting for you to use.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 7, 2008 12:27:23 GMT -6
A curtsy would have been better for him to use, he wouldn't have hurt someone and then been avoided the rest of the time.
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 7, 2008 12:40:38 GMT -6
I had a truck driver come to my warehouse twice a week and this character had the worst attitude. He was abusive to anyone who happened to be receiving the materials. I never met him and one day it was my turn, this guy was in a special mood. He arrived pissed off and I'll tell you he was intimidating. I was pleasant, drove the forklift, (I wear every hat in my place) did everything I could to make his stop brief and easy. It didn't matter, he was abusive, threatening and intimidating. Now I understood what the others were going through. I called the Mohawk shipping department and requested a new driver, who needs that crap? Mohawk never sent him again. I spend enough money with the big manufacturers, know one deserves that treatment. Damn it! ;D ;D
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Post by Christinko on Sept 7, 2008 14:40:16 GMT -6
Love the curtsey suggestion--for both the man and woman....good laugh for the day! Thanks, gentlemen!
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 7, 2008 16:59:41 GMT -6
Men have done that bone crushing thing with me too--unreal! For no reason too! Since I have rheumatoid arthritis, I was incapacitated for 1/2 hour before I could hold my camera again (I was the photographer at an event). The weird part it that when he had my hand in his crushing grip, I keep saying "please let go, please let go" as my knees started to give way with the white pain that washed over me. He had no clue and didn't acknowledge the problem. I just avoided him the rest of the event. But he's typical of maybe 5% of the men who have given me handshakes. They just don't let go, no matter what you say. And even though I have weak hands, I can give a proper handshake with a proper grip. I even teach my biz writing students how to give a proper handshake The 'vice-like handshake grip' really pisses me off. I don't care how friendly the person is being, I interpret it as an aggressive gesture, like they're saying to you 'You know I could beat you in a fight, don't you?' My friend's ex husband used to do it whenever he shook your hand. I used to think 'Steve, we're friends!! WTF is that for you fucking dick??' Simon
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 7, 2008 17:01:37 GMT -6
I had a truck driver come to my warehouse twice a week and this character had the worst attitude. He was abusive to anyone who happened to be receiving the materials. I never met him and one day it was my turn, this guy was in a special mood. He arrived pissed off and I'll tell you he was intimidating. I was pleasant, drove the forklift, (I wear every hat in my place) did everything I could to make his stop brief and easy. It didn't matter, he was abusive, threatening and intimidating. Now I understood what the others were going through. I called the Mohawk shipping department and requested a new driver, who needs that crap? Mohawk never sent him again. I spend enough money with the big manufacturers, know one deserves that treatment. Damn it! ;D ;D Good for you Gaz!! I won't let anyone bully my staff, whether they be a supplier OR a customer. Simon
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Post by Merlot Joe on Sept 7, 2008 18:17:45 GMT -6
Love the curtsey suggestion--for both the man and woman....good laugh for the day! Thanks, gentlemen! I would prefer women curtsy and men could do and old fashion bow. Joe
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Sept 7, 2008 18:25:47 GMT -6
The 'vice-like handshake grip' really pisses me off. I don't care how friendly the person is being, I interpret it as an aggressive gesture, like they're saying to you 'You know I could beat you in a fight, don't you?' My friend's ex husband used to do it whenever he shook your hand. I used to think 'Steve, we're friends!! WTF is that for you fucking dick??' Simon I think the next time this happens to me, I now know what to do. I'll pull the guy towards me and let my knee find this crotch, very hard. "So, how's that big dick of yours now, eh??" I'll say!! God . . . the things you can learn reading this board!! ;D ;D
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Post by innit Geezer on Sept 7, 2008 18:33:51 GMT -6
There's always risk in that macho sh*t. If a mindless individual applies excessive manly pressure there's always a chance you're squeezing the hand of stronger, low intolerant person. Oh well...
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Post by viperess on Sept 7, 2008 22:13:52 GMT -6
Before Bill and I were married, he went with his room mate to co-sign on a car. Any one that knows Bill...knows he's a 6'2 teddy bear. The salesman swaggered out and shook Craig's hand then reached for Bill's. Bill said he eyed him them squeezed hard. Bill returned the favor and watched pain flash through the guys eyes. Craig got the car with no problems....
Why would you play this game with a guy whose nickname was Bear Paws???
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Post by Irish Stu on Sept 8, 2008 4:09:00 GMT -6
Why would you play this game with a guy whose nickname was Bear Paws??? ;D Simon
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Post by pixiedust on Sept 8, 2008 6:17:21 GMT -6
I've had the "cromagnan man" grip happen to me a few time too - I've never understood it when it did happen as I almost never meet people for business - a lot of times it's happened socially. I have NO clue as to WHAT they think they're proving. I usually come away from it thinking they're the biggest dick head on earth. (and they usually ARE!)
Colleen
PS. I've enjoyed reading all of what you guys have done to these idiots!
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Post by Christinko on Sept 8, 2008 10:03:24 GMT -6
Whenever a man is too rough with me these days (be it anything physical) I scream bloody murder. It embarrasses the hell out of them and gets their attention and I seldom have them come near me again.
Only once did it not work (at Hedo with a super drunk guy). But it sure got the attention of other guests who, thankfully, came to my rescue.
I never used to do that, but then I started noticing that no one took me seriously (to stop) otherwise. Sad, but true. I guess there's a time when some people just don't pay attention.
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