I just got back from a meeting uptown and in the middle of the meeting I had the client say something really racist. He was talking about Saskatchewan and said:
It’s a good place, there is crime but it is all the Indians, they get drunk and commit all the crime. Caucasians aren’t criminals, sure some if they drink …
I’ve had racist staff members before and I dealt with them quite quickly. I stopped the meeting with the staff member, took them aside and told them they can think whatever they want, but they won’t use that kind of language at the office.
Now for a client … this is someone sending me money. Thousands an thousands of dollars.
So, I changed the subject and quickly ended the meeting. But I’m not sure what I should have done. I don’t think what I did was the right thing. And to be honest I really don’t want to work with that company any more.
So any business etiquette types, or just plain know-it-alls, what is the correct thing to do when you have a racist client?
[...] What do you do with a racist client? Update 26Jul08 It’s a question I asked a few weeks ago. [...]
I come from the sub-continent and whenever I find a racist person I just don’t bother. For a fact these people like to look down on people and you can’t change their attitude.
As long as you are not racist I don’t see why you shouldn’t take the money and do business with him. Let him have his own view and let him stay in his own little world.
You may not like the shopkeeper next door but you do go and buy grocery from him don’t u? at least when you are desparate!!
Racism isn’t a crime. But it’s a free country, so if you don’t want to deal with them, don’t deal with them. You don’t have to deal with people you don’t want to.