Comments on: Are You An Abusive Person?

By: Brett Legree

Brett Legree — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:48:51 +0000

@James,

That makes sense. I’ve seen it happen to people out here just like you. In the office it is very subtle and subversive, out here it is like a kick in the face.

Maybe out here, it could be worse too – because there’s nothing to prevent it from happening again and again, and you can’t complain to HR about it.

Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.

By: James

James — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:12:50 +0000

@ Brett – Different type and style of abuse, honestly. Just as bad, no matter which situation I think of, but different.

In the corporate office, everything is very subtle at its best and more about getting ahead by stepping on someone else.

In the freelancing world, it’s about power, domination and lashing out. Those were things I only experienced once in a corporate environment (and the guy ended up on sick leave not long after).

By: Brett Legree

Brett Legree — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:10:01 +0000

An interesting perspective, James. As a sort of follow-on to what Friar said, do you find it better now that you’re freelancing as compared with when you were in corporate land, or is it just different?

Reading what you said, in my mind I’d tend to think it is just different – still dealing with people, just different situations (e.g. I can’t “fire” the people who annoy me at work which really sucks, but on the other hand, I’m isolated from random jerks outside the company who might pop in to annoy me, and I could always complain to HR about it!)

Interesting thoughts for sure – another thing which might be tough could be potential miscommunication if a lot of the communication is via email (e.g. I could call you a Crazy Canuck but if you didn’t know I am smiling as I type this, it might ruin your day or offend you – so that is a potential challenge).

Brett Legree´s last blog post…viking fridays – the mind and the heart.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:31:50 +0000

Friar,

Never fear! I splash in MWP’s puddles all the time and I don’t know what the heck James is talking about.

Later,

Kelly

Kelly´s last blog post…Sorry, Iâ€™m Taken

By: James

James — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:15:22 +0000

@ Jean – Heh, ice storms? Tell me about it. We had one back a few years, and I went 3 weeks without heat or water. Some people even longer. There was also a baby boom the year after…

@ Dot – Ew, subways… yeah. Definitely a place for shoving behaviour – not fun!

@ Friar – It’s okay. We’ll let you come play.

@ Iain – Yep. You either learn to cope well and stay diplomatic or you lose a lot of clients and start hating your job. Good on you for taking the high road!

@ Karen – Can I kick my chair, at least?

@ Marc – You beat me to a drinking avatar where I’m holding up a huge glass of Shiraz… ahhh…

By: Jean Gogolin

Jean Gogolin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:59:53 +0000

Here in southern New Hampshire a lot of us blame the general surliness not only on the economy but on the incredible ice storm we had in December, which will become legend. Put people in the cold and dark for days or weeks, unshowered, and the beast comes out. Jean Gogolin´s last blog post...From Now On, We're All About Stories

By: Dot

Dot — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:51:19 +0000

Hmm, not only happens to freelancers but to employees, too, from the client and from the boss.

I’ve noticed around here (Washington, DC) that people seem a lot surlier since the economy went bad. People push more in the subway, knock into others and don’t say anything, etc. It seems we’re all stressed.

Very good points you make. I’ll have to take a hard look in the mirror when I get home.

Dot´s last blog post…OpenOffice Extensions

By: Friar

Friar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:33:02 +0000

@James

Okayyy…I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this was about freelancers and on-line entre-prenoors.

I’ll go away now..and let the grown-ups talk.

By: Iain Broome

Iain Broome — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:44:12 +0000

My creative writing has taught me not to be sensitive about criticism or unnecessary and often plain rude comments. As a copywriter, I have fewer problems, but that might be because I work for a smashing design company and not freelance. Whatever, you’re absolutely right. Be nice to freelancers. In fact, just be nice to everyone, if you can.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:33:25 +0000

James, this is an excellent point on humanity. We (me and Trish Lambert) discussed this on our podcast earlier this month. So often we only hear about the responsibilities of vendors (freelancer, solo professional, contractors) but rarely does anyone talk about how to be a good client. Not being abusive is at the top of the list. Don’t kick your dog, snap at your kids or yell at your freelancer.