I hosted one of my shindigs last night where I invite my clients, professional contacts and prospects to a restaurant/bar for some informal networking. It's always a fun evening and I love making introductions. (Plus my clients always rave about me and what I do so it's a win-win.)

Last night there was a lady there that I cannot describe any other way than "toxic". She professes to be very religious but she is so judgmental and condescending. In the past, she'd send me stuff to proof (for free). I'd make some suggestions and she'd reply back that I shouldn't 'cut her down creatively'.

Um, okay. I think most people that know me know that I don't sugar-coat things. You ask my opinion, I tell you. I get paid over $100/hr for my marketing services. She was getting it for free.

Last night, she came in and interrupted me while I was talking to someone. Then she 'hijacked' me - I was there as a facilitator - I could not get away from her. She stands too close while talking and it feels really uncomfortable. I kept taking a step back but it didn't work. And she'd continually make so veiled commentaries that were really uncool. She professes to be a 'business and life coach'. I encounter a lot of them in my day to day professional life - there are some good ones but they are the exception - from my experience those that can't do, coach. I wouldn't pay her a penny for her advice. (I'd pay money to get away from her.)

I tried to extricate myself by claiming I rode down with someone and they needed to leave. (It was a lie.) So then she starts talking to that person - and he's looking at me like "Help!" She decides to walk out with us - crap - we have to pretend like we're getting in the same car. It was ridiculous. She wants to do business with me but I don't want to. I'm going to over-inflate our prices just to make sure it's unobtainable.