How Do You Respond When Your Hired Agent Starts Flirting With You?

15 years ago

Four times? Maybe you sound more friendly on the phone than you realize. Or perhaps your personality is so charming they can't resist asking the question. You devil, you.

If you aren't interested and someone asks "are you single?" - just say firmly "no, I'm not". That should stop the questions cold.

For several years working as a casino dealer, I wore what looked like a wedding ring just to avoid people getting too "familiar". A lot of women do that in such settings - and perhaps men, too.

kay

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ryanman 15 years ago

Originally Posted by Kay King

If you aren't interested and someone asks "are you single?" - just say firmly "no, I'm not". That should stop the questions cold.

I've tried that one...After that they start doing a very lousy job. I had to get rid of 3 agents before after using that excuse. None of them performed at their level best after that point.

I guess they sort of get attached to you when you talk to them daily.
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- ThomM 15 years ago
  
  Hire a straight male agent?
  
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  ryanman 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ThomM
  
  Hire a straight male agent?
  
  I've tried that before but for some reason females tend to do a way better job when it comes to personal assistance.
  
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  Dave Patterson 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ryanman
  
  I've tried that before but for some reason females tend to do a way better job when it comes to personal assistance.
  
  Yeah...you made that clear in your OP.
  
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R Hagel

15 years ago

I was thinking what Kay was thinking -- maybe you're coming across as, uh, friendly.

But if not, then here's another question: What is your interview process like? Because another possibility is that while you're looking for someone outgoing and friendly, maybe you're picking women who are flirtatious. As in, you associate a flirtatious woman as friendly. Like there are flirtatious undertones during the early stages (that's why you picked her), and as you get to know one another better the flirtatious side of her comes out more.

(I know lots of guys who mistake friendliness for flirtation -- maybe you're mistaking initial flirtation for friendliness during the interview process.)

Also -- the other big thing is that these women don't sound professional. In general, I think you need to adjust your search process so that you're seeking out professionals.

Just throwing stuff out there.

So, if a straight male agent doesn't work, then I guess you better start looking for lesbians or nuns who are committed to their vows.

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addison2015

15 years ago

Oh ****,what are you asking for,don't you know your job,what for i am paying to you?
All these sort of question i would ask to him.

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Phnx

15 years ago

Tell them you're gay!

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HeySal

15 years ago

Are they actually flirting or are they just trying to get to know the person they work for a bit? It doesn't hurt to be a tad human on the phone. Just because people are assistants doesn't mean they are machines.

Perhaps you are coming across as too cold and too Authoritarian and that is the reason that your assistants lose zest. Try to be just a tad human - give one or two minutes on a call to be friendly. You don't have to turn it into a porn call, etc - but ask about their weather, their day, etc. If they take it way out of line you might want to be concerned about exactly how "good" your customer service is. You can get your point across quickly at that point with a quick "whoah, let's not turn my company into a porn chat line." If they don't take that as a hint that personable is good, personal up close, isn't you hired the wrong person.

Another thought - look at your freakin' subject matter and decide what your assistant's goals are in working for that genre.

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Ken Strong

15 years ago

Originally Posted by ryanman

How do you guys deal with it?

Just face it, ryanman -- you're a stud muffin and a babe magnet. There's nothing you can do about it. Might as well get used to it.

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Tina Golden

15 years ago

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myob

15 years ago

If you really wanted to, you could keep it professional. When you work with someone closely, it is not out of line for them to ask if you are single. It is your response that sets the tone for the level of professionalism.

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ASUService

15 years ago

Originally Posted by myob

If you really wanted to, you could keep it professional. When you work with someone closely, it is not out of line for them to ask if you are single. It is your response that sets the tone for the level of professionalism.

Hi Ryan,
My initial thought when you mentioned it's happened four times was YOU might be contributing to the situation.

One thought was what myob is saying and the other is, are you sure you're not instigating it without realizing you're doing it.

No offense ... just food for thought.

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HeySal

15 years ago

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

This is so NOT politically correct but what the hell...I'm in that kind of mood today.

Are you hiring VAs from overseas? Perhaps they are looking for a ticket to America.

Tina

LOL - not feeling politically correct, eh? Well - I think you've forgotten how to be politically incorrect correctly - looks more like this:

Yo, Jo - U no need lookie for ex now, Jo. Me be love you long time. Make U big money. U pick me up at boat Jo. U see. No need bad lady no more.

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CDarklock

15 years ago

Originally Posted by ryanman

How do you guys deal with it?

Being the kind of total slut I am, I flirt right back.

Of course, that's not an option for everybody...

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adalf

15 years ago

I'd flirt back and go with it. You could always hire another agent.

Collect water when it rains, you never know when there will be a drought!

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garyv

15 years ago

Do you know what these ladies look like??

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Kay King 15 years ago

Great photo! I doubt that is the image that comes to his mind when the "girls" begin flirting over the phone.

The irresistible urge to come on to someone over the phone may be more desperation than attraction.

Perhaps adding the word "mature" to a job posting might help avoid bimbos.

kay
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ryanman

15 years ago

Originally Posted by KenStrong

Just face it, ryanman -- you're a stud muffin and a babe magnet. There's nothing you can do about it. Might as well get used to it.

Hahahaha...

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

This is so NOT politically correct but what the hell...I'm in that kind of mood today.

Are you hiring VAs from overseas? Perhaps they are looking for a ticket to America.

Tina

I am not in america.

Originally Posted by CDarklock

Being the kind of total slut I am, I flirt right back.

Of course, that's not an option for everybody...

No...Then they take your money and still don't do the job...I need the job done.

Originally Posted by adalf

I'd flirt back and go with it. You could always hire another agent.

Collect water when it rains, you never know when there will be a drought!

Some of these agents are true stars...Hard to find.

Originally Posted by garyv

Do you know what these ladies look like??

They seem to have their pictures on those freelancing sites...No idea why but they do. And...None of them look like this dude.

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Kay King 15 years ago

They seem to have their pictures on those freelancing sites...No idea why but they do. And...None of them look like this dude.

Ah - ha! Now we get the real story. Maybe start reading their resumes instead of picking pictures?
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How Do You Respond When Your Hired Agent Starts Flirting With You?

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