Sorry - really long thread...

OK - last night I got a call from an agent about 'a job'. He said I fitted the bill perfectly but could not talk to me about the client until he met me in person. He said that because of my work history AND 'dj-ing' skills etc, I sound like the type of person who could deal with people on all levels, etc, especially at client levels where they are particularly tricky blah blah blah. I was surprised he had mentioned the dj-ing thing... unusual for a corporate position for it to be even noticed. I said, 'What do you mean? It's rare that anyone has read that far down my cv'. He replied, 'Well, I used to mix it up a bit myself so understand where you are coming from.'

OK then.

So - we agreed to meet up this morning at 8.45am. At first, it was 8.30am but then, aforementioned consultant (let's call him BULLY) said, 'Oh, what about 9.00am?' I said, 'How about 8.45am?'. And so it was set. An email came through to me confirming the meeting.

This morning, I arrive at 8.45am on the dot near Bond Street. I fill in a form and then this 'muscle' guy - BULLY walks in... wearing a suit, semi shaved head (ginger - just painting a picture), stupid fake tan, brown tortoiseshell glasses. It's a small room - one door... Immediately he is aggressive.

"Well, as we only have one interview room and you are late, we had agreed 8.30am, we just won't have time for this interview - we are back to back with other candidates and we will be kicked out of the room soon. (sighs). Look - just run through your cv as quick as you can and we will see how far we get.", said BULLY.

"I'm sorry but there must be a mis understanding - we agreed 8.45am?"

"No - we said 8.30am.", BULLY retorts.

"Oh, I'm sorry, there must be a misunderstanding, I could have sworn we said 8.45am."

I start talking about my current job and he interrupts sarcastically. "Well it would help if you started from the beginning, how you got here..."

"Ok- well I started in book publishing in London and --". BULLY interrupts me, 'Funny, I've worked in publishing for 15 years and never heard of Octopus."

"Well, they publish lifestyle and design imprints... Conran Octopus, Miller, etc...", I explained.

This went on and on - everything I said, he responded to in such a sarcastic and aggressive way... when I couldn't take it any longer, I said, "Look, I'm sorry but this doesn't seem to be going well - you seem to be quite aggressive towards me." I mean, this guy was really throwing me off and I like to think I can talk to anyone, especially in this kind of situation where I'm kinda seasoned.

It got worse. He started going on about how I was late, and it wasn't professional etc.. and I explained AGAIN that there must have been a misunderstanding but I didn't appreciate being spoken to in the way he was talking to me. He was COMPLETELY aggressive... I was started to get quite upset by this stage but remained calm and professional. He then accused ME of accusing him of LYING and became furthermore aggressive, 'No, this hasn't gotten off to a good start. We can turn this around."

By then I was really so upset with his behaviour and said, 'No, I don't think there is any point in continuing this interview.'

He then shouted, 'Shall I go and get the email????'

I said, 'No, thank you, I am not accusing you of lying but just don't see the point in your aggression and talking to me like this."

He stood up and I stood up. He blocked the door way. This guy was kinda big and I'm thinking (in all seriousness), 'Shit, what if he hits me or something??? There is no window that anyone can see in etc....'

"I'd like to leave the room please."

He kept standing there.

"I'd like to LEAVE, the room, PLEASE.' I said again, really firmly but calmly.

"Are you ACCUSING ME OF LYING??", BULLY insists?

"I'd like to LEAVE THE ROOM PLEASE!!"

So then - he opens the door and I leave, walking down the stairs... he's following me... I'm thinking, 'Shit'.

"It's ok, I know my way out", I say without looking back while he is still clumping down the stairs behind me.

"I just want to make sure you are escorted OFF the premises!!".

GOD - then he turned around and said, 'Have a nice day' in the MOST SARCASTIC F*CKED UP WAY to which I replied, 'I wish I could say it's been a pleasure but it hasn't!!!'

I then spent 15 minutes shaking and crying in a phone box like a loser (I was actually really upset - he was really very aggressive and the 'standover' tactics kinda freaked me out - this hasn't happened to me before'). I called my flatmate who was incredulous about the experience and behaviour and then started laughing saying, 'God, was that guy for REAL???'

Thank you for letting me rant. I'm so pissed off I'm making a formal complaint (and I am normally too lazy to do such things but I just feel SOOOOO pissed off and upset).

Do you think he was having a bad morning? Regrets not being an international superstar DJ? Was jelous of my youth (ha - joke there)...?

LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!