I have been networking for three years now, and I am very surprised how a principle so blindingly obvious in necessity is so widely ignored by British business people - a principle so obvious that it would not seem worthy of a discussion - were it not for the fact that it IS ignored. It is THOU SHALT NOT BE RUDE TO CUSTOMER OR CONTACT.

It would be more understandable if this oversight was made by naive newcomers just starting out, but often it is not.  The last two individuals who I found myself on the receiving end of their rudeness were seasoned networkers.

Not only is there now no chance whatsoever I will ever give either any business, neither will I ever refer them to any of my contacts.  I'm sure you'll have had similar experiences, and they do leave a sour taste.

It is perhaps inevitable as with any field that styles and approaches clash and in attempting to ring bells, you yank a few chains in the process. However, the consequences of reacting to another's approach needs to be carefully weighed up, and that response made with a cool head, and even better after seeking counsel.

So how should you respond to something you don't like to hear or read? Certainly NOT with an equally rude reply that debases you to the ignorance of the perpetrator. If you do respond to a comment in any networking situation, it should always be positive, or otherwise do not respond to it at all.

If someone is suggesting what you strongly feel to be nonsense, it serves no purpose to openly and passionately voice your disagreement - this will only upset yourself and embarrass everyone else. Instead, voice your own truth in your own post, not openly "having a go" at anyone. In many cases simply ignoring a comment is best, but if you are generally offended by a remark, then put the author out of sight and out of mind by breaking off contact and blocking them.

Sometimes I simply absorb a comment and "bite my lip" if reacting to it will lose me vital strategic business contacts. Before cutting someone off, consider carefully if you can afford to do so. I now have examples in my own experience of both deciding I could and others where I could not, but in the latter case I don't forget how I was treated, unless better attitude is subsequently forthcoming.

For much of my life I have got cross when I have had to explain things that in my opinion should have been blatantly obvious to the hearer. Since I have learned the Dharmic principle of acceptance, I have come to terms with the fact that as my mother often says, "common sense is not so common". I therefore offer this wisdom so that the next time someone in a business context annoys you, perhaps your own reaction will be more in your own interest than it  otherwise would have been!