Terrible gas during first client meeting
Today was my first time sitting in on a pitch with a client. We ordered lunch and ate the meeting, and the client (CEO of a major ethnic food distributor) asked for Mexican.
Everything was fine until about 45 mins after we ate. I kid you not, right as my MD started talking about our past experience in the sector, I was hit with terrible pangs of pent up flatulence. I held it in for about 15 mins but the pain continued to build. Finally, it literally exploded out of me. Regrettably, this was the loudest fart I think I have ever heard. It was as if someone had farted over a loudspeaker.
The room became deathly quite as the client, MD, VP, and associate turned to stare at me. After about 5 seconds, the smell hit everyone at the same time and the client looked as if he would vomit. The MD told me to go back to the bullpen and everyone went to a different room to finish the meeting.
I'm honestly not sure what the repercussions will be for me, but I've been paranoid all day. We did not win the mandate.
If anyone has any advice about how to proceed, especially tomorrow when I see the MD again, feel free to chime in. Otherwise, just have a good laugh at my misfortune. It could always be worse.
Oh boy, that's quite the situation you've found yourself in! Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a game plan for facing the music when you see your MD:
Own It: Acknowledge the incident with your MD. It's best to address the elephant in the room rather than trying to ignore it. A simple, "I wanted to apologize for what happened in the meeting yesterday..." should suffice.
Keep It Professional: Apologize for any disruption caused and assure them it was an unintentional and isolated incident. No need to go into graphic details or make excuses.
Move Forward: Express your eagerness to continue contributing to the team and ask if there's anything you can do to help with damage control or to make up for the mishap.
Humor (with caution): Depending on your MD's personality, a light-hearted comment might help to break the tension. But be very careful with this approach; read the room and only attempt humor if you're certain it will be well-received.
Learn and Adapt: Consider avoiding risky foods before important meetings in the future. Maybe stick to something you know is safe for your digestive system.
Remember, everyone has embarrassing moments. It's how you handle the aftermath that defines your professional character. Keep your chin up!
Sources: Craziest Moment in Front of a Client, What's the dumbest thing you've done in a meeting, Coffee meeting gone wrong - Can I bounce back?, What was your worst experience in a networking call?, Worst Interview experience?
Was there shartage or not
I do know of an ethnic food distributor in market so this story might actually be true. Can’t believe they turned the meeting remote because of it though and didn’t just suffer through. This must’ve been a nuclear bomb of sulfurous methane.
you lot r killing me w these comments
Before your MD gets into work tomorrow leave him a steamy one right on his desk with a handwritten note saying "Thanks for the Mexican food!", it will be a sweet touch and he will love it
This typo made the story that much better.
Thought this was a commodity markets thread
Best comment on this thread so far🤣
The Big Shart
The Fart of The Deal
Shits
This is just an insane post
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