New Client Question

[Alpacalia]

So I do freelance work, including project management, and I'm hired to do some work over the next few months on different projects.

Recently, I met with a new client to talk about my job responsibilities and to discuss my duties within the company. Because of the nature of the assignment, I would need my co-worker's help, so I invited him along (which my new client was aware of in advance).

Our work meeting covered the work assignment. However, my client also asked me several personal questions, including who I lived with and what kind of property it was. In addition, he asked me about my upbringing, relatives, if I have my own vehicle, things of that nature.

As I was walking out of the meeting, he asked what I did on weekends for fun. In conversation, I mentioned to him I had a dog, and he asked me to send him pictures of my dog so he could show his daughter.

I sent him an email the following day to thank him for the working lunch and for meeting with me. His reply stated he wanted to get together again, just "us" to "talk about our mutual interests and life experiences."

I feel it's incongruous, but I don't want to overthink it in case I'm misreading it. 

He has asked me a lot of personal questions. 

Since I have not had an employer ever ask me to meet one-on-one to discuss common interests or life experiences during my career, I am not sure what to say. 

Thoughts?

 

Edited June 20, 2022 by Alpacalia

[Wiseman2]

10 hours ago, Alpacalia said:

Since I have not had an employer ever ask me to meet one-on-one to discuss common interests or life experiences during my career, I am not sure what to say. 

This is a client, not your employer, correct?  Keep the conversation/meetings business-only at all times. 

[Weezy1973]

I’d just say that you have a policy of keeping all meetings focused on business while under contract or something to that effect. 

[Alpacalia]

1 hour ago, Wiseman2 said:

This is a client, not your employer, correct?  Keep the conversation/meetings business-only at all times. 

It's a client. 

I recognize that there is a difference between an employer and a client. Though I see this as an arrangement where someone is employing me, but it isn't an employer in the traditional sense.

Considering the dynamics, I was wondering if it seemed like he was trying to be too friendly or unprofessional? Occasionally, during business meetings, he has asked me personal questions. Whereas before, I have tried to respond blandly and switch subjects, but it seems like there's been a progression.

I'm disappointed since it's a great opportunity, and I'd love to add it to my project portfolio and have him as a reference. But I'm wondering if it might be better if I did not take on the project. 

Maybe I'll start with Weezy1973's and your suggestion and go from there.

[Johnjohnson2017]

It's really an inappropriate move by him. Totally unprofessional. You are trying to earn a living. He is putting you in a bad spot.

His intentions are clear. He is looking for romance.

[Alpacalia]

12 hours ago, Johnjohnson2017 said:

It's really an inappropriate move by him. Totally unprofessional. You are trying to earn a living. He is putting you in a bad spot.

 

Thank you very much for your understanding.

Although I fully understand that there can be situations like these that can arise, I just wanted to check to make sure that I was not picking up something that I was overreacting to.

In my conversations with him since, I stated that I intended to keep all conversations/meetings focused on the business at hand during employment. 

He responded that he understood.

Hopefully, that will be the end of it. My job will remain intact. Woohoo!

Edited June 22, 2022 by Alpacalia