Anyway, I explained that the foundation was defunct, the client was in jail, and I wasn’t any more associated with it than the caller was. Didn’t matter. He kept talking, telling me his story. He heard “reporter” when I said, “only wrote the release” and he may have thought I was going to write his story. Uh, no. I used the “I can’t help you” line then because hey, I can’t. I got him off the phone in quick time, but not before he started through his story (and his wife’s – how is this all relevant anyway?) three times, asking me each time for help. Sorry, dude. Wrong tree. Bark somewhere else.

Gee, to think I turned him down after he told me I had a beautiful voice and I was a beautiful person. Dude, you don’t know me. You have no idea this was one of the weirdest days and you’re the icing on top. Move on before the smackdown occurs!

Lori, I use the same approach as you — vague responses and unreliability. Recently a neighbor discovered my website and suddenly wanted to “talk to me” about things, particularly my ghostwriting services. I can smell a request for free help from a mile away, so I was vague and haven’t followed up on it.

My standard response is, “When I have some free time.” Which, of course, I never have. There’s probably a whole slew of rejected favor-askers who pity me my busy schedule! ;o)

I’m a big believer in cutting the deadwood out of my life on a regular basis. I try to ease out gently and simply “lose touch” in many cases.

If the person is persistent, I will say very bluntly, “You’re trying to take advantage of me and my answer is no.”

Then I stop returning phone calls and emails. Period.