Speak up or mind your own business?

Would you interrupt a professional meeting between two strangers to offer an unsolicited opinion and chastise one of them?

Yesterday I met a lady who would, and did.

The scenario
I am paid by certain local business people to coach and mentor on a casual basis. We meet in cafe's and have short 30-60 minute session's in which, at times, I listen and respond and other times do most of the talking. It depends on the situation.

I was doing just that, explaining an extremely technical legislative issue to a client over a coffee when across came a lady. She excused herself and then continued to tell my client how rude I was for talking and not letting him speak. She told me she had been watching for 15 minutes and he hadn't been able to get a word in due to my incessant talking.

We both sat there dumbfounded and unable to respond. He went bright red.

I found my voice and politely thanked her for taking the time out of her day to so rudely interrupt our session with her unqualified and unsolicited opinion. She looked at me, to my client then pointed at me and said to him, "Good luck with him." Before walking off.

My client actually felt the need to apologize to me which wasn't necessary of course and we both sat for a few minutes to work it out before I continued with the session which he was paying $200 for.

Now, I know that people have opinions but to voice them to complete strangers without knowing the context? Strange. Rude.

What if I was sitting there with my best mate telling him how my wife left me and that I was contemplating suicide? What if I was telling him I had 3 months to live due to terminal cancer and he was just permitting me to pour it all out? What if I was in a professional coaching session and was being paid a lot of money to do all the talking! Oh, that's right I was!

I wonder at what goes through someone's mind prior to doing something like that.

For the record the person she was with remained at the table after the lady had walked out. After my meeting my client and I looked up and she caught our eye. She apologized profusely and said she had tried to talk her friend out of it. We laughed it off and went on our way.

I have never had anything like that happen before nor do I think I will again. I am very careful when it comes to conversation and am mindful to converse in a balanced way. I pay attention to inflection and body language and offer questions and encourage others to express themselves. I certainly do not monopolize a conversation. I was taken aback by this lady's comment but there was a positive to take away.

I found out just how in control of my temper I am! I was furious with that lady but responded in an even and pleasant tone, if somewhat acidly.

Thanks for reading!

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