business networking events

How to deal with unwanted attention- politely. When you’re doing business with the person?

I’m a young woman who’s starting a business. How do I deal with other men whom I meet at networking events who ask for my card then later write to ask me to dinner or ice cream? I accept these type of invitation all the time with other business woman, and many of them have become good friends/associates, however, when the invitation comes from a man I get the feeling that they are really asking for a date under the disguise of “networking.” Last week I was at a tradeshow when a man came up to me and asked for my business card. I gave him a blank one w/out my number because his interest seemed non-business and I didn’t want him to have direct contact with me. Today he wrote me asking for my phone number. I feel very uncomfortable about this. My feeling is I should not reply, but on the other hand we know the same people and I may run into him in the future so I don’t want to burn any bridges. How can I handle this and future situation tackfully or tell me if I am being paranoid?

You are not paranoid. With such unwanted attention it’s best to tell them you don’t “go out unless it’s about business”. Be blunt. LEt them know you are interested only in business and not get used as a date to get their business. Let them know you don’t go the roundabout way.

Ivan Misner with Business networking advice to take the trauma out of networking events