Rudi: “Aren’t you a beautiful young woman!” almost immediately when we saw each other on video call for the first time (I identify as nonbinary) (<-- this anecdote is a from a few years ago and from memory, though, so he might have just said something quite similar)
Rudi, in a Google Calendar invite note, as a closing: “Let’s talk, dear Vael...as I recall, we liked each other a lot.:)”
Me in an email back:
”(Ah, and just one other quick note: in the Google Calendar invite, you’ve included the line “Let’s talk, dear Vael...as I recall, we liked each other a lot.:)”. This feels like flirting to me, and I’m not sure but imagine you wouldn’t include this in emails to men, so I just wanted to state a preference that I’d enjoy if sentences like this weren’t included in the future! Many thanks, and looking forward to talking to you in June!)”
Rudi back:
“Hi Vael,
Of course, and thank you for nicely stating your preference, and just for the record I would include a phrase like this with men, women, or non-gendered individuals. (Also for the record, maybe I should re-think this.) And I still appreciate your observation, and will endeavor to be more circumspect in the future. :)
Warm and decidedly professional regards,
Rudi :)”
I’ve similarly heard he doesn’t do this with men. He also answered my questions when emailing back and forth. But yeah, be ready!
Some Rudi communication style anecdotes:
Rudi: “Aren’t you a beautiful young woman!” almost immediately when we saw each other on video call for the first time (I identify as nonbinary) (<-- this anecdote is a from a few years ago and from memory, though, so he might have just said something quite similar)
Rudi, in a Google Calendar invite note, as a closing: “Let’s talk, dear Vael...as I recall, we liked each other a lot.:)”
Me in an email back:
”(Ah, and just one other quick note: in the Google Calendar invite, you’ve included the line “Let’s talk, dear Vael...as I recall, we liked each other a lot.:)”. This feels like flirting to me, and I’m not sure but imagine you wouldn’t include this in emails to men, so I just wanted to state a preference that I’d enjoy if sentences like this weren’t included in the future! Many thanks, and looking forward to talking to you in June!)”
Rudi back:
“Hi Vael,
Of course, and thank you for nicely stating your preference, and just for the record I would include a phrase like this with men, women, or non-gendered individuals. (Also for the record, maybe I should re-think this.) And I still appreciate your observation, and will endeavor to be more circumspect in the future. :)
Warm and decidedly professional regards,
Rudi :)”
I’ve similarly heard he doesn’t do this with men. He also answered my questions when emailing back and forth. But yeah, be ready!
I told him I only wanted the bare-bones of interactions, and he’s been much better to work with!