I arrived at reception on Wednesday, October 29th at 2:10 PM, introducing myself and explaining to the receptionist that I had an appointment at 2:00 PM with Mr. Bel-Mavouangui David.
She asked me to wait on the sofa provided while she went to inform him. I sat down on the sofa, calm and collected, waiting for her to return. A few minutes later, I saw them both approach. Mr. David then introduced himself with a smile, looking me up and down. Out of respect and politeness, I got up from the sofa to greet him, introduce myself, and tell him that we had an appointment at 2:00 PM, but that I was running late. I thanked him for his patience regarding my ten-minute delay. From there, he tells me he doesn't like my posture at all and that I need to express myself correctly in French and revise my phrasing.
What do I say to that? What do you mean you don't like my posture?
What's wrong with my posture?
And what do you mean revise the way I speak to you?
Mr. David, I'm speaking to you in formal French and I'm standing here in front of you dressed presentably, and that bothers you?
He replies, "Oh no, I want an apology. You need to apologize. You need to revise your behavior. You're not being polite."
I tell him that I've already thanked him for his patience and for waiting for me. That's already been polite of me. Isn't that enough for you? He told me that no, that wasn't enough, that I needed to apologize. I wanted to hear an apology. I replied, "Sir, you should know that if I'm late, it's because I'm a disabled person with a disability, and my back is locked due to my condition. I took time to put on my shoes and socks, and I came by car and took time to find a parking space. If you don't believe me, I'll show you my disability card." At that point, I reached into my bag for my wallet to show him my disability card. I took it out and showed it to him, but he replied that he didn't care that I was disabled, that I shouldn't be late, and that he absolutely wanted an apology. He said he didn't like the way I presented myself, my posture, or the way I spoke French. I replied that I had studied law previously, that I speak fluent French every day, and that I had already attended several of Eric's appointments and had never had any problems with him, never. Eric is very kind, unlike you, and I had already apologized to you, thanking you for your patience and for waiting for me. What else do you want me to do? Beg you, grovel before you, or pity you? You are not my employer, you are not my CEO, you are not my Chairman and CEO.
He laughed.
I asked him what we were going to do now instead of arguing like idiots.
Either you accept me or you reject me, and I'm leaving immediately.
He replied that it wasn't up to me to tell him what to do and that I had no power over him. I replied, "Very well then, make up your mind."
He responded, "I was going to offer you another workshop date, but given your attitude and behavior, I don't want to see you again."
I replied, "All this for that?"
"And why didn't you tell me from the start that you were going to offer me a new workshop date instead of resorting to this charade, this whole performance in front of the receptionist?"
He replied that he no longer wanted to see me anyway and that he wouldn't offer me another date.
I said, "Fine, and you don't even care that I've shown you I am indeed a disabled person?"
He replied, "Yes."
I said, "Fine, then I'm leaving and going straight to the employment office to explain, and I'm going to call Eric to tell him how things went with you."
