So, this guy I met at this coworking space asks me what I did and I responded with online marketing, although I have a few startup projects that I keep on the DL. When I mentioned SEM, he goes "a lot of SEO guys out there".
Not that I give a shit because this guy doesn't even know my target market or what differentiates me from the rest of the so called experts, but that sounded a bit disrespectful, especially since I just met this dude.
So, my question is... Do any of you get this type of response often?
You may be taking offense too easily. In doing so, you might be missing out on an opportunity.
Here is how I approach it:
Random guy: "What do you do?"
Me: "I blah, blah, blah. What do you do?"
Then, I focus the conversation on his work. I ask probing questions to learn more about his strengths. Not only do most people enjoy talking about themselves, but their responses usually reveal whether there's an opportunity to work together. Or they might introduce me to a valuable resource down the road.
In my experience, it never hurts to keep that door open.
Having said that, if the person I'm talking to responds with remarks that are intentionally offensive, I'll quickly end the conversation and go back to work or meet someone else. There is no value in being offensive in return.
My approach may be boring. It doesn't deliver any "HA! I got him good!" feeling. But it has worked very well for me in my life.
Your mileage may vary.
At the very least, never find offense in anything someone says, even if they mean to be offensive. There's no value in it. It's corrosive. If anything, it just sucks time away from more productive, profitable avenues.