Andy Wibbels

Bastard

From the contact form:

Andy, I was just about to pass your site on to a friend of mine who is also in internet marketing when I came across your word “bastard.” That is unacceptable language in a professional situation and many people find it offensive. You will find greater success with a greater number of people when you use respectable words. Just a tip from a friend…

I am keenly aware of the language I use and the effect it has on others and how it communicates my brand and personality. If someone is riled by sharp language then they probably aren’t a good fit for me or my business.
And it also means they haven’t heard me talk about asshole marketing, tag whores, or calling bullshit on John Gray.

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Andy Wibbels

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Comments

33 responses to “Bastard”

  1. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Love yer werk!

    Reply
  2. sir jorge Avatar
    sir jorge

    That’s right man! Stand your ground!

    Reply
  3. Tara McGillicuddy Avatar
    Tara McGillicuddy

    I agree!! It’s like the people who get upset at my typos probably wouldn’t make good clients for me.
    Come on, Bastard isn’t even on George Carlin’s list is it? I could see a few people getting upset if you dropped the “F Bomb” but Bastard???

    Reply
  4. Alex Grech Avatar
    Alex Grech

    Bastards and ass holes inhabit real life, and are part of our every day vernacular. Someone who has a problem with that will never ‘get’ what you have to offer his business or life proposition..

    Reply
  5. Nenad Ristic Avatar
    Nenad Ristic

    I have to say that as far as reasons go for not reading a blog, that one ranks as one of the most pointless ones I have heard.

    Reply
  6. Deep Avatar
    Deep

    Un-Fucking Believable… some people!

    Reply
  7. doug M Avatar
    doug M

    damn right! people are too sensitive these days, especially on the internet, i mean come on people it’s the friggin internet!

    Reply
  8. Erin Blaskie Avatar
    Erin Blaskie

    Andy,
    Love the post! I’m all for being yourself – even in the virtual, business world. In fact, my favorite thing to tell potential clients in our first call is that I’m a shoe whore and that I need to buy at least one pair of shoes per week. At least it lets them know that I expect them to pay me so I can fulfill this obsession of mine.
    Erin

    Reply
  9. Janet Clarey Avatar
    Janet Clarey

    ‘Effin A!

    Reply
  10. KG Avatar
    KG

    You gotta be you — good for you for sticking to your guns.
    I find it hilarious that people get offended by words like that, especially when there are a whole host of TRULY offensive things on this planet (intolerance and prejudice, situation in Darfur, most governments ignoring global warming).

    Reply
  11. Sharon Sarmiento Avatar
    Sharon Sarmiento

    Using the word “bastard” means you’re a potty mouth?
    Geez, now that person is strict! You’re better off without her, Andy. 🙂
    This is probably a person who still has that “everything must be politically correct” corporate mindset.
    Bastards, all of ’em!

    Reply
  12. Sharon Sarmiento Avatar
    Sharon Sarmiento

    This just occurred to me…
    We’re just lucky she didn’t see the post where you inadvertently directed us to the gay porn sites.
    This “bastard” thing is too funny 🙂

    Reply
  13. Chris Swain Avatar
    Chris Swain

    Give the “Hell” Andy! I too wash my hands of bastards like that. To all the potty mouths on the net, I salute you.

    Reply
  14. Steve JC Avatar
    Steve JC

    ‘Just a tip from a friend …’????!!!!!
    How patronizing can that person be??!!!
    It’s part of your brand, stick to it.

    Reply
  15. John W. McKenna Avatar
    John W. McKenna

    Andy
    You’ve been tagged for the “Does Most Leadership Suck Challenge”. Check the link for details.
    Take care…
    JMW

    Reply
  16. Licia Berry Avatar
    Licia Berry

    Hey Andy,
    I think this is a great example of getting even clearer who you are writing for….obviously this reader is not your target audience, and that’s okay! You can only be authentic to who you are, and the “right” audience will follow. To thine own self be true!!!
    Thanks for your fresh, shake-it-up energy,
    licia

    Reply
  17. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    Andy,
    After Priscilla Palmer’s self development list Jenny and I have decided to try to help build the self development community. So we are holding a little contest. I would like to invite you, and anyone else interested, to find out more details at Win a $25 Gift Certificate.

    Reply
  18. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    O.K. That does it… you have gone too far this time! I am going to call in the Thought Police, the Moral Crusaders for Mediocrity and, well, any body else, I can think of who will punish you… I’ll spread the word, I’ll tell people how you used Bastard with a capital B…

    Reply
  19. Adam Hommey Avatar
    Adam Hommey

    Andy,
    Congratulations on your commitment to be true to yourself and your brand.
    I use the “F” word in conversations with clients every day (as do many of our clients with me). That’s called “real conversations with real people.” I speak my mind publicly and call something for what it is. When I get on a roll, I can let out a blue streak that would make a drill sergeant pause.
    Some uninformed people call me “unprofessional” or tell me to “watch my mouth.”
    Without exception, these people are just ninnies and cowards who actually fear the “midnight knock at the door” from the PC police. My response – “F” em all!
    And while we’re on the subject of corporate mindset that some other posters brought up, before I went into business for myself I worked for three companies. Without exception, every one of my bosses and supervisors for whom I have respect to this day, regularly used words like “bastard” and the “F” word. Again, that’s how real people talk in real situations. It’s the ones who were all PC about that, that never really meant much to me, then or now.
    Strong language is a part of life. People need to grow up. God!
    Keep it real!
    – ARH

    Reply
  20. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla’ Palmer’s Personal Development list obligates each of us to also post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post it. This list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html.

    Reply
  21. Uri Kalish Avatar
    Uri Kalish

    🙂

    Reply
  22. Mel Avatar
    Mel

    The correct link is:
    http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html

    Reply
  23. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    Anybody with a “personal development blog” containing the words “bastard”, “asshole”, and “whore”, I need to have in my aggregator.
    f-wordin’ a.

    Reply
  24. Jayne Avatar
    Jayne

    It never ceases to amaze me the people who troll around the internet checking other people’s grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
    Sounds like someone missed his calling as a primary school teacher. As far as I’m concerned, those are the only people who have a legitimate call to correct others, and even then they should confine it to their students.

    Reply
  25. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    Hello there! I am inviting members of Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development List to participate in a blog series based on the Desiderata. I hope you’ll consider participating. Here is a link describing the project: Help Wanted: Desiderata Series. Thank you and have a great day.

    Reply
  26. Lee Ann Avatar
    Lee Ann

    Ha-ha. You’ve got to be you –
    even if that includes some bastards and assholes.

    Reply
  27. Dave Lewis Avatar
    Dave Lewis

    Those farggin iceholes. HA! You have to be who you are. If people have an issue with your language on your site, then the should get a helmet.
    😀

    Reply
  28. Des Walsh Avatar
    Des Walsh

    Your critic should probably not visit Australia, where the word is used frequently, without any conscious reference to parentage and often as a term of friendliness between males. “How are goin’, y’ole bastard?” is a very matey greeting. “Lucky bastard” a mixture of envy and admiration. “Big bastard got a way” – fisherman’s story. “Cheeky bastard” – a friendly way of talking about, say, a blogger who enjoys ruffling a few feathers 🙂

    Reply
  29. Anne-Marie Avatar
    Anne-Marie

    The only time I ever heard my dad swear was when he was doing business over the phone. And he was a gentleman and very professional.
    Andy, Illegitimi non carborundum – don’t let the bastards get you down.

    Reply
  30. Dan Schawbel Avatar
    Dan Schawbel

    They certainly wouldn’t be in your target market, thats for sure. People that can’t handle the voice on your blog, shouldn’t be reading it anyways.

    Reply
  31. Melinda Avatar
    Melinda

    Dear Andy, you’re entitled to use the language you want, but you really are a cretin. The poor fellow was trying to help you, so when your internet marketing business goes bust, you’ll be able to reflect upon the fact that it’s sometimes good to listen to friendly criticism and not get uptight about it

    Reply
  32. Melinda Avatar
    Melinda

    Dear Andy, I enjoy your blog. You’re entitled to use the language you want, but you really are a cretin. The poor fellow was trying to help you, so when your internet marketing business goes bust, you’ll be able to reflect upon the fact that it’s sometimes good to listen to friendly criticism and not get uptight about it

    Reply
  33. Priscilla Palmer Avatar
    Priscilla Palmer

    I can help but wonder what happened to you. Not with language (that’s your deal) but, where are you at? For someone who normally posts several times a day to nothing for a month, I’m a just a little concerned. Hope all is okay. We miss you!

    Reply

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