Posted by ohnotary on 7/30/10 4:31am
Msg #346944

What would you have Done?

Had an appointment with a Public Official. Got to his office, Tried to introduce myself after being lead into his office, HE tells you to shut up and he will come to your table shortly.
He sits down, Grabbes the few docs that need to be signed, Signs them in a rush and then Runs out of the office. BEfore you are even able to notarize those docs, You are shown the door. No Oath, being done, Nothing. Just looking for your opinon..

Reply by VA/VA on 7/30/10 4:39am
Msg #346945

When he told me to "shut up" I would have walked out.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 7/30/10 4:40am
Msg #346947

Ditto, I wouldn't put up with that either.

Reply by Ilene C. Seidel on 7/30/10 4:40am
Msg #346946

I realize you probably knew who he was but did he show you ID? And he really told you to "shut up"? Did you say anything to him about his behavior?

Reply by Mary Ellen Elmore on 7/30/10 5:14am
Msg #346950

I would have walked at "shut up".

Reply by CopperheadVA on 7/30/10 6:10am
Msg #346951

Did he even show you his ID? Very weird.

Sounds like he would have been insulted to have to show you ID - did he give you an opportunity to ask for it?

Reply by Teresa/FL on 7/30/10 6:23am
Msg #346952

Did you complete the notarizations?

I would have walked out after being told to "shut up."

With no identification being presented and no oaths being given, I would not complete the notarizations and would be on the phone to the hiring party immediately.

Although "personally known" is acceptable for identification in Florida, I always ask for and obtain ID from all signers, even those I know well. The lack of proper notarial procedure in this case (no oath given) would mean no notarization on my part.

We are all busy, but this behavior is inexcusable.

What did you end up doing?

Reply by jba/fl on 7/30/10 6:45am
Msg #346955

The most complete, responsible, logical answer!

Above the law are we?

What did you do?

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/30/10 11:57am
Msg #347004

Good answer! n/m

Reply by Lee/AR on 7/30/10 6:24am
Msg #346953

Seems to me to be a moot question...."BEfore you are even able to notarize those docs, You are shown the door. No Oath, being done, Nothing." Seems to be nothing you can do except not vote for this clown in the future.

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 7/30/10 8:07am
Msg #346961

Since the person wouldn't even acknowledge his name verbally or with ID I would have called the hiring party, informed them of what happened and left the office. The signed papers would have remained on the table. I don't care who it is, they comply with the law, period, I'm not going to lose my commission or risk getting fined or go to jail for anyone.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/30/10 8:43am
Msg #346963

I agree...I would have been out the door

and he'd have been left holding some unnotarized documents.

Reply by MW/VA on 7/30/10 9:03am
Msg #346966

What is it about "important" people that makes them think they have a license to be rude & arrogant. It's easy to say when you're not in that situation, but I would have walked out.
Did you complete the notarization? Why?

Reply by ohnotary on 7/30/10 9:46am
Msg #346985

At least his secretary gave me a copy of his ID before we even Started. He seemed to be a little off when I made him sign my Notary Log. But still I can not believe the way people act sometimes. all I can say id Thank god he is not Mayer of the City I live in.... Or he wouldn't be getting my vote...lol

Reply by JulieD/KS on 7/30/10 10:33am
Msg #346993

You notarized his signature with only being provided a 'copy of his ID' from the secretary? I refuse to notarize unless I see the original picture ID. Not a copy.

What arrogance this public official showed to you. I think I'd have left, also.

Reply by Roger_OH on 7/30/10 11:13am
Msg #346997

If an oath was required, and he wasn't around for it to be administered, then those doc signatures don't get notarized until he IS sworn. So nothing gets completed until he cooperates and allows you to do your job in compliance with the law. Period.

Definitely inform the hiring party as well, and advise them of his utter disrespect for you.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/30/10 12:10pm
Msg #347006

I would have walked out (though not necessarily without a word) when he told me to 'sit down and shut up.'

That said, I would have informed the secretary to let him know that the signature on the docs would not be notarized until I saw the original ID and if it required an oath, he would have to comply fully before I would notarize the signature. And I would have added that he had only X minutes (2 or less) to comply or he could go through the whole process again with someone else on a different day. I would have told her to please inform him that I am busy and I don't have time to wait around for people like him to waste my time, so his 2 minutes have already started.

I show everyone respect, when it is not returned in kind, I do not feel that I am obligated to be anyone's doormat or allow anyone to continue to disrespect me.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 7/30/10 12:40pm
Msg #347014

It's my bet that Mr Rude Guy wouldn't have said "shut

up" to another man. Sad.

And how maddening!

Reply by Cari on 7/30/10 1:04pm
Msg #347020

true Susan....how true... n/m

Reply by Stoli on 7/30/10 8:09pm
Msg #347081

SS just wants to get paid; any notary will do for Mr. Rude. n/m

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/31/10 12:55am
Msg #347116

Susie, you are probably right about that.

Although this guy might have thought he had the right to treat anyone, male or female, that way. In this case, he showed his lack of 'home training.'

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 7/30/10 1:36pm
Msg #347031

Did you notarize his signature based on the copy of ID? n/m

Reply by James Dawson on 7/30/10 9:47am
Msg #346986

Teresa, Lee, Linda offer the best view on what should happen n/m

Reply by Cari on 7/30/10 10:42am
Msg #346995

after shut-up, I would've told him, f* you pal, and walked..

I mean if they're going to be outright disrespectful to you like that...that shut-up, for me, is the equivalent to a slap in the face!

There's NO excuse for that kind of talk from a public official or anyone!

But that's just me...

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 7/30/10 12:32pm
Msg #347010

Cari..that just lowers you to his level...or lower...

a quiet exit with no notarization done speaks volumes.

Reply by Cari on 7/30/10 1:03pm
Msg #347018

...you're right..but if it were me, THIS week, I dunno...;)

low ball call after the other...ugh!

Reply by PAW on 7/30/10 1:04pm
Msg #347019

There's NO excuse for that kind of talk ...

... from a public official or anyone! (Follow your own words even in a tough situation.) Always act professional, even if the clients are being super childish, arrogant or outright disrespectful. That will place you 'above' them in all respects.

Reply by Cari on 7/30/10 1:24pm
Msg #347025

I do follow my own words PAW everyday as a professional...

But if I have to let some frickin' idiot know what time it is, because of their disrespectful behavior towards me, they are sooo going to hear it, whether my words are tactful or not!

IMO, sounds like the public official idiot could've used some 'interesting harsh words' to wake their a$$ up, if anything to realize that they were not dealing with a child, but another public official who deserved nothing but respect!!

As a matter of fact, the OP should've stopped in their tracks, slam shut his door, turn around and while waving the middle finger, give this guy a piece of their mind!

Just my .02...

Reply by MistarellaFL on 7/30/10 2:30pm
Msg #347038

Amen, Paul!

<<<Always act professional, even if the clients are being super childish, arrogant or outright disrespectful.>>>

But, when something like this happens, I fantasize about giving a response like Cari's, LOL.
I just always keep it in my head.
But, by acting professional on the outside, it certainly does speak volumes to any witnesses.
A couple of times it has even led to more work!

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 7/30/10 2:42pm
Msg #347041

When I am forced to deal with very difficult people in the

course of my business, I just tell myself, " My next appointment will be
with a normal person, and this jerk will be an A$$h#$% the rest of his miserable life. "
No way is answering rudeness with the same, going to change anyone's conduct. .

Reply by Les_CO on 7/30/10 1:26pm
Msg #347027

It’s hard to say what I would have done? On the spur of the moment, probably what Cari said.

Now that I think about it…..I think maybe I’d have said:
“Your worship, we can do this two ways, your way which means you will be spending your precious time with a different notary to get these, perhaps to you, important papers signed and notarized. Or we can set here and you can follow my instructions as to what must be done, and we’ll be finished in a flash."

Reply by LKT/CA on 7/30/10 7:35pm
Msg #347069

<<<“Your worship, we can do this two ways, your way which means you will be spending your precious time with a different notary to get these, perhaps to you, important papers signed and notarized. Or we can set here and you can follow my instructions as to what must be done, and we’ll be finished in a flash.">>>

LOL!! Great comeback!!! Love this response!

Reply by Stoli on 7/30/10 8:10pm
Msg #347083

Did you notarize or not? n/m

Reply by Barbara A Demonte on 7/31/10 7:51am
Msg #347134

Re: Did you notarize or not?

She didn't answer this question for either of us. I'll bet that she notarized the signature on the documents.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 7/31/10 1:05am
Msg #347117

"Your worship.." I hope I never have to use it, but that is

one I would have to keep in mind if this type of situation presents itself. Short, to the point, and lets him know that he is acting like a royal pain at the same time. And it can be said with a smile!