StoneMtn Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Ketchup spat embarrasses law firm An e-mail row between an executive and a secretary at a London law firm over a £4 dry cleaning bill has made its way around rival firms. Baker & McKenzie's Richard Phillips e-mailed Jenny Amner implying she had spilt tomato ketchup on his trousers and asking her to foot the bill. She apologised for her late reply a week later, blaming the "more pressing issue" of her mother's death. The firm said the "private matter" had "clearly got out of hand". “I apologise again for accidentally getting a few splashes of ketchup on your trousers “- Jenny Amner's email After Mr Phillips' e-mail of 25 May asking for the cash, Ms Amner replied on 3 June: "With reference to the e-mail below, I must apologise for not getting back to you straight away but due to my mother's sudden illness, death and funeral I have had more pressing issues than your £4. "I apologise again for accidentally getting a few splashes of ketchup on your trousers. “"Obviously your financial need as a senior associate is greater than mine as a mere secretary." Offer declined She had told partners, lawyers and trainees about his e-mail and they had offered to "do a collection" to raise the £4, she added in her e-mail. "I, however, declined their kind offer but should you feel the urgent need for £4 it will be on my desk this afternoon," she wrote. The exchange has been forwarded across the legal community with some people adding comments questioning Mr Phillips' generosity. In a statement, Baker & McKenzie confirmed it was aware of the exchange. "We are investigating so as to resolve it as amicably as we can," it said. We find it easy to use e-mail to say things we would feel a bit uncomfortable saying in person because we feel more distant from the interaction. - Dr Simon Roberts "We respect the privacy of our staff and make it a policy not to comment on individuals to the media." Commercial anthropologist Dr Simon Roberts, research director of Ideas Bazaar consultancy, said he thought Mr Phillips had chosen to e-mail the request for the money, partly because email had become the "de facto messaging medium" in business. "Also, we find it easy to use e-mail to say things we would feel a bit uncomfortable saying in person because we feel more distant from the interaction." However, Mr Phillips may be regretting starting the exchange by e-mail because "e-mails have a long memory", he added. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Yet another reminder to be careful with what you commit to the keyboard... (having a sizeable enough record of my own!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaggyBalls Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 i think i'm going to start using the word 'trousers' more often.too bad executives can be assholes. they should be happier with all that money they make off the backs of the poor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timouse Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 i'd make a lawyer joke here but if i remember correctly the CBA was trying to get them classified as hate crimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted June 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 ... whereas I, pretty much, feel free to make jokes about rodent-musicians with impunity ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timouse Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 thant's just fine. we rodents are remarkably thick skinned, and tend to take pre-emptive shots at ourselves how can you tell if the stage is level? the drummer is drooling out of both sides of his mouth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted June 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 bwahahahahahahahah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nattyMatty Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 Pfft!...Wonder what the Fee's were for that nonsense...More then a few pounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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