How not to network effectively

[syed]

When not doing the hands on work of massage I am doing all I can to attend workshops and business seminars to help grow my business. Below are some experiences of some recent events I have attended.

Earlier today I attended an eCommerce workshop. During a break a lady came up to me and thrust her business card at me with no formal introduction apart from, "here is my business card". I smiled and jokingly asked, "why would I want this?", she didn't get my sense of humour and just walked off and went to ask the speaker a question. When she had finished I approached her and said that I had only been joking and had not meant to cause any offence. She then informed me that she did not play games and that because lunch was not being laid on she was going out to get something. Ooohh that told me!! Before the next workshop started I was talking with a friend. This same humourless woman ignored me and started a conversation with my friend asking how she had found the workshop so far. Being the adult that I am I didn't say anything and let my friend talk with her. Afterwards my friend apologised but I said it was ok as it was the other lady who had been rude. Maybe this lady was very stressed but I felt there was no need for her rudeness twice. This lady was not a therapist but a architect designer or something like that.

Had someone asked me why they should have my business card I would have told them how I might be able to help them or someone they knew. If they were still not interested that would not be a problem to me and I would say something along the lines of "no problem, it was nice meeting you". However I don't just walk up to people and thrust my card at them. Maybe I should leave my humour at the front door.

At another event last weekend as a speaker was about to re-start a session after a break there was a woman totally ignoring this fact as she proceeded to walk up to me and others giving out her business card. I took the woman's card but will not be contacting her about her business.

What not so postive things have happened to you at business workshops or events?