Re: Not me...
Many moons ago, the company I worked for was Cisco's biggest customer, and likewise were paying tens of millions for a maintenance contract with them. Didn't take long to work out how we could reduce spend by >90%. Cue a very urgent meeting request from Cisco.
Now although being a PBH at the time, I like to keep my hand in so was helping some of the engineers with an install, thinking I would don suit and tie after, in time for aforesaid meeting. Am outside, in raggy chino's, grubby company polo shirt, smoking a dog-eared rollup when Cisco execs arrive and enter building. As I follow them in, one turns round, scowls at me, and shuts the door in my face.
Decided not to wear a suit, walked into meeting and let colleague introduce me as " shortlegs, the senior manager who is hosting this meeting and deciding our maintenance strategy". The expression on the face of the Cisco exec was "Mastercard".
Not that we were immune. One of our customers had secured a multi-billion contract in the US. Cue our Account Manager (salesman) walking into a meeting with them, turning round to the only female present and saying "white two sugars love". He then went on to ignore her all afternoon.
Not the cleverest attitude to take with the Director, Service Management.
Lesson 101: don't pee off any individual at a client site, you have no idea who they are. Most especially when they are the most important person in the room.