To make this sexist client feel as uncomfortable as possible?

[Hop27]

We are currently working with a client who has been extremely sexist towards me in a non-work environment. We used to train at the same gym, at the same session and he'd constantly make demeaning comments or belittle me openly, upon reflection I think it was maybe because I was fitter and stronger than him.
He knows I work in the same sector but didn't know who for - he's seen me at industry events, but I've been reluctant to engage with him aside an acknowledgment across a room. Fast forward a few years I'm in a senior role, in a predominantly male industry and he isn't my direct client but we are working for him. It's common knowledge that he's a bit of a dick in industry and my team know I won't work with him directly due to his behaviour - so he's never invited to direct events that we hold, but is an active client. Last week we were at a lunch and one of my peers introduced me to him formally as he was at our table. The look of absolute horror when he realised who I was, who I work for...made even better by the throw away dig by my fellow director regarding if he was still training at the same gym as Hop - he literally couldn't get away from me or the lunch fast enough. Everyone noticed, and everyone now thinks is hysterical and wants to make him as uncomfortable as possible, so maybe he thinks twice before being such a misogynist in future.
AIBU to get involved in the work to make him as uncomfortable as possible?

Nope......go for it :)

So long as it doesn't backfire! Could he bin the contract / get vindictive?

Rise above playing silly games.

Do it, it's not a 'silly game' in the least, hopefully it will help change his behaviour

Be professional at all times
But if you get a chance to show the fucker up go for it

If you can't retain your professionalism while working with him I'd ensure you're never in that position again. It won't be quite so hilarious when either shared what's apps bt u and ur team come out or your colleagues tell the wrong person etc etc.

I get why it would be tempting, but it would be massively unprofessional. I would stay firmly on the moral high ground in your shoes. It sounds like karma is biting him on the bum without any active input from you anyway.

I personally wouldn’t. You’ve all had a bit of a laugh about it and he does deserve it but the old adage “do not lower yourself to his level” fits here IMO.

That would be unprofessional. You should have dealt with his inappropriate remarks when he was actually making them.

Soooooo tempting but I'd say you've already won based on his reaction, and sometimes silence is deadly :)

When they go low, you go high.

The job's already done, isn't it? I'd stay professional.

Obviously I wouldn't do anything unprofessional, and I will take the higher ground doesn't stop the fact the petty part in me is tempted a little !

Take the high road, demonstrating professional excellence at all times. Blank him at every opportunity. Tell colleagues not to mention anything about him having a maggot dick which was a well-known issue at the gym you used to go to.

Are you going to work on the account? If so, can you recuse yourself from the account if you don't want to work with him?

If not can you keep it strictly professional and avoid all gym-based references to who's fitter and stronger and who has a bigger army?

That would be better all round for everyone at your company.

He knows now that everyone in your firm knows. You have the power now. If you join the account then you do so with the aim of doing an amazing job, knocking out out of the park. Being in his face all the time about your fantastic work. That is the way to revenge

Revenge fantasies are sweet.

Changing the behaviour of others is hard.

Actions like this won't change his beliefs or actions.

It sounds like this would take energy and achieve little.

The point has been made. A sustained campaign is creating your own karma.

If you are the sole owner of the company you can conduct yourself as you please.

If you are an employee, make sure to cover your ass, because as it is, you gossiped about a client and alienated him at a client entertainment event. People get reprimanded and occasionally lose jobs over misconduct like this.

And if you do happen to be summoned for a conversation with HR/executives, please don’t tell them how he was mean to you at the gym, it will harm your career.

We used to train at the same gym, at the same session and he'd constantly make demeaning comments or belittle me openly, upon reflection I think it was maybe because I was fitter and stronger than him.

Was it not possibly to report him for harassment at the gym?

The look of absolute horror when he realised who I was, who I work for.

I'd imagine he's the type of man who thinks females must be in admin/secretarial roles etc. You can literally be saying to their face that you're in eg a technical role or hold a position and they'll be hearing "I'm a secretary".

One said to me "if you are indeed the X role" .... When I'd just rung him and explained what I needed (info wise) because I was the x role

And the younger you are, the worse it is.

This is a tricky one ... Everyone already send to know what he's like. That's good. I'd tread carefully/not get too caught up in it

He clearly thought he'd get away with demeaning and belittling and harassing you (and that you must, if in the same industry, be inferior to him in it); poor pet found out that's not the case.

You're in a senior position.
You should stop gossiping and laughing and ensure everyone treats him with professionalism as he's a client.

It doesn't matter that he's a dick. You either drop him as a client or work with him properly.