Interesting invite

[Effjay]

I work as a buyer in a big company. Today, one our key suppliers invited me to a VIP event. They are a new supplier, with a European base in Germany, and a manufacturing plant in China.

Anyway, the VIP event happens after a trade show in Germany, with the usual cocktails, etc but the highlight is that they have a replica F1 car, and they were offering the chance (not to be missed!!!) to have a photo taken with the F1 grid girls.

The thought of a night out with a load of leary German men is not my idea of a good night out, funnily enough! I want to decline this invite politely, but make it clear the exact reason why, without offending what is actually a very important supplier that I have been working with for the past nine months (I am their key contact in our business). Any suggestions on a smart, sassy answer?

They are a supplire, rather than a client?

Can't think of anything smart and sassy.

Only angry.

I have no idea if this idea is just stupid and would get you into trouble but could you decline in a sort of faux naive 'I am declining the invitation that you have mistakenly sent me for the men's VIP event. I am looking forward to receiving my invitation for the VIP event you have organised for women as I am sure it will be super! Many thanks, how kind of you to organise specific events for the different interests of men and women you lovely thoughtful supplier you, blah, blah, business speak charm, in anticipation, your most grateful client Effjay'.

Even if you don't do it can we at least have the fun of helping you write it on here?

Oh, why don't you go and make a point of having yourself photographed with the F1 grid girls?

'Thank you for your kind invitation. I shall have to decline, as the nature of the activities advertised (posing with F1 Grid "Girls") is inconsistent with our company's equal opportunities policy.'

I'd send a standard 'thanks but no thanks' response by mail. However, I would talk to your senior contact at the supplier and ask them if they realise just how inappropriate the content of the invitation is.

Would a bit of sarcasm do it?
"As much as I've always wanted to pose with girls in hot pants, I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline the invitation"

Sarcasm, I fear, would be lost on the type of person who thinks the chance to pose with the grid girls is 'not to be missed'.

i like thistledew's 'incompatible with equal opportunities policy'.

or you could ask to be photographed with the male mechanics or drivers in hot pants? i'm undecided...

I like thistledew's idea too. This is loopy. They could have had a proper track day where you all got to drive, but noooo, they had to go with the lame option. I'm guessing that a lot of the men are going to find it a bit boring as well.

You might want to use the word "reputational" in there as well as a clear sign to them that it isn't just that you don't get to leer too, it's that your company vies this stuff as seedy and likely to reflect in the participants and host.

Thanks for all your ideas - great suggestions - really tempted to ask for men in hotpants madwoman.

It still astounds me that in this day and age a big multinational company thinks this is the way to reward their clients. It's like I've time-warped back to the 70s and totally inappropriate for all their female clients.