I had a call scheduled for 14:30. This new client had invited me using Teams, which I rarely use. I opened it up at 14:25 to realise it needed an update. I ran the update and sent this client a message saying I might be a couple of minutes late and explained why. I joined the call at 14:31, where I apologised immediately, but the client opened with (in a very aggressive tone) "If you can't be on time for a meeting, how can we be sure you can deliver a website on time?" (EDIT: To be clear, I wasn't annoyed at what she had said, rather the tone of which she said it. I think a lot of the comments I have received have been around me not being able to take criticism that I was late, that isn't the case. I just won't be spoken to like someone less than another person. I won't be yelled at. I am not in school, she is not my teacher. This behaviour is not okay - just FYI) To which I replied: "Nope, this definitely isn't going to work. I won't be spoken to like that. Good luck finding a web designer and the best of luck with your project but I won't be taking this on. And I left the call" Now you might think that was a dick move, or an entitled move, or whatever. But I think that this highlights knowing not only your self worth, but also immediately spotting when a client is going to be a bad fit for you and your business. We ignore red flags all the time, because we focus heavily on the bottom line. But no amount of money should be enough to be spoken in a horrible manner. So, to everyone out there, especially freelancers, don't forget that you are the expert in what you are doing. There is a time for 'the customer is always right' - but don't be spoken down to and know your own worth. I have hundreds of wonderful clients, I don't need any that are going to have a negative impact on my mental health. Don't let other people dictate your happiness in business #freelance #freelancers #clients #rude #redflag EDIT 2: As I have said REPEATEDLY - I know I was in the wrong for being late. The issue wasn't about me being called out, it was the tone and aggression this client showed despite me apologising immediately upon joining the call.