Thread: Spidey-sense or overthinking it? Persistent phone calls & odd voicemails

I got 4 calls to my business number last night; all from an unknown number (so no possibility of a call back/lookup) and all within a two hour period or so, post 8 pm. I have a "listen in" feature on this line that has callers give their name, so I was able to hear a name on the third call, but something felt weird, so I didn't pick up. There was one VM left, but it was just silence.

I got another call from an unknown number this am, and there was a message this time. It was from the person whose name I was able to hear in the previous night's calls. I'm starting a new class session next week (an intermediate beginners), and this caller wanted to know how many private lessons he would need to take between now and then (less than a week away!) to get up to speed to be able to join the group class. He said he was going to email, but I haven't seen anything yet.

Now, my classes are open to all genders, but something feels weird about this, especially with the persistence and timing of the calls paired with requests for multiple private lessons....what do you all think? Also, it's not really possible to "bring someone up to speed" that quickly, with that little advance planning for multiple lessons! If he does email, I'm probably going to say something along that line, but any other thoughts are appreciated.

I think I'd just say -- honestly -- that I don't offer privates to beginners, I find that people do much better in group classes when they're starting out. And I'd tell him when the next beginner class is.

Past experience has made me wary of people who are extremely high-maintenance even before they begin classes. Someone who resists leaving a message and taking a return call when you have time is already not working & playing well with others, IMO, and it doesn't bode well for an easy relationship in the future.

I say listen to your spidey sense. Even if he's harmless, he sounds flaky and I hate putting up with people like that.

Sounds a bit like those email scams, the ones where they are bringing one or more people to your town and need 3 weeks of intensive lessons, hope you take checks or credit cards...

I've only instructed a beginner class for my teacher...but I did find that the people who sent me lengthy emails or wanted to "chat" on the phone about class tended to not show up. I don't know why. The people who called or kept brief to-the-point emails or phone calls tended to prepay and attend on a regular basis. Your situation sounds a bit strange but it all might come down to ignorance on his part. He might just not understand what goes into this art form and that it takes a lot of time/practice to advance.

You could respond with something about needing so much advanced notice (10 days????) for private lessons and that you are currently booked up until class but can schedule something at a later date? Good luck!

Yup, definitely something hinky about him. Don't take the calls.

What Lauren said. My spidey sense is tingling too.

I think Lauren's response is perfect. I agree that it's preferable for beginners to start in a group class, and that answer doesn't leave an opening for this caller to attempt to arrange private lessons at a later date, as he might try to do if you say that the problem is short notice.

If he is sincere, hopefully he'll sign up for your next Level 1 session.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

...Past experience has made me wary of people who are extremely high-maintenance even before they begin classes.

This.

I am forgetting his name right now, but this sounds like a guys who pops up frequently in the NY bellydance class scene, always calling over and over and asking a ton of questions about being a man in the class, etc. He's done it to me a few times, once even calling the studio where I was teaching so many times that the owner told me not to accept him into the class. If it's the same guy, he eventually goes away - I don't think he's ever actually shown up for anyone's class. He seems to enjoy the attention he gets from being the "shy male potential student" but doesn't do anything else about it.

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

I am forgetting his name right now, but this sounds like a guys who pops up frequently in the NY bellydance class scene, always calling over and over and asking a ton of questions about being a man in the class, etc. He's done it to me a few times, once even calling the studio where I was teaching so many times that the owner told me not to accept him into the class. If it's the same guy, he eventually goes away - I don't think he's ever actually shown up for anyone's class. He seems to enjoy the attention he gets from being the "shy male potential student" but doesn't do anything else about it.

I'm going to PM you the name to see if it rings a bell, but that sounds right on target. Wanting to dance like a girl, etc, extremely persistent calling (at least 10+ times since Monday!). If it keeps up, I'm going to give the studio I'm renting at a heads up. <headdesk> Sometimes I wish I worked for a gym so that they could handle all this stuff!

I don't remember the guy's name, but I think I've talked to him a few times... He calls around in NJ too. Lots of nighttime calls, asking tons of questions about whether you would be willing to address him as a female and teach him to dance like one, etc. The last time I talked to him was about a year ago...

Well, he did actually email me.

After 2 more calls and another voicemail. <headdesk>

From people's previous dealings with him, is it worth emailing him back, or is that just going to feed the troll so to say?

I was planning to say that "it's my policy that private lessons are open only to intermediate and advanced level students, and that they must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance. There are many dance instructors in the area, and I'm sure that you will be able to find a studio that fits your current level of experience. Best of luck...."

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