One Saturday I was going out with my kids and as we came out into the parking area on of my regulars had a Roundup tank on his back, mask and was spraying the ivy and brambles on the fence. Apart from the fact that my children were planning on picking the blackberries, he'd even sprayed my flowers and bit of grass on that side, I was so stunned all I could say was " X you've sprayed the honeysuckle, how's it all going to look'? His reply was that it certainly wouldn't look as bad as it did now and that honeysuckle is practically a weed that grows everywhere. Still stunned I said that we were going shopping, he then gave me a cheery satisfied smile pulled out ?140 out of his pocket, handed it to me  and said "well I'll probably be gone before you get back, have a lovely time, and kids be good for mum" I didn't want to cause a scene with kids with me and neighbours looking on so just swiftly pocketed the money without comment and acted like he was the gardener, who for some strange reason had randomly given us money for the weekly shopping, got in the car resolving to sort him out later. I think he actually stood and waved us off before he continued spraying. It was at this point that along with a few other observations I'd made, I realised that X was probably on the autistic spectrum, never taking social cues for ending appointment etc. Yes he'd commented on the greenery before, I'd make some non committal response and he'd decided in his head that it should be sprayed and that's what I wanted too - he'd misjudged my response and assumed that his thoughts were mine too which is classic for autism. I think that at least some of our intense stalker clients may be on the spectrum and just not picking up on social cues. Since then I've been very unambiguous in my communication with him and it's sort of fine now. I don't assume that he'll pick up on my inferences and facial expression for instance. I do agree though that some clients are just cheeky or deluded, for instance I've had far too many emails from a client I'm supposed to be meeting tonight finally signing off on the last one with, 'looking forward to meeting you for the first of many visits and in a earlier email saying that he hopes that I'll consider a discount for his intended future bookings.......ooh, do you think that I should just stay in tonight and have a hot chocolate.

I'm too bloody nice is the trouble and I dont know how to deal with it. Ultimately I hope he just gets bored/goes off me or something as I find his meets very intense. He tickles me, massages me, wants to chat for ages etc. He usually books two hours.
I prefer to turn up, get straight to it and then leave with money in my pocket lol.
Sorry if i rambled a bit lol x

If you don't know how to deal with it, you don't have to straight away - if you really can't face seeing him just politely tell him you're already booked/not available at the time he wants and then you can plan how to be straight with him when you are eventually face to face.

A very good prop in these situations is a husband/partner/boyfriend; I wore a wedding ring for years out of habit after I bought it when visiting a country I knew I'd get pestered in alone, but it definitely helps stop punters getting any ideas. You can mention something you're looking forward to doing with Mr Hannah, and if that doesn't work you can still be polite and professional if you tell him that his behaviour is making you uncomfortable.

For what it's worth I've had quite a few of these over the years (and I like to keep my private life private, so never mentioned Mr Amy) and losing them as clients is the usual outcome, but for the sake of your sanity it's never a bad thing .

The client is unreasonably reasonable offering to take us to dinner, to give us lifts where ever we want (he's private hire driver). He spends a fortune which I feel guilty about but hubby just says its his choice and I need to harden up.

Well he's right about the money; how the bloke spends his own money is his own concern, but if it seeing this man is causing you real stress then you don't have to do anything of the kind - nobody is obliged to put up with being made to feel distressed when they're working however much money they're getting, and the two things are completely different.

If it was me, I'd have one single crack at explaining this to him and if he took no notice just refuse to see him again. It's unlikely to work if he's completely pigheaded and when it's happened to me I've retained precisely one client out of the lot (and even he needs reminding occasionally), so instead of feeling bad about losing him if it happens, feel positive and relieved that you don't have to put up with any more of that shite .

And tell him you can book your own taxis, too. Taking him up on 'non work' offers won't help in the slightest.

but yeah... had one this week that i hadn't seen in awhile.
i'd been giving it some distance and letting some time pass after telling him i'm not able to form personal relationships with clients.
he had understood (or so it seemed) and even thanked me for being so upfront and honest, instead of leading him on.
about a month passes, and i accept a request for a session with him.
but... before the session, i called to confirm our appointment.. as soon as i mention my rates (to remind him of what they are, since it's been awhile) he acts all surprised and shocked that i'm charging him at all.
"alice, i didnt realize this was THAT kind of meeting..."

*GROAN*
err... what other kind of meeting would it be? when have we ever had any other kind of meeting?? (never, that's when!)
i had to put the brakes on it right there.