I didn't mess up this time, my wife did. There's this commercial agent she works with, whom she usually gifts stuff from her shop - steaks, sausages, salame, ham - everytime he visits to place and sort out orders.
The man has put on some weight as of late and he even jokes about it - he's not obese, just put on some frame. Well, my wife went on and joked about how he risks crushing his wife in bed, and she thinks she went overboard with it because the guy got "shy" with her and has since been politely refusing the free stuff and says he's already fat enough.
He doesn't act cold, but he definitely put some distance. In my opinion she should be straightforward with it and tell him plainly she said a very stupid thing and apologize - especially if he gave signs of discomfort and not finding it funny anymore and she just kept egging him.
I put things into perspective to her - the joke about the weight could have flied, but the joke about "crushing" his wife was both tasteless and also carried very unpleasant connotations, especially coming from a woman.
She has to recognize the guy has been nothing but professional and respectful for her, and he Is a customer too so in a way he provides for our livelihood.
I advised her to take him aside and apologize for the tasteless joke and at the same time
Also offer him a reasonable discount or a good deal as a sign of goodwill.
The guy took it very well and accepted gladly.
