31/08/2026
A little note about responsibility and respect in online business
One thing I've been reflecting on lately is how differently some people behave online compared to how they would behave in person.
Most of us would never walk into a shop, ask someone to prepare a product specially for us, confirm that we want it, ask for it urgently, and then simply decide not to pay because we've changed our minds. Yet somehow, when there is a screen between us, some people seem to think different rules apply.
I've been fortunate to work with wonderful clients for many years. In fact, after a couple of bad experiences several years ago, I introduced a simple rule: payment in advance for all translations. It wasn't a decision I made lightly, but unfortunately a few people chose not to pay for work that had already been delivered.
The problem is that real life is rarely black and white.
Sometimes it's a long-standing client I've worked with for years. Sometimes it's someone who urgently needs a translation and there simply isn't enough time for an international payment to arrive. Sometimes a client provides proof that they're trying to pay but they're experiencing banking issues and ask me to start because they have an important deadline.
In those situations, I make exceptions because I believe in trust, flexibility and helping people when they genuinely need it.
Lately, however, I've encountered more than one person who has decided not to pay after the work was completed, or who informed me that they "no longer needed the translation" once it had already been done.
Today's situation was particularly disappointing. A client urgently needed a translation for Monday morning. On Friday, she gave me a clear go-ahead, told me she would make the payment that afternoon, and asked me to meet a very tight deadline. I completed the work. Today, she informed me that she no longer needed the translation and that, because she never sent the payment confirmation, the completed work was essentially my problem.
In other words, I was expected to absorb the loss because I chose to trust her.
I don't share this to complain. Every self-employed professional experiences situations like this from time to time. I share it because I think it's important to remember that there is a real person on the other side of the screen.
When freelancers, translators, designers, developers, consultants or any other professionals commit to a project, they invest their time, expertise and often their weekends and evenings to meet someone else's deadline.
All I ask for is a little responsibility, a little honesty, and a little respect for the people who work online.
Trust should not be punished.
Official sworn translator with 16+ years experience specializing in visa, immigration and legal document translations. Licensed #7249, fast turnaround, accepted by all Spanish authorities.
