Access Negotiation – for students who wish to interview me

In my dictionary, access negotiation refers to the proper procedure for negotiating interviews with interviewees.  I get approached by students a lot – so here’s the proper procedure:

a. Your lecturer/principal has to send me a proper letter.  You don’t just call up George Yeo, do you?  I expect to be treated with no less respect than you would treat a PAP politician (or with no more disrespect, depending on how you view PAP politicians)

b. I will review the letter and decide if I will accept the interview.  Please don’t assume that I will accept the interview because you have a lot of respect for transsexuals, think they are courageous etc etc etc.  Of course you do, otherwise why would you approach me?  And please don’t say I’m an “interesting” subject/topic.  I’m not.  I’m just an ordinary woman who has to earn her living like Zoe Tay.  I’m also not out to save the world.  That’s too far-fetched.

c. I’m not obliged to help anyone.  I’m not obliged to “speak up” for transsexuals.  I don’t receive government funding.  I don’t receive public funding.  So I’m not under any obligation to do anything, to represent anyone, moral or otherwise.  In my list of priorities, there are orphans in Sri Lanka, child prostitutes in Cambodia, rainforests in Brazil and transgender folk.  Transgender folk are part of my community – there’s no denying that.  But they are not at the top of the list of people I’m reaching out to right now.   I’ve never claimed to represent transgender people.  I don’t know how to.  Neither do I wish to

d. I’ll think of something when the time comes.  Right now I need to eat

P.S. I tend to help students when they practise proper access negotiation.  I’m not a bitch.  I just sound like one