Tilly Smith Dix

A freeloading hack takes advantage of one of TILLY SMITH DIX’s clients

Then there was the travel writer (one of only two I’ve ever removed from my database) who loved the finer things in life, such as Johnny Walker Black Label.

I arranged for him to visit a 5-star country hotel where he was provided with a royal suite, three meals a day, horse trails and a spa treatment to soften his weathered complexion. Our intrepid hack claimed to have been a Jeep-driving, khaki-clad, croc-fighting Camel man type.

Anyhow, our Camel man (in his dreams) indulged not only in the fine free wines provided with the meals as part of his complimentary press visit but knocked back many Johnny Walker Black Labels after dinner on his final day.

He promised the barman he’d settle his bill before departure the following morning, only to duck out long BEFORE breakfast.

An early bird, but he must have had a babbelas from hell as he’d consumed at least a bottle of the good stuff.

The client was highly peeved at “yet another free-loading hack taking advantage” and when I finally tracked down Camel-man to ask that he kindly pay his JWBL bill, his response was: “Oh, they get plenty of exposure as my story will probably appear in more than one publication as I’m a celebrated travel writer so they can sing for the money. They’re far too precious and grand anyway.”

Cocky, or what?  So, this particular bird made it onto my extinct-from-invitation list. Another day in the life  …

Journalist James Siddall’s perspective: Why I Hate Media Tours