Recent events leave me saddened. Which almost always serves to spark my curiosity (see: being sad need not be such a bad thing). My question:
I have heard tales of reference requests from Lady A to Lady B generating texts and PM's from Lady B to Joe Hobby (the subject of the reference request), offering specials and the like to see Lady B vs. Lady A, a perhaps not "best practice," but also a not entirely despicable business practice. It's not like Lady B told Lady A that Joe Hobby was a creepo or anything.
But what if she did say he's a creepo? And what if he isn't a creepo? What if she is just a touch like Kathy Bates in Misery? Misguided. Conniving. Selfish. Whatever. Does this happen with any regularity? Do ladies allow for this possibility, and take some references with a "grain of salt"?
Do share your experience and expertise.