This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/billionaire-warren-buffett-unveils-criticism-for-saying-if-a-lady-says-no-she-means-maybe-cnbc-a7604951.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Billionaire Warren Buffett sparks criticism for saying that 'If a lady says no, she means maybe' Billionaire Warren Buffett sparks criticism for saying that 'if a lady says no, she means maybe'
(about 1 hour later)
Finance billionaire Warren Buffett has triggered a wave of criticism after comparing Heinz Kraft’s attempt to takeover Unilever to a woman responding to sexual advances.Finance billionaire Warren Buffett has triggered a wave of criticism after comparing Heinz Kraft’s attempt to takeover Unilever to a woman responding to sexual advances.
Mr Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway which is a major shareholder of Heinz Kraft, was asked by an interviewer on CNBC why the massive consumer goods company had made an offer for its Anglo-Dutch rival even though the latter was clearly not interested in a tie-up.Mr Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway which is a major shareholder of Heinz Kraft, was asked by an interviewer on CNBC why the massive consumer goods company had made an offer for its Anglo-Dutch rival even though the latter was clearly not interested in a tie-up.
He said that “if a diplomat says yes, he means maybe. If he says maybe, he means no. And if he says no, he’s no diplomat.”He said that “if a diplomat says yes, he means maybe. If he says maybe, he means no. And if he says no, he’s no diplomat.”
He then added that “if a lady says no, she means maybe. And if she says maybe, she means yes. And if she says yes, she's no lady.”He then added that “if a lady says no, she means maybe. And if she says maybe, she means yes. And if she says yes, she's no lady.”
Mr Buffett has a reputation for recounting folksy tales to illustrate business practices and the psychology of investing, but this time he appeared to cross a line, triggering a wave of disapproval and mockery.Mr Buffett has a reputation for recounting folksy tales to illustrate business practices and the psychology of investing, but this time he appeared to cross a line, triggering a wave of disapproval and mockery.
“Warren Buffett’s analogy for Kraft’s failed Unilever takeover is cringeworthy,” news outlet Fortune tweeted from its official account.“Warren Buffett’s analogy for Kraft’s failed Unilever takeover is cringeworthy,” news outlet Fortune tweeted from its official account.
In a letter to investors in 2007, Mr Buffett compared unsuccessful business deals to  "ugly" women saying: “A line from Bobby Bare’s country song explains what too often happens with acquisitions: 'I’ve never gone to bed with an ugly woman, but I’ve sure woke up with a few.'”In a letter to investors in 2007, Mr Buffett compared unsuccessful business deals to  "ugly" women saying: “A line from Bobby Bare’s country song explains what too often happens with acquisitions: 'I’ve never gone to bed with an ugly woman, but I’ve sure woke up with a few.'”