I had a most distasteful exchange with a lady on the phone today. I delivered some news that she didn't want to hear and she didn't like it. She accused me of having an overly cavalier attitude. I told her that I didn't realize that I was being overly cavalier and offered an apology, but that didn't change the facts. That really set her off. I am not going to single her, nor her profession or type of business out, that would be just as rude if not more so than her actions. She demanded to talk to anyone over me, I let her. She wasn't any happier or less rude to the other person.
How does this relate to Real Estate, I am not sure. I see a tremendous breakdown in common courtesy and civility in most people. It seems that we all wish to be universaly respected, yet are unwilling to show any respect in turn. I am sure that I can be quite rude, I may have been in this confrontation, but upon realizing that I was percieved as rude, I did sincerely apologize and that should have ended it. I was and still am apologetic that may attitude was percieved as rude or cavalier, I need to make the necessary changes to ensure that I am not percieved nor do I act cavalierly towards other people. In this age it is paramount that we act like professionals to other people. It is also imperative that we treat people with the courtesy that we wish to recieve.
As professionals, we cannot allow a bad day to affect our mood nor our interaction with the public. That was the most disturbing part of my confrontation with this lady earlier today, she is also in a position that works with the public. Whether she hates my profession, or someone has ruined her perception of us, none of that really matters, her job, like ours is to treat each person like they are the most important person that we will meet or talk to. We cannot condone this kind of behavior, we tolerate it, but we cannot stoop to that level. I am not sure what started the attitude that causes one to think that I will respect those whom I chose, but I must be respected.
My mother taught me that I need to give others respect until their actions cause me to no longer respect them. Along with that, she taught me that there was never an excuse to be rude towards others. So I was raised that I needed to respect others and to be polite, today these are almost thought of as weaknesses. I was also raised that it was up to me to have others continue to respect me.
Anyway, I have gone on and vented enough for one day. In summation, please treat others like you wish to be treated! Being rude and being disrespectful to others isn't cool, it is just boorish behavior that has no place in society, but especially in business! Have a Great Day!