Thursday my family and I buried my Mom, so to say that I’m in a different state of mind is probably correct.

Usually, I’m interested in having genuine conversations with people. I am interested in knowing who they are, where they’re from, and what they’re up to. On a plane, I tend to read body language and if I see that the person is deep into his book, or looks sad, or angry, I tend to leave them alone out of consideration. Sometimes people are open to conversations, sometimes they’re not…but I am usually always able to tell the difference.

Friday, I flew out of New Orleans to Denver on my way to Vegas and then drive home to the OC (long story, don’t ask). I board my plane and walk to the back. I’m not particularly in a talkative mood, so I am avoiding eye contact, but on the rare occasion that I do make it, I smile, weakly and move on.

I have an aisle seat, middle seat is empty and there’s a young gal sitting at the window. She smiles and practically yells out “HI!” as if this were her first time making human contact with someone! So excited to see me, oh my heavens! How can she stand it! I semi smile and say hello, then think to myself…”not really wanting to talk lady, read my face”. She says, “You going to Vegas?” I bite the urge to say, “Why no, I’m headed to Salt Lake and thought I’d take the scenic route”…instead, I say yes….”ME TOO! Do you live in Denver? What are you going to do in Vegas? Are you meeting some people there?
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(What I immediately think of!)<



I let her know that I’m not staying in Vegas, I’m just flying there to pick up my car and then driving to Orange County. “Why?” she asks. I tell her it’s a long story but that my mom was on her deathbed and it was the cheapest flight out for me…”Oh!” she says…”so where’d she die?” WOAH! What? REALLY!!!??? People ask those kinds of questions? I want to scream and we haven’t even finished boarding yet!



I tweet out “heaven help me”…just then a young man comes and informs us he has the middle seat. An answer to prayer..…”HI! Are you going to Vegas?” How old are you? Are you going to have a drink? I am and I need a drinking buddy….” Mind you that he hasn’t even fully sat down yet….he answers her questions and takes his seat…she proceeds….
“So what was your name again?” He finishes getting comfortable and then fastens his belt and she says she has to go to the ladies room….REALLY? We haven’t even taken off yet…GOOD NIGHT IRENE!!


We get up…off she goes…she comes back…sits down…”So, what do you do for a living, how long have you been doing that, what is that, how old are you (again) “ He answers her questions a little taken aback. Then he asks her what she does for a living….”OH! I’M A REALTOR” and I almost lose my lunch! YOU’RE A REALTOR AND YOU’RE ACTING LIKE A CRACK ADDICT!?



You’re not even taking the time to listen to the answers he gave you without jumping on to the next question! You’re bombarding him with questions because that’s what you think you should do, but somewhere along the way, no one taught you the value of “JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN!”

I was embarrassed for my industry!

I know that we Realtors come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and political affiliations. I get that we won’t work with everyone we meet, and I admit that I am an acquired taste (pain in the butt, really) and tend to babble….HOWEVER…it embarrasses me that someone so genuinely disinterested in really learning about the person you are having a conversation with, but spewing questions for the sake of hearing your voice, is out there…representing an industry that I hold so dear to my heart….No wonder we ‘re not respected as an industry….I heard her speak and could only think that she is but one reason we’re on the lowest rung of the professional totem pole.

The flight attendant must have a Twitter account and seen my plea to the Twitterverse…..she walked over to me and said, “There’s a seat in the last row if you would like it…I smile, truly appreciative…and change seats. Second answered prayer of the day. Amen

What do YOU think? As a professional in your industry, do you totally let loose and then tell people what you do for a living, or do you let loose and not even bring up what you in order to keep from tarnishing your industry? Or do you, like Chatty Cathy, not really care and let the chips fall where the may? Enquiring minds (and a nosey FUNomenalRealtr) want to know…