Interesting.  I'll just stick to home inspections

If I didn't have to deal with the crawl spaces under these Oklahoma homes I might agree! 

Eric, I've run into Realtors(R) like this.  Some agents are their own worst enemies.  I suppose if the agent were totally uncooperative, you could go over her head and have your broker contact her broker.  Otherwise, just try to avoid doing business with her in the future.

It seems that many agents lose sight of their clients major needs.  I compare it to a sports agent that advises a client to sign for the highest dollar even if it means going to a team where the player won't thrive.  It seems RE agents can sometimes take that shortsighted approach and forget that the seller is selling for a reason, and it's not usually so they can cash out the highest amount of money.

Ah, if only people were as logical and predictable as computers.  Individual personalities are as varied as the fonts on my computer and some can be a bit of a challenge indeed.  I know your post is after suggestions and I regret that I don't have a good one beyond philosophizing a bit.  But perhaps you hit on the key in your last sentence and that's to tell them "it's business and not personal".  Doesn't mean it will change their lives or their personality but it may make you feel better.

Did she tell you that right after she gave you her speech about how much experience she has and how many homes she has sold?  I think I know that agent!