Don't Ask the Question IF You Don't Want the Answer. I've been saying this since I was in high school, mainly because I am, and always have been, a straight talking individual. I don't "follow the crowd" and I will rarely agree just to make a person happy with themselves. In the open fields of the Internet and the anonymity that it gives, people in general follow this principle. So, it always amazes me when I comment on blog post where the writer has posed a question and when I return to see their response, learn that my comment is no where to be found.
Yes, folks, I've been deleted. Don't get me wrong. It's their blog. They can determine what comments they want or not. Doesn't bother me at all. Still, I lose a lot of respect for anyone where the only reason the comment is deleted is because it does not agree with the premise of what is written.
And no, I wasn't rude or unprofessional or even really contrary to what was posted. I merely answered the questions posed. Apparently, since my answers didn't agree with what the writer intended, that was enough to get my comment deleted. I guess for some, if you can't tell them how great they are and what a wonderful piece of prose they just wrote, you're not allowed to comment on their blogs.
Unfortunately, in the real world, people do have different views. If you can't handle a differing opinion, I'd suggest to you that writing on a forum such as ActiveRain that encourages not only commenting, but actually generating discussions isn't a great idea. At the very least, you may want to consider disabling comments. Sure, you won't get the comments telling you how right you are, but at least those trying to generate a real discussion will know that you're not really wanting one.
Or you simply don't ask the question IF you don't want the answer.
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
Roger - I have also subscribed to this line of life for my entire life, and I caution people sometimes to not ask the question of me if they don't want the answer. I have, for the most part, not deleted any comments on my blogs unless they were spam, or unprofessional/discourteous.
Aug 22, 2011 06:22 AM
Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO
Colorado Broker / Referral Services
A lot of times, the person asking the question, reallly does a poor job in how they ask the question. Then, the answer they get is NOT what they were intending to ask. Thera are many viewpoints in this arena of real estate, and at times, there is really NOT ONE correct answer. The blogs pose a great way to express what others in this field have experienced and it never hurts to listen, or as my dear ole Mother would say, "It never hurts to ask, it only hurts to get the answer"!
Aug 22, 2011 06:44 AM
Hickory, NC
Carol, I rarely delete the unprofessional comments. If they want to act like a jerk for the world to see, who I am I to hide it? :)
Dan, in this particular instance, that wasn't the case. I believe the "question" was posed merely to show off the writer's "greatness" at the expense of us less agents that simply "didn't get it." Not only is there often more than one correct answer, but in many cases, the best solution may be a colaboration of two viewpoints. Of course, that would be hard to know if you simply delete any opposing viewpoints.
Aug 22, 2011 07:30 AM
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