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Be Honest... Do You Tell a Friend She Has Spinach in Her Teeth?

By
Home Stager

SpinachBe Honest... Do You Tell a Friend She Has Spinach in Her Teeth?

This is a dilemma all of us have experienced.  Do we tell someone they have something in their teeth... that their dinner napkin is stuck to their clothing... or egads.. the TP is stuck on their heel! 

Come on... you know the feeling... do you look away and pretend you don't notice?  Your hope is that either someone else will come along and tell them or you figure if you don't "notice" it, it will disappear. 

The same thing can hold true in our business dealings and in our blogging.  If you are reading the post of a fellow blogger here at Active Rain what do you do if you see that perhaps something is awry in it?   If they're a newbie, do you ever reach out to them to offer some suggestions to enhance their posts...such as adding pictures and using bold letters? 

And even for those of us who have some time under our belts at blogging can need some assistance as well.   

So I'd like to give a shout out to a fellow Texan, great blogger and a new friend... Deb Brooks

Deb Brooks

Deb gave us the fun and enlightening recent Diary of a Realtor -Why I Chose Real Estate Contest.   In case you missed it, I would urge you to head to the link and check out the winners but also read the entries of so many of the members here.  I loved learning how so many of us... and that includes Realtors, Stagers, Lenders, Home Insectors and others in the related fields, came to our chosen fields. 

In a post I wrote recently about Google Circles, Deb was kind enough to email me and inquire about the program I used to write it. It turned out the script was coming across small and difficult to read.  

She didn't have to take the time to do that... she could have just passed on it and gone on to another blog.  And, others might have done the same.  I would have lost possible readers for all my hard work.  

So I ask you, what do you do when your fellow blogger has "spinach in their teeth"?

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(52)

Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Kathy:

Luckily, Sandi Nichols called me to let me know that I had inadvertently published a blog I though was in draft form.  Sandi is a friend who would tell me about the spinach in my teeth.  She knew I didn't mean to make my blog public because it only had a title and nothing else. Thank you, Sandi, for saving me from myself.

Aug 29, 2011 05:21 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I would actually tell you if you had spinach in your teeth if we were having lunch. I would not mention that sort of problem with a post. In the early months of AR, I thought that would be a good idea & got slammed bad by an oldie here.  Don't think I don't remember it.

I have had people send me things which is always appreciated BTW. Links gone haywire, etc.

Aug 29, 2011 05:50 AM
DEBORAH STONE
Balboa Real Estate San Diego, CA - San Diego, CA

Congrats on the feature post! It's important to be honest, but there are some people who don't appreciate it. But I'll take the chance!

Aug 29, 2011 06:50 AM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

To anyone listening, please tell me about the spinach!  I do the same by email...never directly in the comment section.  Great topic for conversation.

Aug 29, 2011 07:00 AM
Caryn Baker
Realty Pros & Assoc. - Ormond Beach, FL

It's always a good idea to "do unto others"...

Aug 29, 2011 07:10 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

I appreciate it when someone emails me to let me know of an error in my title. I had one email when I frist started blogging letting me know that the font was a little small to read and would I consider making it bigger. I think email is the best way to do it and not to put anything in the comments. It's helpful to have smoeone catch a mistake that I didn't see and I think it's nice people take time to send an email.

Aug 29, 2011 07:41 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Such a cute title for a value added blog!  I am of the firm belief that if you help someone else it will come back to you.  It's always been my practice to help anyone who asks!  Best of luck to you!

Aug 29, 2011 10:09 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Tell them.  But as any man with his fly down knows - we speak in code and with a little humor,  "The Barn Door is open"  etc. . .  Be honest - be friendly.

Aug 29, 2011 10:42 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Karen- I'm still trying to read all of the great contest entries too!  Aren't they fun to read!

Norma- it is a very thoughtful thing to do.  I mean... why would you want someone walking around or "blogging around" with a big "oops" on their forehead. 

Karen- same here, especially the newbies and the wall of words.  There's a lot to learn here and not just when you're starting out. 

Hi Linda- yep!  and a big shout out to you too!  We could all do with a friend out there. 

Gerard- Same here, but especially about missing links. 

Evelyn- good for Sandi!!! I've done the same and someone was kind enough to email me.

Lyn- we've all been there.  Definitely email or call!  

Deborah- better to take the chance and then if they take offense, well, you tried.

Mona- yes-yes... please email me and let me know!

Caryn- the good old Golden Rule.. it never goes out of style!

Amanda- It is a definite act of kindness.  I've had broken links before and thank goodness someone emailed me to give me a heads up.

Thank you Jan... and yes what goes around comes around!

Gene- Oh... we know the code too , Gene... the old Barn Door!  I've had to say it myself to friends. 

 

Aug 29, 2011 11:33 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Kathy! I just saw this wonderful post. I have been on and off the last few days and I almost missed it. I appreciate the shout out from you...you! You have a fantastic writing skill and I try and catch all your posts.

Do I have spinach in my teeth? I would sure want to know. Delicately though! Friends do for friends and you my dear, are my friend!

Thank you for this.

And, I know you would do the same for me.

Hugs,

Deb

Aug 29, 2011 11:46 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hugs to you Miss Deb!!! And, thank you again for letting me know about my spinach!!!

Aug 29, 2011 12:34 PM
Dale Taylor
Re/Max 10 New Lenox Illinois http://dtaylor.remax.com - Frankfort, IL
Realtor = Chicago Illinois Homes Townhomes Condos

This reminds me of times in the past when I would not tell a male to zip up their pants.  I was reluctant because I was afraid they would question why I notice.  It is so funny how growing older helps us overcome some simple fears of what people may think about us.  I have always checked out the people I encounter from head to toe and noticed every little detail male and female equally.  Today, I won't hesitate help a male correct a zipper issue.  Back then I never thought they would appreciate my helping them to avoid an embarrassment.  I appreciate what you shared Kathy.  Did you ever think this blog would go further than what people write? 

Aug 29, 2011 01:34 PM
Ruby Lee Sweeting
Darville Wong Associates Realty Bahamas
Your Bahamas Agent for Relocations & Second Homes

For better or worse, we should tell them...be it a commendation, a suggestion, advice or inquiry it is almost always accepted appreciatively. I have personally been a happy beneficiary of 'spinach in the teeth' notices from AR community members, with whom I now feel a special bond.

Thanks Kathy. 

Aug 29, 2011 02:14 PM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

I don't always agree with some of the blogs. Seems like you don't have all the story. Is that Spinach?

Aug 29, 2011 02:17 PM
Beverly Femia
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Hampstead, NC
Broker Realtor Stager - Greater Wilmington, NC Are

Title errors, a spelling disaster or links that don't work deserve a discreet email. We can all use help!  Content is none of my business!  I may not agree with you but I'll defend your right to be wrong.  

Aug 29, 2011 03:22 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dale- I've always said one of the benefits of getting older is that you aren't as concerned about what others will think!  I wrote this one on a whim and was surprised at the number of comments. 

Ruby Lee- I agree with you... being told in a gracious way does create a bond and it's a good one!

Bill- Well content is a personal thing so whether or not I agreed with it doesn't matter... that's what we're all about.  However if I noticed a broken link.. or perhaps their video was no longer coming through, I would definitely email or call them!

Beverly- We are in total agreement!  As long as a blogger is not crossing the AR Community Guidelines, their content is theirs.  I may not agree or like it but doesn't matter. 

Aug 30, 2011 04:48 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Kathy,

You have a little something...over to the right a bit...up a little...almost...ah you got it, a positively poignant post! Cheers!

Peace,

Aug 30, 2011 10:18 AM
Karen Bernetti
Southington, CT

I do feel badly telling people, but I do it because I'm so grateful when my friends point out my embarrassing mistakes!  

Aug 30, 2011 02:13 PM
Mike Henderson
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

I always do.  Broken links in AR profiles are what I come across with the most.

Sep 05, 2011 01:47 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Aloha Kimo- funny!!! And thank you for pointing it out!!! Good to see you here!

Karen- For most of us it's hard to do but we really would rather have someone tell us rather than walk around or blog around with a big OOPS hanging out there.

Mike- The old broken link... I've had those and had to go back in to fix them.  Thankfully friends here will tell you if something is amiss. 

Sep 05, 2011 02:12 PM