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Acrid Rain

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

I've noticed a recent trend toward agitation. Maybe you've noticed it too?

Some comments are leaning toward caustic, bitter and acerbic.  We all know a few blogs that we avoid because it's always a "yell-fest" in there.  The host is always contentious, and angry.  Every now and then one of those finds their way to the featured blog roll, and you can't avoid getting drawn in, and kicking yourself afterward. (What was I thinking?  What WAS I thinking?)

I've even seen a few taking shots at Bob Stewart and Kerrie Greenhalg.  I know!  That's what I'm saying!  What were they thinking?

But I'm not talking about those, I'm talking about some of the regular girls and gals that you read with regularity.  Some of those have gotten a bit "testy" lately.  And it's not just limited to bloggers.  I've seen it on the highway, in the line at the grocery, talking to vendors on the phone... buyers and sellers.  Testy, testy, testy.

Maybe it's the season?  The Holidays certainly take a toll on us.  All that stress to find the right gifts, scheduling, preparing and attending parties, spending time with family, can take it's toll.

Maybe it's the economy?  I don't need to explain that one, do I?  Some folks holding down second and third jobs.  Others not managing to be able to make the ends of that rope meet.

Maybe it's just the winter settling in?  Much has been made over the last few years about S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) where people are missing the vitamins supplied by exposure to the sun.

Whatever it is, I hope it passes soon.  I'm itching to see my level-headed, friendly, accepting, patient buddies again.

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments(22)

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Alan, I experience and feel what you are referring to. I try to step back and away from things when I am feeling like I could chew nails.  I also try to avoid negativity.  I catch myself and realize ... I don't want to say that. 

Dec 15, 2011 05:04 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

"Oh quit complaining and just shut up!"....is that the kind of comment you mean?? :)  Just kiddin' of course.  I'm trying to do a better job of staying away from the contentious.  I'm tired and ready for a break, and when I'm tired, I'm cranky.  And when I'm cranky, I'm MUCH more likely to tell 'em what I really think, especially if they're giving Bob and Kerrie crap.  Their position doesn't allow them much ability to fight back.  I'm fortunately not so restricted :)   Bill

Dec 15, 2011 05:08 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Gayle - happiness tends to attract happiness.

David - deep cleansing breaths would be a great idea.

Kathleen - the nice thing about a blogging format, is that we can take a moment (or two) before engaging the keyboard.  Sometimes we just need to take a step back, and as David suggests... take a deep breath, before repsonding.

Bill - yeah... cranky seems to play a role in it, and I'm hoping it's just seasonal.

Dec 15, 2011 05:12 AM
Carie Shapiro
North Shore Suburbs & Chicago Real Estate - Evanston, IL

Alan:  I like it much better when people make nice with each other too!  In with the good air/out with the bad air helps me when I step into negative stuff.

Dec 15, 2011 05:23 AM
Judith Sinnard
SMARTePLANS; Houston, Texas - Houston, TX
The SMARTePLAN Lady

There does seem to be some folks always ready-to-rumble and looking for the opportunity ---- and as you've said, you steer a new course away from that direction. I've noticed it tends to be cyclical (here on A/R) and apparently contagious ... its like everybody suddenly thinks they have a hall pass to be snarky.... and then it will die down for awhile ... and them start up again. Kind of odd to observe.  The good news is I've found other groups, ones I never knew existed,  to be a safe haven from the contentiousness du-jour and I'll go hang out there for awhile until balance is restored. 

Dec 15, 2011 05:37 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Carie - I totally agree.

Judith - always nice to go to your "happy place".

Dec 15, 2011 06:01 AM
Lee & Carol Barbour, REALTORS
Murphy and Hayesville, NC; Hiawassee, Blairsville, Blue Ridge GA - Murphy, NC
Mountain Living Team in Murphy NC and North GA

Guess the season can bring out the grinch in some boys and girls.

don't be a grinch

Dec 15, 2011 06:07 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Utter nonsense. Everyone gets along fine here in the AR play pen.

I haven't seen anything snarky lately at all. Maybe it's the company I keep?

Who makes you the ref BTW?  Is that an example?

Dec 15, 2011 06:31 AM
Randi Brammer
Randi Brammer, Acctg. - Hinckley, MN
Accountant & Tax Preparer

I have over the years read many blogs that Bash the heads of AR for one reason or another. I am willing that they do the same thing in their regular life also.  but, it still does not make it right!

Dec 15, 2011 06:33 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Alan, there are two sides to everything---with all the holiday cheer it must necessarily be balanced by lack of cheer :)

Dec 15, 2011 07:52 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I must admit that I had a minor hissy fit in a store last night.  I think it's the time of year.  Lots of things to do and a feeling that you are trying to beat the clock.  It wears nerves down.

Dec 15, 2011 08:56 AM
Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

I haven't been around here for a while so I've missed the snarkiness, however I've noticed I'm crankier than usual right now...mostly because all of my closings lately have been more than difficult.  Makes me a little cranky.  :D

Dec 15, 2011 09:10 AM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Alan, 

Good point.  I avoid folks I know who LIKE, ENJOY and THRIVE on drama.  This includes at ActiveRain, in my family and around the world.  Life is just too short.  Be happy folks - enjoy what you do have and make the best of it.  (Ok, now if you have a serious problem - I get it, BUT a lot of folks are just a pain in the backside without the serious problem to explain it.)

All the best, Michelle

Dec 15, 2011 10:03 AM
Gwynn Carpenter
Gwynn Teal Carpenter-Broker: Home and Hearth Realty (Austin) - Austin, TX
: Broker, Home & Hearth Realty (512)467-6191

Alan:  We certainly don't need "toxic" members on Active Rain....we find enough of those in the general world - NO DRAMA Queens or Kings are wanted on this site!  Let's be nice to each other even when we disagree.

Dec 15, 2011 10:33 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Alan, Alway's Merry and Bright! If what you're talking about is any indication, maybe that's why people are driving so dang crazy around my neighborhood lately. Just recently it's been like Death Race 2000. Death Race 2000 Poster

Dec 15, 2011 11:17 AM
Christine Smith
Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA
Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Alan...I do my best to try to avoid the crankiness.  I spent part of the afternoon with AR's own Nina Rogoff enjoying some Starbucks, some stories & lots of laughs.  Made my spirits bright anyway! :) 

Dec 15, 2011 12:57 PM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Lee & Carol - grinchiness might explain some.

Lyn - Oh, I ain't no ref... I earned this stripes in the big house... they're different.

Randi - I bet they do less bashing in person.  It's easy to do from afar.

Charles - you mean you can't appreciate the cheer without the whining?

Lisa - it's difficult to complain in the same sentence as "all those closings".

Michelle - My cantankerous personality makes it difficult to avoid everyone.

Gwynn - they're not always toxic... sometimes just cranky.

René - Always merry and bright.

Christine - I, too, try... but not always successfully.  Say hello to Nina for me.

Dec 15, 2011 02:13 PM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

What kind of assanine blog post is this Alan? You know it's all Obama's fault.

Dec 16, 2011 04:18 AM
Lisa Hicks
Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME
Serving Central and Southern Maine

Alan...maybe I should have clarified...the closings that are making me cranky have yet to close...extension after extension...:D

Dec 16, 2011 04:32 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Malcolm - and there it is!  ;-)

Lisa - ahh, that's a bit different, isn't it?

Dec 16, 2011 07:56 AM