Happy New Year! I thought I'd start this New Year out by writing a blog about something that seems to be running rampant in the real estate industry and what has become the cesspool of unprofessional, egotistical men who basically talk down, degrade and treat strong, aggressive, confident women Realtors® inferiorly. For example, here is an email I received just recently from a Broker of Record of all people. I had written to him to simply ask for his help with one of his agents after I had submitted an offer for one of my buyers.
"I spoke to XXXX . Your offer was presented . It was rejected . XXXX told you what the seller was willing to take on this property . ( that is a counter offer )
On a side note , did you ever hear the saying that you catch more bees with honey than vinegar. I would suggest for your customer's sake you try honey . I would suggest you change your attitude and your dealings with me and my agents or get one of your associates to represent your clients when it comes to my office .Your approach doesn't help you or your clients ."
Do you think this Broker would have written this type of e-mail to Donald Trump or Warren Buffet? Do you think any "man" would have ever said to Donald Trump or Warren Buffet that they should use honey to "catch more bees?"Do you think he would have demanded either of these two confident, powerful, aggressive men to"change their attitude?" Of course not. It's just a way for this particular man to treat a woman with as little respect as he can and to make him feel more powerful! It's disgusting and pathetic is what it is. I have news for this Broker, my clients hire me for those very characteristics that you would like for me to change. When buying or selling a home, a client needs someone on their side who is confident, strong and who is an expert negotiator be it man or woman! They do not want someone who is meek, timid or is afraid of their own shadow or someone who bows down to someone just because "he" tells her to. Go crawl back under the rock you live under Mr. Caveman!
Don't misunderstand this blog though. I am an extremely confident and strong professional woman and when these type of men treat me this way, I put them in their place, stay focused and complete the task in front of me. I don't allow this type of ignorance hinder me. The purpose of this blog is to create awareness to what is still going on in the world of business today.
How about just doing your job no matter what gender you are dealing with and do your job to the best of your ability. Dot your i's and cross your t's. Keep your personal feelings to yourself and focus on your client. If a man is intimidated by a woman Realtor® he is dealing with than perhaps he should get out of the business altogether because women are here to stay and we are smart, professional, strong, determined, and we are Realtors®, lawyers, doctors, surgeons, astronauts, astrophysicists etc and we have our own minds, opinions and can speak for ourselves and match wits with the best of them. And one more thing for those men who just love to put professional women down or call them names like bit*hes. One day you will have daughters if you do not already and one day that daughter will grow up and hopefully become a strong, professional, determined, aggressive woman who will have her own values and opinions and I am quite certain that you would not at all like if some man just like you spoke to your daughter the way that you speak with me and other professional women just like me. So, get your act together and learn some manners, give the same respect that you give to your buddies and want for yourselves, to all women no matter what their stature. This is after all 2012.
I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. If you would like to share your experiences, please do so.
Renee Porsia is a REALTOR® Associate Broker with RE/MAX Eastern and published author. If you would like to read more articles by Renee Porsia, or are interested in selling or buying a home in the Philadelphia, Bucks or Montgomery County areas, or contact her directly at 215-669-0589 or in the office at 215-953-8800 (ask for Renee). You can also follow Renee on Twitter @reneeporsia
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