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Lessons from a Panhandler

I was down in West Palm Beach last week. Nice area, for sure. As I went out for my usual cup of Dunkin Donuts' coffee early in the morning I noticed the panhandlers out early working the major intersections. A bit of irony here - my son, the cop, does not drink coffee or eat donuts. What is this world coming to?

As I neared the Dunkin Donuts I noticed a wheelchair and sign out front. Standing in line in front of me was a gentleman who obviously was a panhandler. It must have been his tools of the trade out front. Regardless of profession, everyone deserves a break.

The guy looked to be physically fine, even joking with the clerk. He must have been a regular. His sign was interesting - "need $$$ for booze, why lie?" OK, there are lessons to be learned from everything we encounter.

What lesson can we as real estate professionals learn from this guy?

He was out early, hitting the pavement, drumming up business.
He was using the right tools to present himself to "his public" appropriately.
He was utilizing "truth in advertising."
He was expanding his network by speaking to strangers he encountered. He was smiling, giving the appearance of being happy at his place in time.
He was taking a break. Constant work does not produce the best results.

The point is we as real estate professionals need to be out doing the right things - not holed up in some office waiting for the phone to ring or the next buyer to walk in!

When looking for a real estate agent, the public wants an agent who is:

Out drumming up business.
Knowledgeable of their "territory."
Utilizing the right tools (Internet,appropriate dress,advertising,etc).
Honest - enough said on that.
Well known, constantly expanding their network.
Pleasant to be around. Clients spend a lot of time with "their agent." If they want to be near you because of that "sour puss" attitude, why would anyone else?
Uses time wisely.

Take a lesson from a panhandler! I was told by a teacher a very long time ago that we can all learn something from someone - even if that lesson is just how to survive in their shoes.

And, yes, I gave him a buck..... without judging him or his motives.

Gary L. Waters, Florida licensed real estate agent, Century 21 Baytree Realty, Rockledge, Florida serving Florida's Space Coast including the cities and communities of Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Suntree, Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach and the surrounding region. Whether your interest lies in a 55+ community such as Heritage Isle, a golf course community such as Baytree National Golf Links or water front, give me a call!

Read my blog Florida Homes for Sale and Moving to Brevard County, Florida.

Posted by Gary Waters -Real estate agent Viera Suntree Melbourne and Rockledge FL on 12/31/2007 11:35 AM

Comments (28)

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Originally posted at: Florida Homes for Sale: Lessons from a Panhandler

28 Comments on Lessons from a Panhandler

DEC

2007

Gary what a great post. I actually laughed out loud when I read "need $$$ for booze, why lie?"...

Talk about truth in advertising. I have to admit that I usually ignore panhandlers but that would have got my attention and a few dollars as well for the laugh. Have a great New Year!

Gary-this is such an awesome post and what an anology! I love the fact when panhandlers are honest...it doesn't matter to me...you got the guts to ask...you get...I call it sales! Happy New Year!

Gary,

Nice analogy.....we all need to be a focal point in our community and be know for being the resource people need.

Working hard everyday....as if we want to be out there....as well as Need to be out there.

Have a great 2008!

Marti - Thanks for the comment. I got a kick out of the honesty as well!

Midori - Thanks. You have to ask for the sale...even if it is a buck, Have a very happy and safe new year!

Dan - Thanks. My goal in 2008 is to be a real estate "panhandler!"

JAN

2008

Gary,

Well, did you give him any money?

I can't stand panhandlers! Sometimes they try to rope you into listening to some BS story, and then ask for money or change.

The last person that asked me for change, I replied "I do have some change and a couple twenty's as well, but your not getting any."

I know that might sound harsh, but oh well. Maybe sooner or later they will realize that they are a nuisance, and just maybe they will clean up their act or seek some sort of help. People don't change or get better when other people enable them. Sometimes you gotta use the tough love approach

JAN

2008

I've never thought of it that way. Thanks for sharing.

Joseph - I gave him a buck but that is just me. Thanks for the read and comment.

Carlos - Thanks for the comment. Not sure why I saw it that way either - at least initially!

Everyone's a salesperson, huh? Great analogy. At least he isn't shy!

Tina - We all have to sell ourselves the best way we know how...Thanks for the comment. Stay warm "up there!"

Great Post..FUnNY...

Darren - Thanks for the comment.

Great points. Gary. I thought you were perhaps going to discuss some previous sales experience.

JAN

2008

Joan - Thanks. Maybe I should be sellling houses by standing on the corner with a sign!

Gary: Well, he was honest and up and hitting the pavement early. What is that old saying? The early bird catches the worm. Great post Gary

Dianne - Thanks...up early, that is the way. And....great to see you back on here!

JAN

2008

Hi Gary...

Many years ago I was on my way to work and saw a pan handler...His sign read "Need Food" ...

So what did I do? I drove through Burger King, ordered up some food and brought it to him.

Amazingly enough when I handed him the bag of food he looked at me and said "I don't want that. How about money"

Can you believe that? Yah. What is the world coming to any way? A coffeeless/donutless Cop? Lord! What next? :)

P.S. Your Son could teach 'our' local law enforcement agency a few things. Most of them are over weight from all the donuts :)

TLW...ROAR!

Gary...As a rule, I don't deal with panhandlers...But, I do admire the ones who are out there early, like you said...Like TLW stated above, I had the same experience and was called a smart a** by the panhandler when I gave him a bag from the drive thru myself...C-ya

JAN

2008

TLW - Yep, they really want the money. When they are hungry they go to Dunkin Donuts! As for my son...a good kid who is looking to get on in the Orlando area one day soon! Thanks for the comment.

Mike - Panhandlers for the most part are just out to manipulate us...but isn't everyone? I really do need to adjust this attitude.

JAN

2008

That's a good post. Hmmm, maybe that's the reason for my success in real estate. I used to be a fabulous panhandler. You think I am making this up, but I'm not. In the 1960s, I used to roam the streets with my hand out asking people if they had spare change. That was my first entrepreneurial business, and I did rather well. It astonished me that people would give me money simply because I asked for it.

Elizabeth - Thanks for the comment. Yep, I believe there is a little something that can be learned from a panhandler...basically, just asking. We have to ask for the business.

JAN

2008

There are lessons to be learned from everything if we look hard enough.

We had a lady in town a couple of years ago that THE panhandler of Fairbanks. Every time you came around a corner, there she was. We gave her a dollar occasionally but one day I was coming out of the grocery store and saw her standing at the Starbucks (inside the grocery store) paying for a $6 Starbucks coffee. That ended my financial support. Oh, and a cop that doesn't drink coffee or donuts? That's just crazy talk. :)

JAN

2008

Jesse & Kathy - These panhandlers, at least some, are doing a job. They put on the "Uniform" and do their stuff. And, the cop....I am so....much a coffee drinker! Thanks for the note.

JAN

2008

Hello Gary

Just catching up on my reading and came across your post. It made me think when I owned my business is South Central Los Angels, I would get quite a few people coming in asking for money. There were a few that were persistant and they did get a contibution at some point. I remember this one guy who was sincere and polite and he actually lived on the streets. He would come by from time to time and ask for money and finally one day I gave him something. The next time he came in there was a broom in the corner and he pick it up a swepted up may parking lot.

One thing about these people they were persistant in asking and at some point they were successful. But this one guy rsponded back with a sort of thank you, that brought him more respect and future blessing and became a little bit of a friend.

Ralph