Fish Tales

I just returned from the local seafood market with some fine selections of fresh fish. The local fish market in our town is on Manasota Key adjacent to Englewood Beach. It has all the wonderful smells and sites that you would expect to encounter at the island fish market on a hot and humid evening. It is also, very often, a place where you can find local real estate being discussed and hence, you will almost always run into another Realtor.

Realtor's come in all shapes and sizes; personalities and attitudes and those "specialties" are what most of them are known for...if you know what I mean.  On this hot and humid beachy evening, I ran into two fellow Realtors. The first would be... and is... called an "Old Codger" by some. The other might be referred to as a "young Whipper-Snapper". These two couldn't be farther apart in shape, size, personality or attitude.  Many traits in each to appreciate, for sure.

The Old Codger Realtor said hello in a gruff voice and made a colorful remark about the humidity and then ordered the fish of the day. He said "Howz bizness, little lady?" and we exchanged some details on our recent successes. He said he wasn't carrying many listings, but his sales were strong and he wasn't complaining. As he turned to leave, he politely handed me his card and asked if I would stay in touch with him. He then gave a slight tip of his hat and headed out into the gulf breeze.

As I turned back to the counter, the Whipper-Snapper Realtor said ...."Yeah, right...like who would buy from that dude? He probably doesn't even own a computer...probably still totes around big MLS books!"  I just smiled politely at his ignorance.

He then went on to say that he had 32 listings. "Are you happy with your sales activity?", I asked.  He snorted....yes snorted!, "What sales! They are all over-priced! These sellers are crazy!" He picked up his order, tossed a small stack of his cards at me and at the fish-tender and said, "If you have any buyers, send them my way, will ya?"  and he pushed through the door like a quarterback.

As I ordered my fish, I shook my head, smiled again at his ignorance and wondered how long it would be before Whipper-Snapper was freed up for another career.