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ASK AN AMBASSADOR: Pig Wrestling In The Rain

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Accept the invitation or push the keyboard away?ASK AN AMBASSADOR:  Pig Wrestling In The Rain

"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig.  You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it".  George Bernard Shaw

I've been in a few pig wrestles in the Rain.  Sometimes I KNEW it going in, other times I didn't yet know the character of the blogger so I made the mistake of thinking rational thought might be welcome.  Ooops.  Lesson learned.

What I've found is sometimes facts are not going to get in the way of opinions.  E.g., have you YET to see a political discussion on Facebook where one party suddenly goes "You're RIGHT, I've been thinking about this ALL wrong and should switch sides!"??  I'm thinking Hades will freeze over first.

And there are certain hot button real estate issues that have the same divisive ability.  For instance, dual agency.  I totally get some people think it's a Satanic practice.  I don't share that viewpoint, but I also recognize for the most part that OPINIONS won't be changed.  Engaging in a long extended pig wrestle on the topic isn't likely to change anyone's opinion and we'll just both wind up covered in mud and doing nothing productive for hours and hours.  And frankly, I don't have time for that.

What my personal challenge remains is to recognize the pig wrestling invitations early on and not get pulled in.  If I see something that is dead wrong (in my opinion!), I may still make a comment to that effect.  But once it's apparent that the blogger or commenter isn't interested in anything besides repeating their own viewpoint? Or they demonstrate an inability to discuss civilly?  What further is to be gained?   Not much except a dry cleaning bill.

Questions?  Just Ask An Ambassador!

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

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Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
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Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
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Comments(33)

Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

BLiz: Once bitten twice shy has worked well for me since getting stung a few years ago by a Rainer I highly respected. Now I do my best to stay clear of hotbed issues (when possible) and I definitely avoid Rainers who like to stir the pot. I have enough drama with day-to-day biz...I certainly do not need more here. ;-)

Nov 25, 2014 04:47 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Wow, you two,

This is an excellent post, and like you, I feel that some people want to vent their point of view and are not interested in opposing or contrary views. It is so not worth one's time or energy.  On the political or religious front, I avoid like the plague, I just don't understand why one would do so publicly particularly when we want to sell to all religions, all political views, etc.  Why limit ourselves?  A

Nov 25, 2014 05:44 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Anita, After a bit we learned that a) just because someone has a lot of points, they don't always play nice b) some people are best left entirely to their own sandbox as other opinions aren't welcome.

Alexandra, There are some aspects of this business that tend to promote being VERY biased in one direction or the other, but fact is real estate varies tremendously.  IMO as long as you're operating ethically and per your state laws, who am I to say differently.  And as far as religion, I don't have much issue with anyone expressing their beliefs.  Politics?  In our local market probably about 80% red, so as long as you're a Republican you'd probably not risk much business by expressing it.  And if not, probably best to keep it quiet :)  Bill

Nov 25, 2014 06:15 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Great post and I totally agree with you on this topic  Worse is the person egging on the argument usually tosses in a side of arrogance, too. 

Nov 25, 2014 07:49 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Susan, It's that side of arrogance that chafes me the worst and may lead to me failing to follow my own advice. 

Nov 25, 2014 10:52 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Bliz~ I don't get involved in those pig wrestling matches unless I'm sucked in blissfully unaware!

Nov 25, 2014 03:18 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Donna, And those accidental ones quickly tell us what we need to know about how the writer or commenter operates, and I'll have to admit I've got a long memory for poor behavior. 

Nov 25, 2014 08:15 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

The pig wrestles have become too common on ActiveRain. Those public comments can become real turn offs for other members as well as prospective clients. 

 

Nov 25, 2014 10:25 PM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Liz and Bill Spear as a spectator sport pig wrestling can be fun to watch, but I will not participate.

Nov 26, 2014 03:00 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Roy, I think once the bulk of the community learns the character of some, they steer clear, perhaps permanently.

Wayne, I've got to admit I've participated in a handful, usually pulled in when one of my AR friends needs some support.  I don't take kindly to folks being mean to my friends. 

Nov 26, 2014 03:52 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Bliz, I know I don't have the time or even the desire for any of those Drama Queens that I have seen in our community. Avoiding them like the plague is a good choice for me.

Happy Thanksgiving you Two!

Nov 26, 2014 05:57 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Jerry, It saves a lot of hours doesn't it?  Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Nov 26, 2014 05:58 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Well I  messed up at first and got hooked but I no longer seek confrontation in a comment section. Life is to short and I value the cost of my blood pressure meds 

Nov 26, 2014 06:00 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Paul, No doubt some blog posts (and comments) give us a high blood pressure system test!

Nov 26, 2014 06:03 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

BLiz- ask Roger, I'm Switzerland.  Personally I don't have the time, inclination or desire to butt heads with a brick wall and that's what it's like with someone who is more proud of their opinion than the facts. I try to just drive on by some bloggers with a history of ego maniacal discourse. 

Nov 26, 2014 06:50 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Kathy, For the most part I do try to avoid it because it's a negative energy expense in a day I don't have much time for it, but under the "right" circumstances I MIGHT engage.  Most often I avoid the people I consider the likely causes of trouble.  Too many other blog posts to read.  And if they come to my blog and act like a jerk, well I'll probably just leave it there for everyone to see :) 

Nov 26, 2014 07:13 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Hi BLIZ, I haven't seen too much of this lately. But a few years ago...WOW there were a lot of this going on in the community.  Like most members here I stay clear of pig wrestling...who has the time!!

Nov 26, 2014 08:11 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

A few years back someone really didn't like what I had to say in my post. Like you said, he voiced his opinion and kept coming back to engage me. He wasn't budging and neither was I. I finally told him we should agree to disagree but he didn't like that either. I had to just ignore his comments to make him go away.

Nov 26, 2014 12:41 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Bill.  You are a very smart man.  Happy Thanksgiving to you, Liz and your family.

Nov 26, 2014 08:17 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Rebecca, I think many realized it just wasn't worth the time and energy, so now we steer clear.

Tammie, It can get to the point of ignoring or using the DELETE key.  Fortunately it's a rarity.

Conrad, I have my moments :)  Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

Nov 26, 2014 10:01 PM