Seems to be a lot of hurt feelings on Active Rain lately.  People are criticizing other people, giving unwanted advice, and making snide comments at a fever pitch.  Here's why I think it happens:

Real Estate Agents are competitive by nature.  I can certainly relate.  At times, I'm the worst offender.  You don't want to be second best at anything, right?  You want to have the most featured posts, the most points, and win the most Active Rain Contests out of all of your peers.   But, let's not forget why we started blogging in the first place.  In my opinion, there are two good reasons why I blog:

1) To get business:  Hey, I have bills to pay too.  If I could figure out a cheaper way to outrank the big corporations in google I most certainly would, but blogging is the best thing I've come up with so far.

2) Because it's fun!

*gasp*

Did he just say the "F" word?

You had better believe it, hot pants.  Blogging is fun.  I like meeting new people.  I like casting my opinion about as if it were a football from one blog to another.  I like the fact that I can be completely over-the-top dumb with my posts and still get people to read my blog.   

So, ask yourself the following question:  "Do I take myself too seriously?"  Does it hurt my feelings when people don't agree with every word that I say?  Am I member of the "blogging etiquette" posse that points out grammatical errors and poor commenting form?  Because, seriously, I don't want to hear about it.  I do this because it helps me relieve stress at the end of the day, and not because I want or need your approval.

I just might make a comment or two that adds nothing of value to the topic, simply to say hello to a friend.  Or, I might drop a smilee in response to their post.  Deal with it.  

Furthermore, think of what the consumer might think if they happen upon our correspondence here in this (quite public) venue.  Would your hot-headed remarks be viewed a righteous indignation, or simply as unprofessionally idle chatter.  

For the most party, Rainers are my peeps.  We get along pretty well, don't we?   If you lived in Tampa, we could all go have a mojito together and dance the night away.  So, don't get mad at me.  Just relax.  At the end of the day, nobody on this blog is Ted Copple.  We're all just trying to add something interesting to the great dialog that is life.  Give each other a break.