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Thoughtful Thursdays...Just Because You Can…

By
Home Stager

...Doesn’t Mean You Should

 

Technology has given us tools and platforms that did not exist 15 to 20 years ago. We no longer have to wait for the evening news to learn what occurred in just a thoughtour world.

 

Most anyone with a smartphone can become part of the paparazzi that shoots photos and lets us know what celebrities and others are doing including but not limited to what they are eating, who they are dating, what ice cream they bought and what they look like in everyday clothes.

 

Some cough up the idea that the public has a right to know. Well, no one has asked me.

 

The other day, an actor was photographed working at a job that was not in acting. That person then sent the photo to a paper.

 

Some tried to job-shame him because now he was working as a cashier. Most, however, came to his defense.

First of all, since when is it a shame to work an honest job for pay?

Second, those who shamed him insulted any of the people who are and have worked in similar jobs.

However, what we all need to remember and to respect is a person’s privacy. I’m not an attorney but even though our expectations for privacy go out the door when we are in public, doing what is decent and right, in my book, needs to come first.

 

The person who took the photo said …

“I don’t know why I snuck a picture. I figured everybody does it…..I didn’t even think about it. I just kind of did it on impulse and it was a bad impulse.”

 

Let’s be better than that.

 

Just because we can doesn’t

mean we should.

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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for Houston & Harris Counties
and
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Comments (26)

Donald Urschalitz
Lubeck Realty Group - Jupiter, FL
P.A. Realtor ABR RSPS North Palm Beach County

I could write a book on this but I find myself speechless. Folks just need to calm down and remember technology is no better than the user.

Sep 06, 2018 05:50 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Kathy Streib,

Thank you for your post this morning..well said..and the media picked up on this and ran hog wild..where are the "feel good" stories that many people are doing that matter to others lives..we only hear about the thoughtless acts from those who have lost all common sense when it comes to their phones and social media.

Sep 06, 2018 05:57 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

You have put into words my own thoughts on this topic, Kathy!  And, I like Donald's #7 comment that technology is no better than the user.

Sep 06, 2018 05:59 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

There is definitely too much of that in the world today and shame on those people that criticized someone for working.

Sep 06, 2018 07:51 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Kathy - I am tired of hear people have a right to know.  What is happening to civility?

Sep 06, 2018 09:21 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kathy,

We always ask permission to take a photo of a person, especially a child.  I even ask it of dog owners.  If we inadvertently get a picture of someone, we crop it out and if we cannot we just delete it.  The right to know is not an excuse.  A

Sep 06, 2018 10:56 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

People think they have the right to know just about everything these days...just basic thoughtfulness has been lost on so many.  

We live in a much coarser society than ever before.

As for the celebrity in question,  good for him in working a job and earning an honest day's living.  I find it funny that we somehow have the opinion in this country that any work is demeaning.  Kudos to him for keeping it real. 

Sep 06, 2018 10:59 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

People floor me all the time. They think nothing of videotaping you while you're out in public. Just because you step outside your home doesn't mean you're fair game for anything that crawls on the ground.

Sep 06, 2018 11:42 AM
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Good post Kathy. Total agree. At least he was working. But did you follow the story? An producer saw the post from the photo taker, and offered him a job/role of some sort back on TV.

Sep 06, 2018 11:49 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael Jacobs I feel that it would be. We're forgetting to be humans. 

Wayne Martin I don't think she was using her head. 

Barbara Todaro We have to decide what we'll accept!

Sep 06, 2018 03:29 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kat Palmiotti If we would boycott the media that poke into people's lives it would be a start. 

Nina Hollander I doubt many people set out to harm others...they just don't think. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:33 PM
Susan Haughton

Can I LOVE Kat Palmiotti 's comment 100x? Yes this ^^^^

Sep 06, 2018 03:50 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Thank you Susan Haughton !

Sep 06, 2018 04:39 PM
Kat Palmiotti

I guess but honestly, I pay no attention to celebrities/stars. I don't watch any shows about them, I don't buy any magazines about them. I don't care what they do/don't do. The people who are "stars" to me are those in the military, fire fighters, law enforcement. People who actually do things that matter. So I can't boycott something I don't pay attention to anyway!

Sep 06, 2018 03:39 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sally K. & David L. Hanson I read that as well. The thing is, he's been working all these years. 

Donald Urschalitz well said. That's the thing, technology always is ahead of mankind. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:36 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR totally agree with you. I think that part of why there is so much vitriol around now and hatred around is we keep reading about these negative stories. 

Myrl Jeffcoat everyone is on social media and it's getting carried away. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:40 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Brian England I agree. Why would anyone try to call out someone that they perceived to be having a hard time. 

Grant Schneider I'm sick of it as well. In my opinion there are no more true journalists. Now, everyone with a camera is "reporting" what they see on social media. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:42 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Ron and Alexandra Seigel I applaud you for doing that. I will ask permission as well or blur a face if they're in a shot I really need. 

Susan Haughton you're spot on!!  This celebrity was working in an honest job. Better than others who take what is not theirs. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:45 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents you called it!!!  Years ago we had a wonderful bagpiper who played as the sun was rising. I did ask him for permission even though he was in public on the beach. 

Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR I did see that, and if he's the same person I read about, he's a favorite of mine because of his kindness. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:48 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Kat Palmiotti I see your point. I'll read articles about real people but it's gotten to the point that if I see something about a celebrity, I'll just move on. 

Sep 06, 2018 03:50 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Looking back with 20/20 hindsight I am sure glad there wasn't someone with a cell phone camera to catch much of my mistake filled youth. 

Sep 06, 2018 09:13 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Kathy.

Respect for our personal space has left the building, exit stage right.  There is no privacy, not in this day and age, what a pity

Sep 07, 2018 03:01 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I agree with you - and I admire the man who was photographed. I also admire what he had to say about it when he was interviewed - he's a class act.

Sep 08, 2018 03:44 PM