Home > Blogs > Gary Woltal > Gary Woltal's Blog

Appreciating Behavioral Differences

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

April 11, 2011 12:46 PM

Differences If you work in any sort of people business like real estate, hang out in social media like blogging or Facebook, immerse yourself deep into hobbies or church activities or sports you will see ALL TYPES. In the large corporate world or even the military they have mandatory classes on Diversity Training. Besides you not doing something stupid they don't want to get sued or bring bad press to the organization.

But can't we all just GET ALONG??

I think we can for the vast majority of people but it is not about just "cultural" diversity. I think we need to

Appreciate Behavioral Differences

Pick a large number, say a percentage like 90%. Don't you think despite all those weirdos out there you can really "tolerate" the 90% of people's behavior? I mean they are not the ax murderers, child molesters, perverts, Hitlers, Mussolini's, well Uncle Harry we wonder about him, but can't you just work and play and maybe hold off with too much friction on these DIFFERENT people? I didn't say with their behavior some days it would be easy. Maybe they think YOU are the weirdo. But you have not walked in their shoes. You have not had their trials and tribulations to get where they are. I am not saying take boorish, arrogant, rude or abusive behavior. Know your limits of what you can take. But sometimes we all (ME TOO) can bite our tongue a little bit just to better get along with all those DIFFERENT FOLKS than us out there.

Difference we can put a judgment on as bad. But unless they are truly doing EVIL behavior, difference is really nothing more than, well, DIFFERENT. Maybe appreciate someone being a little more wacky than you. Or later on conversely maybe with some self righteousness over a beer, say you're glad you're not like them and laugh it off.

Tolerance with people more than fighting with them is tough to practice but practice makes YOU all the better person in the long run.

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."

Re-Blog

Comments(22)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

Sometimes it's hard. But when I choose to see the bigger picture and win, it makes it that much more worth it.

Apr 11, 2011 01:26 PM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

But can't we all just GET ALONG?? Hmmmmm

Appreciate Behavioral Differences-Hmmmm

Don't you think despite all those weirdos out there you can really "tolerate" the 90% of people's behavior? Hmmmmm

I didn't say with their behavior some days it would be easy.-Smiling

But sometimes we all (ME TOO) can bite our tongue a little bit just to better get along with all those DIFFERENT FOLKS than us out there. Hmmmm OUCH!!!! (ME TOO) Smiling

Difference we can put a judgment on as bad. But unless they are truly doing EVIL behavior, difference is really nothing more than, well, DIFFERENT. (and irritating at times)

Maybe appreciate someone being a little more wacky then you. Or later on conversely maybe with some self righteousness over a beer, say you're glad you're not like them and laugh it off. (Are you buying?) lol

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes." (Couldn't have said it better myself)

Tolerance with people more than fighting with them is tough to practice but practice makes YOU all the better person in the long run. (Double Hmmmmm)

Apr 11, 2011 01:35 PM

Pam Miller

Realty Associates - Conroe, TX

Broker Associate - Water Crest on Lake Conroe

Tolerance is wonderful.....sometimes. God Bless all of the wonderful people who can tolerate everyone all of the time. I have yet to run into one of those people.....but i am hopeful:)

Apr 11, 2011 01:36 PM

Cara Marcelle Mancuso

Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ

Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

aMEN. Different can always be tolerated. Evil - no tolerance. I find I am much more tolerant in my professional life than in my personal life - I should work harder to blur the lines and find tolerance across the board. Great post.

Apr 11, 2011 01:37 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Randy: In the work arena we can be a lot more tolerable of others I am sure of it.

Asheville (janeAnne): Yes we do forget we have things in common even with those we disagree with.

Loreena: Seeing that big picture sounds like a great technique. Maybe lose a battle but win the war.

Sharon: I like that Hmmmmm expression of yours to hold the tongue and not punch the other guy's lights out LOL.

Pam: I wish I too could be as tolerant of so many others. Some are very good at this with just the right touch.

Cara: I think that is a good point how much TOUGHER it is to be tolerant in the personal life.

Apr 11, 2011 01:49 PM

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL

Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Gary, I know that cultural differences play a huge role. Tolerance is not a universal virtue, and while I was absolutely normal in the way I reacted to others, here I had (and somewhat still have) a huge problem.

What is absolutely normal for a Russian, was coming as rude here. Sometimes I think that thhis is behind me, but somethhing comes and really gets me, and here I am, my old me.

Now I tend to think that I have it. I can (or can't control it), but it will never disappear. I can learn the language, the general cultural ways, but in a sense I am never that normal tolerant American. It just shows very rarely, and in "normal" situations it would not ever be an issue, but this is like a time bomb strapped to me forever.

Apr 11, 2011 01:59 PM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

Wouldn't dream of it unless I was given an viable alternative. Smiling

Apr 11, 2011 02:00 PM

Donna J. Stephens

BHHS Ambassador Real Estate - Omaha, NE

CRS

I love the photo!

We are like snow flakes, no two the same.

I love to see the differences! But, then again, isn't it fun when you discover how much you have in common with new people in your life?

Apr 11, 2011 02:03 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Jon: It's tough I am sure Russian to American culture but you see what works and doesn't work and figure it out. Just laugh a lot Jon. We Americans are a funny bunch really. So too are Russians I hear with vodka especially. Hey the two countries have done a lot of work in space after the Cold War ended. They know how to get along.

Sharon: Sweet you taking someone out? Don't let any Cowboy make a punching bag out of you. Or I am sure they will encounter a boomerang. Smile back.

Donna: I like the snowflake uniqueness thought. We all ought to remember that. The common stuff is fun to as well as appreciating differences!!

Apr 11, 2011 02:05 PM

Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN

Retired and loving life

That is TOUGH LOVE Sharon Lee style LOL

Apr 11, 2011 02:07 PM

Steve Loynd

Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH

800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Gary I love the walk a mile in their shoes joke, truth be told we Realtors have to be one of the best professions at acceptance of all types. We are beaten over the head with discrimination law, in all our continuing ed classes.

Apr 11, 2011 02:07 PM

Petra Norris

Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL

Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Gary - Different Folks = different strokes. I do think that living in a different country like the U.S. taught me how to adjust to and accept behavioral differences.

Apr 11, 2011 02:22 PM

Connie Goodrich

Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX

CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Just being a professional, you do not have to let your dislike for the other party show, ever. You will always run across certain personality types that just grate or even challenge you due to their actions or behavior. Learning to work with these individuals is important but learning to draw the line when necessary is critical. Very nice post!

Apr 11, 2011 03:01 PM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

All I need is a long neck...and I can hold my head high! LOL! Very nice post Gary :-)

Apr 11, 2011 03:14 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes." This quote is soooo profound. We all would be better served if we followed this advice.

Apr 11, 2011 03:24 PM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Gary: Patience and empathy, grow with age and experience!

Apr 11, 2011 04:28 PM

Lloyd Binen

Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA

Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

I'd like to quote my wife: "If only everyone was as perfect as us".

Apr 11, 2011 04:49 PM

Vickie Slade

Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO

Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Gary, when taking the time to appreciate someones diversity and attempting to understand their perspective, we allow ourselves to grow.

Apr 11, 2011 05:04 PM

Eileen Hsu

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY

LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

What a good post, although I will need to meditate a lot more before I start appreciating all the behavior differences.

Apr 11, 2011 05:16 PM

Mike Wong

Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX

Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes."

Made my day.

Apr 12, 2011 12:07 PM