Special offer

Ask an Ambassador: but what if I disagree with a public pointed post?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

This post is a "rerun", but in light of something I read and being reminded of this lesson I decided it was a good post for today.

 

I'll start by saying that I don't expect people to always agree with me.  I'm not silly enough to think my way is the best way for everyone, even when I know it's the best way for me. My opinion is just that, my opinion.  I am professional enough to know on ActiveRain when I should keep my opinion to myself. Sometimes I find it's okay to politely and respectfully disagree on a comment. And on members only posts or when someone is inviting opinions I'm happy to share my disagreement.

BUT

When I come across a post that is public pointing and I don't share the viewpoint of the author I just move on. Some days I read as many posts and don't comment on them than I read and do comment on. It's just rude to be disagreeable on a public pointed post. If you really disagree with their opinion write your own post about how you view the matter. But it's my belief that it's totally wrong to challenge the author on a post written for consumers.

I've been fortunate that my time here in the rain I've had only a handful of these comments. I was dumb enough back in the early days to engage in those types of opinion challenges and it caused a few dust ups here and there. I was even involved in the occasional pile on. Blogging maturity, lessons learned, people forgiven I now have a different approach when someone comes by my post and leaves a big pile of you know what.  I just click and delete it.  Now that doesn't happen very often. I'd say that in my 8 years here I've not deleted more than a dozen or so comments.

I wanted to suggest that you might not get into a difference of opinion battle on the thread of post here in the rain. It doesn't make anyone look good. Recently I saw one of these and the respect formerly held for a member really took a nose dive. No longer would that member be someone I would suggest or refer to. If they don't have respect for other members it's likely their own self importance and preservation would come first over a clients' need as well. 

Just mind your manners.  If someone happens not to do the same on your post before you engage them in the thread defending your opinion stop and consider what the consumer will think of you for being in that back and forth tit for tat. When you consider that you might just want to use the delete button and let your post and your opinion stand on its own. After all, it's YOUR blog.

Posted by

706-485-9668  us on facebook

Tammy@Lake-Sinclair.com

(Click on Lane Realty Logo for web site)

Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner

 

Broker License # 169695  Lane Realty License # H-11420

Real Estate Instructor License # 355089

Call me today for all your Lake Sinclair real estate needs.

 Search for homes on Lake Sinclair now

For readers who are not members of ActiveRain feel free to also add your comments or you can click on the EMAIL me link to the right of this blog and email me.  Thanks for reading.

All content belongs to me unless otherwise stated.  Do not use without permission.  Logos and photographs may also be copyright registered. Please do not use without my express written permission.

                                                                                                                  

          

Kartik Subramaniam
Adhi Schools, LLC - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Market Analysis--Educational Content, Adhi Schools

Unless there is lying, falsehood, misrepresentation, or just significantly wrong information, there is no duty or reason to reply negatively. Just because you can, does not mean you should. 

Aug 19, 2016 08:31 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Tammy,

Oh it is worth repeating, and I agree with you there are some Negative Nellies who insist on showing the world at large who they are.  In a way, they are doing us a service in that we know who they are, and like you said we are forewarned!

Have a gerat weekend.  A

Aug 19, 2016 09:47 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Top of the evening.  I have to agree here, and not out of fear of being deleted...lol.  Why waste the energy and put your name at risk over something that really will not change in either persons mind.  I move on quite quickly.  Mark

Aug 19, 2016 01:49 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I agree Tammy, and often spend a bit of time thinking of something complimentary to say.

Aug 19, 2016 02:56 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I love the post. I hope it will be featured. I was looking for the suggest button.

Aug 19, 2016 10:00 PM
JM Padron, CCIM, CCP
THE JMTEAM NETWORK - Destin, FL
CCIM, CCP, International Commercial Broker

Tammy, I like your post. The problem with this goes back to the ego of the individual, we have to be humble and let it go, we are not going to look bad for one or two adverse comments, this is called difference of opinions !

Aug 19, 2016 10:57 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Tammy. I couldn't agree with you more. Never a need to be superior or rude.

Aug 19, 2016 11:05 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Your post is spot on...many times folks mis use this forum dont they?

Aug 20, 2016 12:40 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Tammy, I just recently had the rare experience you described. I wanted to comment on a post in which I disagreed with the analogy given and after thinking about my response, I thought it best to not respond at all as it seemed unnecessarily harsh despite it's accuracy. We must pick our battles and sometimes our input in other peoples biz-ness is really none of our business.

Aug 20, 2016 01:45 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sharon Tara And I understand the thought process of those saying "no leave it, let others see what they are like", but in the end if a comment is potentially harmful to a vendor or client or listing no way will I be letting it stay

Dick Greenberg and most folks here thankfully understand that community standard

Cody Carmen even in those cases I believe a private message or reporting a post to staff to handle is the appropriate course of action.

Aug 20, 2016 04:37 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Ron and Alexandra Seigel if a comment would any way harm a business, client, friend or listing letting others "see what they are like" isn't worth the risk of leaving it. 

Bob Crane there have been times where I just really disagree and just move on. Perhaps write my own post on the same topic explaining my point of view on the matter.  

Gita Bantwal that's a kind compliment, thank you.

Aug 20, 2016 04:40 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

JM Padron, CCIM this would could use a lot more humble.

Sheila Anderson and if someone has a different opinion, there is always an option of writing their own post

Kristin Johnston, Waukesha County Realtor 414-254-6647 I'm actually thankful that I don't think it's "many" but a few when you think about the number of posts here daily and the negative. However I will say it seems to be the same people over and over sometimes

Kimo Stowell and that's the perfect opportunity for you to write a post on the subject matter and share your thoughts and opinions without stepping on the toes of the author. That has been my response from time to time.  

 

Aug 20, 2016 04:44 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Tammy

I think most here understand the community standards, even when they might disagree with the writer. And not being face to face makes it easier to put opinions or disgreements out there in ways that might be offensive, and don't necessarily contribute in a positive way.

There often are ways to present a dissenting opinion in a diplomatic way - funny how it's not always what you say but how you say it! Some opinions, however, may be better not shared at all.

Jeff

Aug 20, 2016 05:15 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Jeff Dowler Yes, sometimes I see people disagree with tact and class. But for someone to even do that say on a listing... there is just no need for that. It ultimately harms the client of the author and that's just not the right thing no matter what an agent's opinion of the house is.

Aug 20, 2016 06:00 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

I agree with that. I don't see the point

Aug 20, 2016 06:05 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Thanks for the reminder Tammy Lankford,  like you I just move on rather than get into 'brew-ha' mess

As my mother taught us, 'If you can't say something nice, don't say it.'

Aug 21, 2016 05:51 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Tammy, Excellent post and I agree with what you are saying. Don't engage in a public agruement with another memebr. That serves abosultely no purpose and is harmful to the individuals involved as well as the AR Community. 

Aug 21, 2016 08:38 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Great post Tammy Lankford,  and one that can not be written often enough (unfortunately).  Freedom of speech is one thing, freedom to not be rude seems to be another.  I just don't understand why it is so difficult for some to mind their manners.

Aug 22, 2016 05:22 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, YES!  I completely agree - do you REALLY want the public to see your 'evil' side?!!  Who DOES that?  I just don't understand it!  I rarely ever have a 'bad' day but, typically, I do so in PRIVATE!!  Happy Wednesday!

Aug 24, 2016 05:22 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I disagree many times and if I can state it in a nice way I will and if not I cannot I move on without commenting.

Aug 24, 2016 12:02 PM
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

isn't that one of those things Mom taught me?

the rules didn't change when I became an adult; say something nice or else move along.

Sep 12, 2016 02:53 PM