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Making Assumptions: Pick the Cutest One

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Real Estate Shows

Little GirlWhen my older daughter was little, we had some interesting conversations.  One of my favorites took place when she was about four.   

She said suddenly, "Momma, when I grow up I'm going to do what you did and marry the cutest boy."   

That really surprised me and I had to try not to laugh.  She made it sound like there were guys lined up, and all I had to do was walk along and say, "He's the cutest, I'll take him!"  :oD

But as a Mom, I saw a chance for a teaching moment. 

I answered, "Maybe it would be better to marry the nicest boy, or the smartest boy, don't you think?"  

She took a moment and really mulled it over.  Then she said, "No, I'll take the cutest boy, and if he's not smart, I'll teach him!"  

Yeah, that's my girl!  

The reason I'm telling you this is that we all make assumptions, and often they're wrong.  My daughter assumed that I chose her Daddy because he was cutest.  (He IS cute, but there was much more to why I "picked" him!)   

How many times a day do we make snap judgements about people based on their looks, their car, their job, their age or their neighborhood?  Making these quick decisions about people is actually a helpful kind of "shorthand" that is useful in some situations.  This might cause you to make a quick decision to cross the street and avoid trouble in an unfamiliar part of town.  

But most of the time, our assumptions keep us from getting to know the real person.   

Instead of mentally sorting people as you meet them, take a little time with them.  Relax.  Smile.  Have a little conversation.  You might find out some surprising things and make a new friend.

Comments(34)

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Danny Smith
DISCOVER TEXAS HOMES - Round Rock, TX
Sarah, talk about cute! Your daughter's very cute not only in looks but character as well!
Apr 13, 2007 01:27 AM
Nattalie de la Mothe
Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors - Atlanta, GA
Selling Atlanta Homes like a Boss

Great Post Sarah,

I always try to look at everyone as unique and special, regardless to what they look like, drive, or any other superficial measurements we find ourselves using daily. Sometimes I must admit it's not always easy. But I know how wrong we can be, just judging people from what we can see externally.

Good Job!

 

Nattalie

Apr 13, 2007 01:50 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
Some nice stuff there Sarah.  Some of the most important people in my life, I quite frankly despised when first meeting them because of presumptuous notions I had.  Oh, how I was wrong.
Apr 13, 2007 02:03 AM
Robert Kissig
Real Estate West - Manhattan Beach, CA

Amazing how cute my ex-wife and I were in highschool. And now? But that's another thing. Having 'the smarts' wasn't a factor at the time. We just assumed this to be the case.  Luck was probably the winner all along. If I may say so, it looks like you lucked out.

Apr 13, 2007 02:08 AM
Kristal Kraft
Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO
Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

Good advice Mom!  In our business it is so important not to judge the book by the cover.  The sloppiest dressed buyer could very well be the wealthiest!

kk

Apr 13, 2007 02:52 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
Sarah:  You couldn't be more right.  It is nature to pick what we are attracted to.  When we fail to realize that and follow our instincts, we miss opportunities in life!
Apr 13, 2007 02:55 AM
Kelli Fronabarger
Bend River Realty Inc. - Bend, OR
Realtor - Bend Oregon

Hi Sarah-

Good Post! I remember an occasion years ago while I was selling high-end jewelry. A customer came in, poorly dressed and did not look like he had two nickels to rub together. He was passed down to me by a senior sales rep and I thought this was going to be a waste of time. Turned out that the "pig farmer" literally had pockets full of cash. His purchase was just shy of $18,000.00. Needless to say I had the largest single sale that year. Looks can definitely be deceiving. DON'T judge a book by its cover ! ! Have a good weekend : )

 

Apr 13, 2007 03:15 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Danny - *Sigh*, that was long ago and she's "too old" to be cute anymore.  If I tell her she's cute she gets offended.  If I tell her she's beautiful she doesn't believe me, even though she is.  I can't win!  But yes, she was cute!

Nattalie - Good job for YOU!  That's just what we should all be stiving for.

Jason - Me, too!  ;o)

Robert - I think I did luck out, thanks.  Funny how teenagers don't think too much about "smarts", huh? 

Kristal - I have found that to be true myself!

Renee - We do better fighting that instict, I think, and it seems easier after you've made it a practice.  The trick is to realize you DO need to think twice!

Kelli - Good for you!  You DESERVED that commission, and I'm sure the customer was glad it went to YOU!  Hope you have a good weekend, too!

Apr 13, 2007 04:53 AM
R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham
Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC
Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

A friend of mine was working as a new loan officer at Savings of America when this guy dressed in dirty painters over-alls, a three day beard and tore up boots, came into the bank and asked to speak with a commercial loan officer.  The receptionist paged the LO on duty, not my friend, who looked at the guy from around a post, then proceeded to get himself a cup of coffee.  

My friend asked him if he was going to go out and help the guy and the LO that was on duty said, "nah...you take him".  My buddy went out and it turned out that the guy was there to refinance a $5,000,000 apartment complex that he owned.  It turned out that this guy owned quite a few apartment complexes and he turned out to be a great client for my buddy.  Goes to show you how expensive a cup of coffee can be!

 

R.B. "Bob" Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc. 

Apr 13, 2007 05:06 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Sarah - what a cute way to share this great reminder to all of us.  It is way too easy to judge a book by its cover, and that's the last thing we should be doing in life, and in this business.  The examples given in the comments here are perfect reasons why NOT to do that.....but people are people and they will go on judging too harshly.  And when that happens, may we be right there to help those who've been judged by their 'cover', and passed over by others.

Ann

Apr 13, 2007 06:57 AM
Ruthman Real Estate
Accessibility & The Power to Advise - Fairfield, CT

Sarah,

Fantastic post!

There have been a few blogs that I have read here, and other places, that my first impression was that they were a pompous patooty.  Then, I read some more of their work and made a connection. 

Heaven knows, people may not be getting me, as well.

But, I got to admit, I still think some are pompous, but I am more agreeable to what they are saying now that I took the time to learn more about them.  :)

Great job! Great Blog! 

 

 

 

Apr 13, 2007 08:51 AM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

Great Blog Sarah; I did not have time to read all the comments - I was just taking a quick break from this day.... and your blog did the trick - thanks - I really needed that

Apr 13, 2007 09:32 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Bob - I hope your friend gave the other loan officer a good "Mwhaa-ha-ha" (evil laugh) after that coffee break!!  That's one lesson he won't forget about not judging on looks alone, right?

Ann - I'd be happy to help out clients that had been passed over!  Right there with you!  ;o)

Chris and Rhonda - "Pompus patooty!"  Oh, you made me laugh out loud!!  (Wiping away tiny tears!)  Yeah, I think we all take ourselves a little too seriously sometimes.  Glad you've learned to see past it!

Thesa - You're very welcome.  :o)

Maureen - I haven't yet read Blink (on my list!) but I have read his "The Tipping Point".  I do see the value in being able to judge quickly, this is just a reminder that we're not always right when we do. 

Apr 13, 2007 11:04 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Full of wisdom and great advice.......

WTG Sarah..... nice post...... =-)

Apr 13, 2007 11:12 AM
Christy Powers
Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners - Pooler, GA
Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent
That is sooo cute. I think she's just adorable. Kids are priceless.
Apr 13, 2007 01:24 PM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Alexander - Thank you very much!  I'm glad you liked it.  (Not sure about the "wisdom" part but I'll let you choose your own words, lol!)  ;o)

Fran - I got "tall, dark and handsome" PLUS smart and nice!  Yay, me! 

Luther - EXCELLENT point!  You simply can not judge a book by it's cover, or a person by what you see at first glance. 

Christy - Thanks, she was soooo adorable.  Now that she's a teenager, I really miss that little girl she used to be.  Strange to miss someone who's right here, but it's not the same.

Apr 13, 2007 11:21 PM
Boomer Jack Boardman & Carl McIntyre, the Codgers
Noted Curmudgeons - Saint Paul, MN

Sarah: You mean there’s ANOTHER way to assess people then by how they look? Do you suggest that Madisonactive rain|active codgers, your active fans image Avenue advertising lies? HORRORS!!!!

 

Jay

Apr 14, 2007 12:14 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Hi, Jay!  Oooh!  I LOVE your "Active Codgers Your Active Fans" icon!!!  How COOOL! 

Still waiting for my Active Codgers T-shirt to arrive.  I might need to check on it, your mug was here so fast I thought they were psychic and stuck it in the mail before I ordered it! 

Apr 14, 2007 01:31 AM
Ann Cummings
RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Sarah - to scoop something from George above, and from Hall & Oates, "Sarah Smile......."  The mailman today made me smile, inside and out.  Thank YOU!!!  I feel the same!

Ann Cummings

Apr 14, 2007 08:16 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Hi, Ann!  :oD !!  You're very welcome!!

Apr 14, 2007 08:20 AM