Mind your manners, dipstick

Whenever I deal with someone who is without manners, this thought always comes to mind: "Charm school called, your refresher course is overdue." How on earth did we ever equate power in business or excellence in the arts with someone getting away with the behaviour of a rotten toddler? Is is shows like "The Apprentice" modeling the Donald Trump style of business manners? Or the diva's demands for their dressing room that somehow normalizes horrid manners for the "elite" in their fields?

Closer to my field of expertise, I can't believe it when the first words out of any Realtor's mouth upon receiving a written offer on one of their listings aren't, "thank you." I don't care if it is the worst offer ever to hit the Okanagan. It still merits a thank you. Whatever respectfully follows in negotiations is fine, but the missing manners at the get go creates a horrible environment for successful outcomes.

Years ago I wrote an offer on a townhome, just days after it was listed and at almost full price. In error I dated the contract incorrectly by a day. Believe it or not I was sitting at my desk (not in this brokerage!) and whomp, the listing realtor dropped the contract in a heap over top of what I was working on and declared, "This contract is a mess!" I was gobsmacked. Really? A simple date change all that's needed and you're treating the offer like a bag of burning dog dung? How incredibly rude. Thankfully, in the interest of best serving my client, I continued to deal with Mr. Jerkwater.

In case you're wondering when it's appropriate for a professional in ANY field to be rude to a colleague, assistant, client, audience....the answer is a resounding NEVER! It is not cool to be short and sharp with people. It is not lofty to treat someone in an undignified manner. Ever. Ever. Not only that, it's incredibly stupid! Imagine how much further any high maintenance knob would advance their business and their art if by behaving decently they encouraged the cooperation and talents of those around them.

Having enjoyed some wilderness adventures along the way I tend to measure people up by how they would behave in a leaky canoe going through rapids. When there is no audience, no paycheck, no fan fare and loads of life and death stress....what are we made of then? From my observation I'd readily choose many in humble positions before choosing someone with an inflated sense of who they are and what they're worth.

We're all people. We all put our pants on one leg at a time. Everyone deserves the dignity of your respect. OK, well...almost everyone. How many criminals and sociopaths are there that you run across!?

As far as the world of Realtors go, the prima donnas are going the way of the dodo bird. The arrogant tyrants will not last. The up and coming ethical, professional, cooperative and thankful Realtors are taking over the world! Well...starting the takeover! Phew.