I was going to call this blog, "Did you let them get your goat?" But there's something delightful and descriptive about the word "knobs!" As an aside, did you know that the expression "got your goat" is a term from thoroughbred horse racing. Some very high strung running horses are calmed down by a stall mate -- a goat. The goat keeps the horse grounded. So, if a scoundrel wanted to throw a horse race, they would steal the race horse's goat! The horse would stress so much, it would not run well. But I digress. Sort of.
Let's face it, it is not uncommon in any field of endeavour to run across those bullies or blowhards who raise unpleasantness to an art form. They are usually well known. And, it is delightful to plot all sorts of witty and caustic responses to their blather. And, let's not even delve too far into the tragically flawed and rude drivers on the road and what we plot for them!
In my work as a professional REALTOR, my latest challenge is to be unchanged by ill mannered people. It is deeply satisfying to stay professional and polite to someone who is anything but! Why? Well, you keep control of your own heart and mind and you don't let someone else have the power to ruin your day. (Or get your goat!) Nothing is so deflating to a blowhard than to have their poor behavior ignored and disregarded. Nothing catches someone like that as off guard as someone who is so secure in themselves they can't be rattled into acting badly and dropping to the level of insults or slights.
Very rarely for me (and for this I am thankful....and it helps that I'm selective about taking on clients) a client, under stress, will behave badly toward me. It is tempting I confess to plot a reduced level of follow through service and nix the generous gift giving. However, the one being hurt by that would be me. It is far richer to treat someone who has been rude with the same professional courtesy and follow up I afford all my clients. (This is not to say I'd take them on again; that would be dumb!)
Indeed, it is not a wimpy response, but a very strong and deliberate one to stay in fine character. And, if you're like me, you have trusted friends and colleagues that you can get your rant out with so you do have an outlet for your creative retorts!
You know my best test for success in not letting someone get my goat? Forgetting their name!! Forgetting the details of the transaction and not having one tiny speck of emotion tied up in them.
So...I repeat...be polite to knobs; it will drive them crazy!
Let's face it, it is not uncommon in any field of endeavour to run across those bullies or blowhards who raise unpleasantness to an art form. They are usually well known. And, it is delightful to plot all sorts of witty and caustic responses to their blather. And, let's not even delve too far into the tragically flawed and rude drivers on the road and what we plot for them!
In my work as a professional REALTOR, my latest challenge is to be unchanged by ill mannered people. It is deeply satisfying to stay professional and polite to someone who is anything but! Why? Well, you keep control of your own heart and mind and you don't let someone else have the power to ruin your day. (Or get your goat!) Nothing is so deflating to a blowhard than to have their poor behavior ignored and disregarded. Nothing catches someone like that as off guard as someone who is so secure in themselves they can't be rattled into acting badly and dropping to the level of insults or slights.
Very rarely for me (and for this I am thankful....and it helps that I'm selective about taking on clients) a client, under stress, will behave badly toward me. It is tempting I confess to plot a reduced level of follow through service and nix the generous gift giving. However, the one being hurt by that would be me. It is far richer to treat someone who has been rude with the same professional courtesy and follow up I afford all my clients. (This is not to say I'd take them on again; that would be dumb!)
Indeed, it is not a wimpy response, but a very strong and deliberate one to stay in fine character. And, if you're like me, you have trusted friends and colleagues that you can get your rant out with so you do have an outlet for your creative retorts!
You know my best test for success in not letting someone get my goat? Forgetting their name!! Forgetting the details of the transaction and not having one tiny speck of emotion tied up in them.
So...I repeat...be polite to knobs; it will drive them crazy!
No comments:
Post a Comment