As mentioned previously, I’m in the final stages (I hope) in selling and buying a house. These transactions have required I interact with my least favorite professionals, realtors and insurance agents. I hope I don’t offend anyone, as I do have many friends as well as family members in these business sectors, yet along with car salesmen and politicians I make every effort not engaging in conversations professionally.
My interactions with realtors are to get pass the “honeymoon” period and enter the part of the transition I refer to as “just the facts Ma’am” (famous Jack Webb line from the television series Dragnet). One realtor I’ve been required to communicate must be a cult member where it is taboo to answer with a simple yes or no, or true or false. You should see the text messages, she must consider the book War and Peace to be a short story.
Both as a call of duty and acknowledging its summer TV reruns season; I did watch the “gloom and doom” themed Republican convention, as well as the Democratic Party “Kumbaya” session. No matter what your party affiliation, reality becomes really twisted especially listening to the armies of panelists sharing post commentary on MSNBC, CNN or Fox.
I noticed on both sides of the aisle that I have now been re-categorized with the “old school” term Latino, Que Paso with my 80’s christening name of Hispanic? Although I am bilingual, I’m not sure how to react when a candidate decides to speak or express a line in Spanish. I understand that salsa has surpassed ketchup in sales, so is that an attempt to spice up a delivery? Back in 2000, I attended a US Hispanic Chamber event in which then Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore stated he was so proud that his grandchild was born on the Fourth of July. Next, what I considered strange he expressed his interest that his next grandchild would be born on Cinco De Mayo – really? Why?
TGFF – Thank God For Fact-checkers
No matter the party affiliation, after listening to speakers at the annual conferences, statements made must drive fact-checkers crazy. Spin, spin, spin leave your audience so dizzy they won’t know which way is up. I almost wish convention would introduce “instant replay” to the process. Each speaker must be subject to no more than three “red flag” moments where a seated non-partial panel or referees would determine (true or false) the validity of statements. After three false validations the speaker would be required to immediately cease his or her presentation and be removed by security, now that would make good TV!
My Recent Experience with the Spin Masters…
Realtors see the world much, much more differently than I do. In fact, I just haven’t met a realtor that believes a house is ugly – and I’m not referring to house flippers (now that’s crazy terminology of our times). They must all belong to a secret society of half-full glasses. Aside from realtors, insurance agents drive me nuts! One thing they do hate is when you do an actual price comparison of coverage with them and they can’t meet a competitor’s pricing. I recently encountered one agent whose last pitch to sway me over was to raise their company flag of being in business for over 50 years – not going to happen. I’m convinced brand loyalty does keep customers. A family member disclosed that for the exact automotive coverage he was paying annually $500 more than I do, my first reaction was to think this dude driving record must be Bad. He stated the last time he had a moving violation was over 10 years ago. He switched, saved substantially, but admitted he felt so guilty canceling his coverage with his agent. I counseled him that he can always buy a calendar at a store.
I did want to give a shoot out to the Jimenez side of my family tree as this year marks the century mark in laying roots in Richmond, California.
