Mimi At Work

I used to love the Drew Carey Show…and being somewhat un-slender and curiously attracted to both jewellery and makeup, I always pleaded with my nieces to let me know if I was looking too much like Mimi. They always laughed – and even acquainted me with new looks and makeup samples to try.

I still like makeup – sometimes yearning for that fresh-faced complexion of years ago when foundation or mineral powder wasn’t required to cover up imperfections. What an odd thing that my everyday magnifier-mirror doesn’t consistently reflect the same face every day – must be the lighting!

Every age seems to have its own foibles of vanity – too much makeup, not enough makeup, what to do with the hair – omigosh it’s blue streaks. That’s not what the bottle showed! Quick, out with the baby shampoo and keep dabbing and washing.

I think everyone’s face reflects who they are inside – isn’t it true that the first thing a person is drawn to in conversation is not the words, but the eyes?

I’m using less makeup now and Mimi pretty well stays at home.

Tits 'n Teeth

A young man recently joined our real estate brokerage, and seems very polite indeed. One day he commented to a fellow colleague “How can a guy get any work done around here with so many low-cut tops on the ladies?”

Well it sounded hilarious, but got me to thinking.Either he was ultra-sensitive and might become red-faced at any moment or he was just plain uncomfortable.

Now let me say this about tits ‘n teeth. It’s my favourite ice-breaker expression when in a group photo with other gals – always good for a giggle; do we really need even a hint of cleavage in the workplace? My teeth aren’t bad either but I don’t walk around with bared fangs - are the pushedup and smoothly rounded tops undermining women’s professionalism?

"It Sir-tainly isn't up to me!"

Ever notice how familiar we have become in addressing other adults whom we have just met. When I meet clients for the first time I still like to use the Mr. or Mrs. (if I’m sure she’s the missus). As a young girl, meeting my boyfriend’s elderly Aunt and Uncle, I called them Mr. & Mrs. So-and-So. The lady quickly encouraged me to call her “Cookie” – which felt awkward for me. I know she was just trying to ease my nervousness - it did throw me for a loop though. I’m wondering if I’m just plain old-fashioned or if this common practice of addressing someone on a first-name basis right off the bat is just a bit presumptuous?

"Please don't spit in the sink!"

If you share a co-ed bathroom at the office there is a certain etiquette that everyone needs to observe and follow. Don’t clutter the under-sink cabinet with makeup and toiletries overflowing their containers. Please keep feminine hygiene products discreet – this isn’t your personal space. I’m a silver-haired dinosaur, nothing much phases me, but I still feel a little uncomfortable when I see private stuff in public space. Denture cleaner and gum massagers ditto. Men should be thoughtful and put the seat down, everyone wipe the counter off if you splash rinsing your hands, and please….don’t spit globs of toothpaste and leave it in the sink.

Business After Hours

My horoscope in today’s newspaper warned me to choose my words with care today and leave people with a good impression rather than doing or saying something I’d have to work hard to reverse. Performers and actors know that they’re onstage 24 hours a day – can’t even go to the Laundromat without looking their best, etc.. Business people are actually in the public eye more often than we may realize. Networking is important – and we have to do it in good taste and with awareness. I liken it to eating broccoli on a first date – that impression will forever linger and probably will remain first and foremost in the memory. Laughable yes, but in truth, when we are at a social function for business purposes, think of how we look, how we speak, how we laugh (ouch, not too loudly please!) and how will people remember us after the event. Not only is there a zero-tolerance for DUI, we need to keep ourselves respectful of business protocol , good behaviour, and of course, good manners.

The Perkolator

It was Tuesday night and I was waiting in line at KFC for take-out supper.
A pick-up-and-read publication caught my eye – and so did the front page article. Doing the Right Thing. Everyday people are often troubled by the issues of ethics and integrity. Some folks have both, some have neither. And when times are tough it can feel tempting , for some, to compromise one’s values in order to accomplish. Just a day or so later, when I was harping about the virtues of ethics and integrity, someone asked me “didn’t I get tired taking the high road all the time?”. A resounding “No” - what goes around comes around, even if we have to wait awhile. As a Real Estate professional part of the value I bring to my brokerage, clients and colleagues is the unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. Not only is it the law, It’s a feel good thing!

In Retrospect

Last week I was asked by an elderly lady to prepare a full-price back-up Offer on a house we had seen. She had been referred to me by a former client earlier that day.

Turns out that this lady’s Listing agent already had a Buyer Representation Agreement signed, and after her tears I’m still convinced she didn’t realize she had to work exclusively with that brokerage. Long story short, the Listing salesperson and I collaborated, despite the fact that the lady was his Buyer – he offered a 25% referral to me. The offer was signed with him in attendance and I presented. Full price, accepted, hooray – then the first offer firmed up the next day. Boo-hoo.! An unusual circumstance, Lady is back with her Listing Agent and still looking. I was proud that the other Realtor could see the merit of going forward with the Offer on behalf of his client - the house was perfect for her.

I came away feeling the rewards of having acted with integrity; putting the needs of the client first, and believing that what goes around comes around.