Richie Alan Naggar not just real estate - all retail needs a kick in the ass.

I've stood in many stores in front of many registers without eye contact or a greeting. Now, some stores they do the opposite - they great you like a Japanese restaurant "Irasshaimase!" and shout out "welcome in!". 

I had to ask:  are you the agent ? when they appeared in shorts and flip flops!😮

Richie- it would be nice if this were taught when we are young so it becomes a natural thing to do. R

LOL I have always said that charm school should be taught from kids on up!
I am always told I greet folks as if we are already friends. YEAH DUH, that's called disarming, LOL. But many have an insecure inner core. There are many tells. 

A nice smile (not an ear to ear grin) and an extended hand have always been the key for me Richie Alan Naggar . I like being quick to extend my hand, or be first to say hello. This has always served me well.

These skills are not taught anymore. I remember being taught how to greet by the school system. That and posture. We've become a more informal country.

It is E V E R Y W H  E R E !!!!

People are focused on pronouns and how they identify these days. 

I amazed at the number of real estate agents who say, "I'm not good with names..."  They might as well say, "I don't care enough about you to take the time to learn your name."

Yes, human interaction seems to be a scarce thing these days in many industries.

First impressions are so important, you need to know how to greet a new client!

It's just not in real estate. People don't seem to have manners or social 'graces' any longer. 

A test? No. But it wouldn't hurt to have a class on customer service which is a requirement prior to getting a license. How to make your lead/client feel important. How to talk with them. How to make them your focus and not visa versa. Some people just don't have the skills but many can be taught.

Oh man Richie I had an 'interesting' experience stopping by Chipotle today for a quick salad bowl.  Every single line person did not smile and barely spoke a word or looked at me nor the others in line. The only one somewhat present was the check out guy.  But I had to coax him into smiling and thanking him before he did.  Whoever is the manager is doing a lousy job of teaching these grumpy workers.  They seriously looked like sulking teenagers! Not going back there!

Thankfully agents are smarter than this!

Many parents are not teaching manners, morals & standards or respect for others in the home and if not, they raise rude, condescending, know-it-all, self-entitled, pompous people. And then, unfortunately, they are turned out to mingle among with those that were taught them.

Sincerity goes a long way and some people truly struggle with remembering names. I am guilty of that and will ask for forgiveness until it is imbedded in my memory, especially if it is the first meet! A subtle approach is also necessary for those who come across as abrasive.

Yes - and saying please and thank you are important tools as well. Our younger generation has not been taught the social graces - probably due to lack of family dinners as a regular occurrence. It was at dinner that I learned a lot about how to behave.

Not sure what meet and greet means in the post-Covid reality.
Even in church, the embrace has fallen victim to infection paranoia.
So, what I have been doing, when folks enter the open house is ask cheerfully, "Did you hear about this open house through TV ads, newspaper, social media or the signs?" 
"What??? You had TV ads?" and we are off to the races.
All other encounters begin with "Are you Red or Blue?"  Yeah, that will open ZERO doors.
Alternatively having the 'adopt a pet' or some equivalent around to create those easy conversation openers. Back to school and those back packs are appropriate for this time of year.
In today's environment of agenda/cause promotion the traditional 'social skills' have eagerly been replaced by 'in your face' aggression and our leadership is OK with that.
Maybe 'social skills' have fallen like its predecessor, CHIVALTY.
But I'm still going to be me and when I'm meeting and greeting there will be a skilled wingman to set the environment appropriately.

Eye contact, a firm handshake, a pleasant smile, a "hi", a "thank you or you're welcome".... Oh SO MUCH of good human contact (& basic manners!) is missing from our world. 

I am in possession of THE key and YES, I do meet & greet! Those who look down their noses and aren't into meeting & greeting are NEVER successful - especially in a business like ours.

They may tell you they're successful but...we all know they are NOT!! LOL

My wife always says "pick your battles", with so many other bigger issues something like this is best to just ignore.

I don't believe it's something that can be taught effectively in a real estate classroom.

No chance for a second opportunity to make a first impression!

I imagine some people just aren't fortunate enough to have supportive people in their lives who teach them these skills. My parents guided us in this and it was part of the curriculum I took in one of my high school classes. Where I really learned how to greet people was on the job in an ice cream shop and a fast food restaurant as a teen. Employers who employ our youth have a big responsibility to teach them these things. 

Another way people can learn is to observe others around them. 

Hi, Richie 

  Yesterday my wife and I ate lunch at the Biltmore Park Hilton, in Asheville North Carolina.  The service was exemplary.  The maitre'd sat us immediately, called us "Sir" and "Ma'am". 

    The server was also courteous, prompt, drinks never went empty, dirty dishes removed instantly.  Then the manager came by, asked "How is everything?  We are so glad you are dining with us today.  If you need anything, just ask your server or the dining room manager."

   IT WAS GREAT TO SEE PROFESSIONAL, COURTEOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE!

I don't want to lose the teaching of Riparian Rights or Metes & Bounds.