From the “Huh?” Files: “Going Pink is Stupid”

by Jay Thompson on October 7, 2008 · Comments

in Life

I occasionally get email from “JB”, whose email address leads one to believe she/he feels “Zillow Sucks”. JB is usually a bit “out there” — often ranting and rambling, usually about how stupid he/she feels Realtors are. Zillow sucking, Realtors are evil, all that I can take as everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

But today’s rant by JB leaves me a bit baffled.

Last week I added pink borders and a pink ribbon to the header graphic. I explained why in the post Phoenix Real Estate Guy Goes Pink. This action and post seems to have been well received by normal people, even inspiring some to do something similar. Seems like increasing awareness of breast cancer is a good thing.

Here’s what JB had to say:

Going pink

“Going pink is stupid and playing on emotions?” WTF?

Not that JBs email really deserves a response, but here you go…

Dear JB –

There is nothing stupid about breast cancer, or trying to increase awareness of it. I don’t “play on emotions” or “join whatever cause” to increase business. I hate cancer, I’ve lost too many friends and family to it to cop some flippant attitude about it or to exploit it in the name of securing business. Ever watched cancer suck the life out of someone? I have and it’s not a pleasant sight. Cancer sucks. Period.

Of course I don’t expect putting a pink border or ribbon on my blog to get clients. You see JB, contrary to what you seem to feel about Realtors in general, our every waking moment isn’t spent in the pursuit of business. It’s not just about getting clients. Maybe, just maybe one person will read this or see the pink ribbon and think, “I really need to do a self-exam or go get a mammogram”. And that makes it all worth it. If no one does, oh well, it certainly doesn’t hurt to spread the word.

Here’s a suggestion for you JB — remove this blog from your feed reader and/or bookmarks. Just forget it exists and move along. I grow weary of your ridiculous emails.

There, I feel better now.

 


 

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  • Good for you. I always mean to "Go Pink" but I always end up forgetting to do follow through.
  • Wow. I don't think I've ever seen such backlash at something that seems so innocent, positive, and well-intentioned.

    I actually just saw a local news story that a gas company painted one of their trucks pink. I hope JB doesn't live around here, or she might decide to egg it. ;)

    <abbr>Andrews last blog post..Virginia Will - Creating a Valid Will In Virginia</abbr>
  • Jay, thank you. My mom died of cancer (liver). It does indeed suck. She also had breast cancer, though she was considered a breast cancer survivor. JB you can work harder at trying to get a life.

    <abbr>Steve Belts last blog post..APS allows landlords to have landlord agreement on file</abbr>
  • "JB — remove this blog from your feed reader and/or bookmarks. Just forget it exists and move along."

    Duh?! Please, move along JB. If the site fills you with such disdain, why do you continue to come back. Baffles me.

    <abbr>Linseys last blog post..Predictions for Market Recovery in the OC</abbr>
  • Kudos to you Jay. For going pink and for going ballistic on JB. Someone who goes out of their way to send you scathing emails, insult your business and call you names... that someone needs to get a life.

    <abbr>Heathers last blog post..Month End Stats, September</abbr>
  • Good for you Jay! Glad you "feel better now".

    It seems unreal to me that you would be getting that type of email from ANYONE.

    BTW, I "went Pink" on Twitter in support of BC Awarness: http://twitter.com/MattPellerin
  • Let me add my thanks as well, Jay. My wife's mother lived with us for the last couple years of her life until she passed away from lung cancer in April 2007. Watching her waste away from this horrible disease was something I wouldn't wish on anyone...except, perhaps JB. Maybe that's what he needs to slap some sense into his thick head. Again, thank you for helping to spread the word.

    <abbr>The Harriman Teams last blog post..Mortgage Rate Update 10/3/08</abbr>
  • Expecting a different outcome with the same old behavior sounds a bit insane to me...JB.
  • I'm absolutely amazed that JB would even both to respond if she felt the pink was offensive. Why not just move along? How rude. I like the Pink! It reminded me that I'm overdue for my mammogram and need to make an appt tomorrow.

    Thank you, Jay!
  • Seems like a lot of talk without much point! If the content is good, who cares about the color? Notwithstanding, if you have a blog, you can make it pink if you want to.
  • I don't know, I added a pink border to my site for this month and I haven't been able to drum up any curiously strange emails as the one JB sent you. I don't understand his message, but that's kind of what I like about it -- it's crazy.

    Thanks for supporting the cause.

    Cheers,
    --Justin
  • I guess thats just part of the sales or service industry meeting people that you have no idea how in the world they function and can make it day to day. This is one of the dumbest emails, or even ideas one could possibly think up "He just did that to play up a way to get more sales".
  • That is pretty hostile for just trying to support a cause that you believe in. I personally do not shop for a real estate agent just becuase he or she backs a certain cause. It is a financial decision that is based on the accomplishments of the agent and how effective they would be at buying or selling a home. Not pink borders and support of a cause. That is just a sign that you have good character and care about those around you.

    <abbr>background checks blogs last blog post..Criminal Background Checks for Those Around Our Children</abbr>
  • So Jay, Did JB respond to your email?

    Generally I think the best response to negative attacks like that one is to ignore them. I think they want to upset you and when they find out they have, it makes their day.

    <abbr>Dan Connolly - Atlanta Real Estate Guides last blog post..Candler Park Fall Fest 2008</abbr>
  • Some people just have to try and get under your skin, I think the best thing you can do is humor them and tell them how great you think they are, this will tee them off more than responding in anger.

    <abbr>Dans last blog post..D.R. Horton Homes Tampa</abbr>
  • Thanks for the comments and support folks. For those that aren't agents, welcome to Realtor Bashing 101 -- some people seem to make a sport of it. I typically ignore it, but sometimes I can't help myself.

    For the record, JB did respond to my email. It said, in its entirety:

    "what ever"
  • Well, I like her. Anyone who has that email address can't be all bad. Maybe they have one, like NARsucks@yahoo.com - but, I think that one is already taken by our RPAC. ;-)
  • I like the new colour... but then again I like pink and I devote a major portion of my efforts and charitable donations to the fight against breast cancer. It's horrible and it seems to be everywhere... I like your e-mail response. It is too bad it was wasted on this individual... it's also too bad JB has my initials. But I have a different email address. Phew! For what it's worth, I like your blog and it's on my RSS feeds. Keep up the good work!!

    <abbr>julies last blog post..Forget the market - Focus on the Deal!</abbr>
  • Good for you, I've gotten several "realtor hate" comments on my site as well. I don't have the nerve to do what you did, power to you. Other readers of your blog would never think that you were trying to get business by "Going Pink". Thank you for bringing awareness to the cause.

    <abbr>Riley Smith | Coconut Grove Real Estates last blog post..Recent Closed Sales in Coconut Grove</abbr>
  • JB sounds like he/she has some issues.

    Personally, whether you update a blog theme or wear your "I (pink ribbon heart) Boobs" shirt, it's never a bad thing to bring more awareness to a good cause.

    If JB has an issue with many realtors putting on fake facades for the sake of prospecting, I understand.

    But it sounds like someone's just a bit upset with life in general..
  • I would not even waste my energy with someone who is out to just fill time ragging on others.

    Yahoo had a pink ribbon on their banner at the beginning of the month. Send JB after Yahoo and wash him away.

    <abbr>Richs last blog post..Do Not Spam In Real Estate Marketing</abbr>
  • @Jay, too funny! The email that JB sent, too funny. Poor thing, I actually feel sorry for her miserable self.
  • I like it when people comment on how ugly my profile picture is on my site. It is even better when they take the time to fill out a lead form and I get to put them in my database so they can see me weekly
  • Jay,

    JB's a coward. He "sucker punches" the only way possible on the internet, and doesn't have the guts to NOT be anonymous...

    Cowards like him need to be exposed. Bring it on!

    <abbr>Jim Gatoss last blog post..The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 10 Day Sales Event.</abbr>
  • Man, some people have way too much time on their hands. It can actually be quite scary! Nothing wrong with supporting a good cause and like you said, if he doesn't like it he is free to unsub and never come back.
  • Jay -- I am appalled! 

    'Dear JB' - I hope you never have a friend, mother, father, brother, sister, lover or child lose their life to cancer! 

    I, personally am a real estate agent along with Jay and many others here and in no way would consider going pink as a tactic to gain clients. It's more the compassion for your fellow man, your love one! I commend Jay for going Pink and sharing with us his inner soul to those he cares about, enough to remind those that October is Breast Cancer awareness month.  I know my brother living with cancer everyday thanks you! I know my brother at the age of 44 who lost his life to cancer thanks you, I know my mother of 63 who lost her battle with cancer thanks you, I know my mother in-law who lost her life to breast cancer thanks you, I know two young mothers under 35 yrs old that lost their battle with breast and lung cancer this year (2008) and friends of mine, thank you! I thank you Jay for allowing your readers to be reminded of the work we have to do to support the efforts in finding cures to fight this hideous disease. May your efforts be blessed and may JB  learn a lesson in compassion, that not everything is money driven!
  • JB sounds like a typical web troll. I am glad to see that you stood up against him. I completely agree with you if he does not like what you have to say then he should simply stop spending time on your blog.
  • I'm guessing JB thinks the http://www.gatesfoundation.org is an elaborate scheme by Bill Gates to sell more copies of Microsoft Office to the world.
  • Jay,

    Thanks for the pink, my sister passed away from breast cancer just two weeks ago. I may steal your idea and add a ribbon to my blog.

    That is why people blog instead of having a fixed website. It allows you to add more of your own personal touch. Most blogs aren't just about business it's about adding your own personallity to connect with your readers.

    As to people who are clueless like JB, it's often hard to know how to deal with them. Sometimes we want to get angry, sometimes we want to help them and correct their errant thinking, sometimes to laugh at them, but the best response is probably to just walk away and avoid that type of person.

    Ned

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Ned´s last blog post..Evictions Made Easy</abbr>
  • Your blog today reminded me to make my mammogram appointment - I had the physicians order magneted to my refrigerator for the past week. Thanks for the reminder!

    <abbr></abbr><abbr>Marilyn´s last blog post..Great karma ride</abbr>
  • Hey Jay,
    Yep...JB is the typical cybercrab. Obviously one frustrated individual who's only outlet is to rant anonymously. Kudos to you for your "Pinkocity". I'm proud to know you.
  • Cant everyone just get along. Its good to know you and thank for the reminder of a very important subject. I have lost very close friends to this disease.
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