Melinda,

Haha! Some days my tongue is raw with bite marks.

I simply turn away, slide into my Porsche, and drive away knowing that *I* know the real truth, as proven by my ride, my bank account, and my FREEDOM!!!

Automobile therapy works.

Smart alec answers do no good for anyone. Take the high road.

Save the zingers for us here - make us laugh!

From experience I know that I can be recorded and that used against me because conversations made in the open are not privileged.

Need thick skin in this business - alligator tough. Had this myself a couple times very recently (I mean more memorable ones - happens a lot at different levels)

Depending on the situation, Strategies include:

> Pray for strength & wisdom

> Silence

> I'l check with owners and see if that is possible, but it's an unusual request/situation, and I don't know if it will fly - but I can try for you.

> If someone is just being stupid (no real harm done) - that's their personal problem.

You can't fix stupid, but you can fix what stupid does.

>However, if it's a personal attack on my integrity, I will set that straight - clearly and politely.

> No arguing. Polite inquiry is OK. Gets a polite response/explanation of the facts - just the facts, not emotion. Raised voice/tone/accusations means the conversation is over.

Like Paulio said, sometimes you do need to speak up - appropriately.

If a prospect says/does something crazy, I can move on to the next prospect and be grateful for a bullet dodged.

If a tenant says or does something that is a lease or safety violation, they need to be corrected.

If a contractor screws up, they need to be corrected

Always remembering that you could be recorded at all the time these days helps to choose words carefully. So does writing it down.

And, yeah - venting here is sometimes the only safe place. We get it & can laugh / commiserate together.

They are tenants for a reason. Nothing you say or do is going to make a dent in their behavior. You can't teach them how to behave. They won't even understand what you are talking about.

Smile politely and screen out the obvious idiots before you rent to them, so you don't have to deal with them further.

If one gets in, take your first opportunity to get rid of him, so you don't have to deal with him any more than necessary.

Remind yourself that everything you say can be use against you in a court of law.

If you really can't control your own mouth, turn your rentals over to a property management company and stop interacting with the tenants.

DJ has a great answer. Ditto that.

This is a business, just have to keep it that way. Read my post on "What do Do?". Talk about wanting to go off on someone! At the end of the day, it won't make a difference. Keep it professional in your communication. If it gets too bad, keep all communication in writing. When you respond, only respond to the business matters. Ignore the insults and other side remarks. Respond to those, but with someone else (like this forum).

I always remind myself that the best revenge is to not give them what they want. They want something to use against you. When you get angry, just turn into a rule spouting robot, quoting the lease and not straying. Then when they get even more mad and yell louder, be proud that you are getting under their skin. Gain satisfaction from that. Focus on not what they're saying but why they're saying it.

Assume everything is being recorded and that every judge will feel sorry for your tenant. That sets the mood to watch what you say right there.