• Classy people never let you down.

    Posted on May 20th, 2010 by and currently 10 commenting.


    Nope. To quote a lyric from one of my favorite songs from Edwin McCain, “it ain’t about the money…”

    The other day as I was walking into the Fresh Market (don’t you love that name, I want everything from the market to be fresh so I get food from there a lot…), my friend called me. Or I called her.

    We just call once and while.

    Have any friends who just seem to always show up at the right moment in your life? It’s a very cool thing…

    Anyway, I realized as I sat listening to her talk about this and that in the parking lot. And to me talking back about this and that and laughing. I realized that being “classy” is not about having money or things. Or knowing what fork to use. Not. At. All.

    It’s about having a soul.

    Long before there were bank accounts and designer clothes or gilt.com, there were people who always knew what to say and exactly when to say it. You know, kind of like the Dad on little house on the praire…it’s an art.

    I ran into her boss last week and I said, “I feel like I know you, ________ and I are very close friends and she thinks a lot of you”. (Have to leave off her name because I know I would embarrass her with this post). He smiled and said this: she’s an amazing person and the best part, she hasn’t got a clue how remarkably smart she is.

    Classy people are humble about their talents.

    I asked her when we were talking to send me a phone number and contact information for someone I wanted to reach. She did it — in a matter of minutes.

    Classy people keep promises.

    She also is a truth teller. We went to a huge party recently and she looked at me mid evening and said, “I’d rather be home reading.” We laughed and we both went home.

    Classy people don’t lie to themselves or others. Even about the little things.

    It’s a funny set of words: “classy people”. And I don’t know why she makes me think of them. Weird really. Maybe the more politically correct term these days is “authentic”.

    But you know I speak some truth here.

    There are fine lines that separate the really genuine people from those that are just all fanfare, talk and twitter.

    So I’ll say it again, classy people never let you down. Classy leaders never let you down. Classy companies thrive and grow and listen and learn and draw people towards them everyday.

    Hmmmm. What kind of person are you? What kind of company do you own, work for or keep?

    And most importantly of all, who do you admire?

  • http://theesuite.wordpress.com/ Dennis Baker

    Great piece.

    In the end it’s all about character isn’t it. Classy people have character, are comfortable in their skin and genuinely want to help others.

    That’s a very nice place to be.

  • http://www.robyndavissekula.com Robyn Davis Sekula

    I like this piece a lot – good insight – your friend sounds like a joy to know. My goal is to be just like her.

  • http://brainsonfire.com Eric Dodds

    I think another characteristic that distinguishes classy people with character is the ability to deal with failure or mistakes gracefully. It’s always inspiring to see someone deal with failure in a winsome way – in a way that they learn from what happened, take responsibility where necessary, and move forward in just the right amount of time.

    Great thoughts, Robbin. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://www.thetrainingfactor.com Jonathan Saar

    I love the purest definition of a classy person in this post. I can’t imaging seeing it any other way. Too often we can get caught up in the hype of “trying” to connect with someone just because everyone else is. The bottom line is that there are real people who are there for you everyday and there are those who do not seek the limelight but are content to give without receiving. That’s a class act.

    Thanks for the post. I love everything you guys do. :)

  • http://brainsonfire.com Robbin

    So I have to share with you my friend’s response when I told her about this post. I love it. More proof…

    Wow, Robbin!! Thank you so much. What an incredibly huge compliment; I appreciate your putting that into words. It’s nice to hear people tell you look great or that you have this or that talent, but genuineness is the only thing that really matters to me.

    Thank you, sweet friend!

  • Christy

    Robbin, this post came just at the right time for me. Thank you so much for taking the time to articulate this. It’s hitting something I’m really struggling with right now, and that’s how to actively choose who I’m trying to please (yep, people-pleaser here).

    Your spirit, and that of your friend’s, are examples of who I want to be when I grow up. It’s easy to forget that, especially when there’s so much “keeping up” going on around me.

    I find this post very courageous. Thank you.

  • KC

    Excellent thoughts/words Robbin.
    I work for a “classy” person and see the value of having what you shared about classy people lived out day by day in this business life. It is a challenge. “Classy” grows out of what lives in our heart.
    Thanks for sharing your friend with us. It’s awesome to have classy friends!

  • Tracy

    Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Classy people know this and live it.

  • http://pointoforder.squarespace.com kamran popkin

    I saw ‘classy’ used as a snarky put down the other day on the twitters. They should prolly read this, but I doubt they do much reading. My fave book and movie has a great line, ‘You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your f’ing khakis’.
    Classy people know and live that line. I hope to be able to also, someday.

  • http://brainsonfire.com Robbin

    @ kamran, someone pointed that out to me after I posted this blog. Timing is funny that way. Smiles to you