The Indian guy may just have been preoccupied.
It happens, across all demographics.
Or, he may be a jerk.
That happens, but extends across all demographics, too.
Only he knows what he was thinking. Chat with him and see what he says....
Risking a perception of "painting with a broad brush," which is not my intent:
The Indian interface with American community is interesting to observe, and I get to see a fair amount of it in real estate.
Many new construction onsite agents dislike Indians, and work with them only as a profitable nuisance, mandated by their builder/employers.
One agent told me a few years ago, "We call them 'Canadians.'" IOW, a pejorative code word so the whole firm knows what they mean, and pretty clearly in violation of Fair Housing Law.
A great many Indian real estate agents seem to have little respect for American real estate procedures and laws. That is a harsh statement, but not inaccurate in my experience.
The interactions I have had over the years support that. Incompetent paperwork with a cavalier attitude and poor communication are not uncommon.
These attitudes and lack of professionalism can only exacerbate frictions in the interface with new construction agents who deal with it day after day.
And, in a multiple offer situation with an American listing agent on a resale house, that lack of professionalism can be a significant detriment to their clients' buying efforts.
I often get one of two requests from some potential Indian clients:
1. "We don't want to be in a strictly Indian community."
2. "We want to know there is a strong Indian community in any neighborhood where we buy."
Under Fair Housing law, I cannot honor either request, and tell them so.
Some grasp that and appreciate the education. Some just find an agent who does not care about the quaintness of our laws.
I have had Indian clients who formerly worked with Indian agents, who were not comfortable with the service rendered.
And, I have had potential clients with a preference to work with Indian agents.
When language, idiom, nuance are important, as in the fine points of a real estate transaction, I certainly respect wanting to work with someone with local experience that translates well in a common native language.
I find my Indian clients to be...
People.
They want their kids to thrive. They want to be safe. They want assurance that they are making a reasonable purchase. They hope for a good long-term outcome.
Just people.
Many American contractors, particularly the independent tradesmen, just flat-out will not work with Indians. The Americans who are any good at what they do are busy enough, they will decline to struggle with a cultural norm of endless negotiation, and too much negotiation merely for the sport of it.
Negotiation doesn't bother me much. It is a good training ground.
But, for many Americans, endless negotiation after a contract is struck is often perceived as a core integrity issue and a strong irritant.
That seems to be different perception of the process, and can be detrimental to the Indian client reaching their goals.
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