Attitudes change when they learn you are "in real estate"

[Ron Jensen]

I am a novice but over the years I have noticed that I will get along with someone splendidly until they ask "what do you do?" and I say that I am getting into real estate.  If that is their career or job, their attitude changes drastically.

Is this what competitive nature is?  Or what else is at hand in these scenarios?

Another example was a guy telling me about how the real estate company he works for is desperate to find new employees to manage properties.  No employees will stick around.  Well I said that I have training and am actively seeking a job in that field and I can provide a professional resume to apply for a position, but his attitude drastically changed and no longer speaks to me and avoids me.

Is this because he has no training but just landed the job by luck?  He is concerned I look better than him?

What exactly is happening in these situations?  What is the drastic change of attitude about?  Are they "competitive"?  Is it they are not the collaborative types?

I also have a hobby with something that has nothing to do with real estate.  I get a similar reaction if they find out I share this same hobby, like they are getting competitive over a simple hobby?

What is happening?