Today I had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Crockett's. This time I was not dressed in my usual attire, dirty jeans covered in paint, dirty shoes covered in paint and/or gresse or chit mud. Also, dirty torn gloves with the fingers cut out, dirty overcoat topped with pig tails, and a baseball cap. Sometimes I might still be wearing a hi-visibility vest from our local rubbish company. Nope, today I was wearing maroon leggings, a nice long crocheted top, long necklace strangs, lots of jewerly and my mink (Real Mink) jacket. The people that sat next top me started talking to me. Along with lunch, I had a pleasent conversation. Usually, I just get a long look from people and then the shoulder. What a difference on how your clothing can influence how people perceive where you are at in life.
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Alicia, you are so right! We are all guilty of judging a book by it's cover...but so many times....that book is really interesting and we should have given it a chance to be read differently. Some of the best stories have come from behind the rattiest covers.
It is all smoke and mirrors. Different people will perceive you in different ways no matter how you are dressed, they just ASS-U-ME things.
Today you showed them that you clean up nicely .....When you dress up you feel proud and probably exude confidence. When you have on your work duds, you can blend into the woodwork, people ignore you....but I bet YOU feel just as comfy and happy in your dirty clothes.
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Cars, clothes, houses, and such...mean nothing to me...only how someone treats his fellow man in life is what counts.
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Guys,
For a great example about this topic, please check out my most recent posting......Which I chose to call "The Dog and The Magpie".......It, most certainly, confirms the fact that the habit does not make the priest....
Make sure you, also, pay attention to the demeanor of the lady and the second dog, in the background
I hope you enjoy the video, as much as I did.
RD
[ January 15, 2014, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Ricardo Davila ]
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
When I was 12 years old I took my lawnmowing money to the Stop-N-Go to get some candy. The old man in front of me was buying a pack of bologna and a loaf of bread. He was wearing faded, dirty bib overalls, a dingy white t-shirt, and no shoes.
As he started to count the change from his little change purse it turned out he was 37 cents short, so he was going to leave the bread, and just buy the bologna. I put one of my candy bars back, and offered to pay the 37 cents.
The old man asked for my name and address so he could return the money, and the clerk suggested that I tell him to make him feel better.
About a week later I received a check in the mail for $100.37 signed by the wealthiest man in this area at that time.
My Dad and I went to his house to return the extra $100, and he was still wearing the same outfit. He explained that it was comfortable, and he also went into detail of how he often "came up short" to see if anyone would offer to help.
He said he admired the fact that I gave up a candy bar so an old man could have a meal. He then reached into his other pocket, and pulled out a roll of $100 bills, and told us that he had that on him at the time, as he handed me another 100 for trying to return the first one, and my Dad 100 for driving me to his house. We both tried to refuse, but he wouldn't hear of it. At that time my Dad's "take home" pay was just under $100 a week.
That was the day I learned to never judge anyone by their appearance.
Posted by Joy Kjer (Member # 3026) on :
Well, just to look at it from a different perspective, if you were a dirty, crappy sign you wouldn't get as much respect and attention as a gilded beauty! Just sayin'.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Don, I really love your story!
Posted by Ricardo Davila (Member # 3854) on :
Don,
That was a very impressive, life enduring and cool lesson, you received there......Thanks for sharing.
RD
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Once again, where's the thumbs up button. Nice story Don from someone who was obviously raised by very good parents.
[ January 15, 2014, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Great story Don....
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
"like"
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
I was going to reply with a Joke about How I never get treated seriously when I wear My Hi Heels... but Don, that tops the Cake! And Thanks to Alecia's Story we probably would have never read it! Thanks!
Posted by Cal Trauter (Member # 10938) on :
WOW
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
I deal with general managers and owners of many new car stores. When I have a sit-down meeting with any of them, if I wear a fancy suit, rarely do I get as aggressive a sale as when I wear jeans and some sign of paint on my clothes. Have spent many trips trying to prove or disprove this, but it remains clear that unless I look like a painter, they think I must be charging too much money.
Then there is the watch. I bought a nice, simple Rolex years ago. Not one of those diamond encrusted gold ones, but a simple stainless steel with no day bubble. Whenever they spot that, if they have guts, they ask me how I could afford such a luxury. I tell them it is simply my only luxury. I usually comment on theirs as Rolexes seem to be the marker that indicate authority in the car biz. Truth is that it is a great watch and can take serious abuse and keep running. I was buying a new cheapie every year or so before and this one has lasted me 20 years so far. These car dogs all spot it and stare at it, even if they say nothing. Most of them always act like they accept my modest luxury and I get the job out of some bizarre appreciation that I must know what I am talking about, or else I would not have it. Convincingly, the watch seems to grab more respect than any other thing I wear. Unfortunately the watch is still made today and they are outrageously expensive. They make knock-offs, but they do not last more than a year or so, I hear.
Bottom line is that the watch to the car dogs is the most effective ornament I have ever seen. Expensive suits or expensive shoes/boots do nothing, but the Rollie does gain respect. Hate to sound so materialistic about it, but to my cause, the watch has done what a fancy suit does for others.
Posted by Shirley Carron (Member # 2446) on :
That's funny Preston,
Years ago, whenever things got quiet at the shop, I'd dress up and hit the road to do some good ol' fashioned cold calls. Nothing like getting out there and meeting folks and talking about their signs!
I did notice however, the more I dressed 'like a girl', the less seriously I was taken. As if a girl wouldn't be able to handle a large pylon sign!
So I took to dressing neatly, even went so far as to wear jeans (no paint) a tailored jacket, shirt and.... a tie.
Suddenly - I was taken seriously!
Go figure!
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
I never think about making an impression with the clothes or accessories I wear when interviewing for a job...or at any time for that matter...I just don't want to look so odd that it draws attention...I am comfortable with just being myself...maybe the antibusinessman persona is a refreshing change from what many people are expecting...of course knowing I have my portfolio in hand...comprising my best work...doesn't hurt one's confidence level either...I think most of us sign people feel pretty much the same in this area...we are who we are...take it or leave it.
[ January 16, 2014, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: Rusty Bradley ]
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
I look pretty darn good in a suit. I look pretty good in jeans and a T.
Heard too many times from fellow sign people. Going to a big wig meeting with jeans and a T. It's gotten to the point where wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt as an anti-establishment statement is worse than wearing a suit.
I don't mind pigtails, pants with paint and sawdust and the smell of one shot. Was admiring someone the other day in grubbies working away. But it sure is nice when a girl gets gussied up.
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
My father in law works for one of the biggies in the Defense Dept as a contractor. He answers to cabinet level people.
His daily outfit is: $900 suit $300 tie $200 shoes $600 briefcase And of course a very expensive watch (which is why I was reminded of this story)
He was working there about a year when one of the people that works for him (about 300) said something about his car.
His parking spot is one of the best as you go into the glass skyscaper, so everyone sees it as they enter the building.
As you look down the row at the High end Mercedes, jags, Porshes and other exotics, he proudly pulls along side with his 2001 Honda Civic.
He actually went to buy the car for my wife when she was in college, but loved the gas milage so much, he kept it.
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
I guess he gets to use whatever kind of toothpaste he wants, as long as he doesnt tell anyone what brand it is?
