by Rachel Faye

Created on: May 07, 2008

Importance of appearance in society

The world that we live in now is much smaller' as compared to 20 or 30 years ago thanks to globalization.

Society no longer sees a homogeneous race living in isolation, except for some closed societies. People are traveling and working overseas, some will settle in the host country and become citizens, inter-racial marriages are also becoming the norm. We are slowing but surely becoming as one.

Appearance is very important.

It is the first impression the other person makes of you at first glance. If you have a poor first impression, usually, it will take more effort on your part to dispel the prejudice view. For example, in the office, take two workers of the same level in the organization, one is dressed sloppily and the other is smartly dressed. If a client walks in, his first impression would be that the better dressed colleague is the supervisor, and the other is the worker. What if the worker is better dressed than the supervisor? That same client will then assume that the worker is the supervisor at first glance. People will usually assume that the better dressed you are, the higher position you hold in the company. They will approach you first for any queries they have.

When you go for an interview, same rule applies. The client wanting to recruit one candidate just for one position will take into account your deportment, the manner you hold yourself and the way you present yourself visually. Even though you may be better qualified, the other candidate may be chosen because he fits' the company image. Unfair, but sometimes true.

Another scenario, if you go to the convenience store. You walk in with your shorts and flip flops, and you happen to approach the cashier at the same time as another customer, who is dressed smartly. Chances are he will get served first as you wait for your turn. Imagine, now that you are the cashier, and two people of the same age, same gender, except that one is better dressed and the other looks like a beggar, walk towards you at the same time, who would you choose to serve first?

Outside a restaurant, where you have a queue waiting for an available table, a better dressed couple would most likely be asked to go in first. Once at the table, service rendered to you will also be slightly different (even though the staff will deny it), they may hand the menu to you as compared to the staff leaving it on the table and abruptly walking away. Sad but true, I have experienced this first hand.

How about

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