we all have made assumptions about people based on how they look. it could be how the dress, how they groom or just personal style.
I will add some thoughts and experiences later.
People usually reflect their character, personality and uniquness through their wardrobe, which should be worn in confidence. However, a persons style and appearance can be deceiving at times. For instance, I've known a few people in University who looked and dressed rather different, and out of the ordinary, however, they were some of the nicest, smartest people I've met. The same situation can occur in the opposite fashion. A well, sharp dressed person who may seem to look smart, may be a total numbskull. I tend not to judge a person by their appearance. I judge them once I get to know them personally
They say a lot, even if the politically correct thing is to say that they don't.
In the West where people are generally well off, if a person dresses in a sloppy or unclean manner, it suggests he doesn't care about how he looks, so chances are there are other things in life he doesn't care about either.
If a guy wears tight, pink leather pants, well it says he is adventurous if not gay.
If someone wears the same styles as everyone around him, it suggests he is likely to be a conformist in life.
aside from the dress, grooming etc sends its own signals. I had this fellow work for me on a project, my impression by just looking at him was that he is someone who is very unorganized, does nto pay attention to detail etc because his clothes were mismatched and a mess and he was not groomed properly, however he truned out to be a really good worker.
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*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
aside from the dress, grooming etc sends its own signals. I had this fellow work for me on a project, my impression by just looking at him was that he is someone who is very unorganized, does nto pay attention to detail etc because his clothes were mismatched and a mess and he was not groomed properly, however he truned out to be a really good worker.
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But would you put him in front of a client where an impression of your company would be at stake?
How a person looks in his clothing doesn't necessarily reflect his/her internal self.
i.e. girls with less clothes aren't always skanks
Guys with glasses aren't always nerds
In my personal experience, i've met people who've blown me away. The presumptions we create of one another is by categorizing people into groups. If a person dresses in black with black makeup on they are presumed to be devil worshipping goths when in fact you can have the most delightfully exhillirating time with them whether it be at work or a casual conversation. I say, we tend to draw conclusions quickly before the person has a chance to utter a single word. Sadly, its a flawed human characteristic much practiced and encouraged in marketing to group people. About time we should stop doing that, no?
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*Originally posted by Kareem: *
But would you put him in front of a client where an impression of your company would be at stake?
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No. I would not and did not. Image and impressions are very important and link to professionalism and competency in many people's mind. This gentleman's role did not require much client contact. I did have a chat with him on dressing properly and grooming properly and he made some effort in that area.
I would have nto accepted this guy for my project either based on appearances, but I was stuck with it. The guy turned out to be a good worker but his appearance may have kept him from getting the opportunity to work on that project.
aside from appearance from a professional perspective. how about hair style, complexion, facial hair, etc say
Unkempt people are stupid
When I visit Pakistan, I usually get a flat-top, and dress like natives. People comment that I look like a villager and not someone from America. It is sad but true that presentation accounts for a lot in pretty much all sectors. But when one reaches the top of the ladder, one can give an F about what people think. A 1200 dollar suit is just as good as a 5000 dollar one.
Ahmadi: you are so bourgeois. I don't know why I even bother.
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*Originally posted by NYAhmadi: *
People comment that I look like a villager and not someone from America.
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Ny, i have had the same happen to me. wearing kurta shalwaar just chillin. Ppl are like yaar it does not look like u live in the US. I guess they expect to see me dress like P Diddy ;)
anyways, anytime I see someone in an oonchi shalwaar and all, I think "kath mullah" alert. I got to know one gentleman with a beard and oonchi shalwaar at a desi mithai place and the dude is funny as hell, very knowledgeable, plays cricket on the weekends and in general not really much different than anyone else. blew away my stereotypical impressions
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*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
aside from appearance from a professional perspective. how about hair style, complexion, facial hair, etc say
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Aside from professional perspective, it almost doesn't matter what people think about hair style, complexion, and facial hair. You can give them a finger and walk away :) But you can't if you are looking for a job.
Chaltahai, yaar, I am scared s-less, meeting with the top brass in the city this coming Friday. Am told to be prepared for a new job, OMB, advising the big honcho on how to come up with additional cuts in the already scarce services. Please pray for me that I am not offered this work. In addition to taking my flexibility away, this job will make me work with people (in 4 different political entities) that I have no respect for. Thinking of which, I should probably wear a nice Shalwar Kurta to that meeting, and introduce myself Ahmadi bin Laden, with expertise in getting to the bottom of financial areas!
Fradz… It is better that we are perceived like that. I love it. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I don’t want to look like a bloody “visitor” in my own country, and I wont want to look like a “visitor” in my board meetings here.
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*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
I got to know one gentleman with a beard and oonchi shalwaar at a desi mithai place and the dude is funny as hell, very knowledgeable, plays cricket on the weekends and in general not really much different than anyone else.
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I know at least two people like that. One of them turned out to have a much better sense of humour than I expected and really laid back.
NYA, when I visit Pakistan - very rarely I admit - I also dress local and next time I might get a flat topper as well. I hate looking like a tourist and I'd only get fleeced anyway so what's the point?
I've preplanned to wear dhoti and kurta when I go to Pakistan. I prolly change the hair if it gives it away. It's hard to judge people based on appearance alone. I know somebody who is "working" on his GED while dressed up for wall street. I know some creative genius's who dress like they were stuck in the eighties. Polished indivisuals do exude a better persona.
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*Originally posted by NYAhmadi: *
People comment that I look like a villager and not someone from America.
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I hear ya Br. NYA. New Yorkers have a weird sense of humor. But I am sure they make this comment for a reason.
I love guys in Ghaghro Cholis. 
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*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
aside from appearance from a professional perspective. how about hair style, complexion, facial hair, etc say
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hair style these days is all over the place
so is facial hair, there isn't any criteria for it to my knowledge.
complexion ooh now thats one practiced often to keep equal rights open.
ok this is what my impression would be:
gorgeous guy walks in, beautiful eyes perfect build and a smile to die for
my impression:
HE’S GAY