Post-Spring Break has suddenly become very busy. Somehow. Some way. As life is wont to do in the third decade of the 21st century. One must sometimes squeeze in early (horribly early) morning appointments with the dentist, doctor, ophthalmologist, and so forth when openings become available. Which is how I managed time early today against later commitments, hustling out the door to the car without my preferred necktie of some kind.
I've since rectified the situation and added a dark red knit silk number to complete today's ensemble. The belt for today is a dark reddish brown braided leather item that typically is paired with these loafers. Not an exact color match, mind you, but close enough to work reasonably well together.
Now, why bother dressing in a slightly more sophisticated way for appointments (even the early ones)? Well, as I always advise -- and it holds true -- staff, specialists, technicians, and the doctors themselves tend to speak to you like someone with a functioning brain when you leave the windbreaker, white socks, and slack jaw at home.
Dress and present yourself to the world as though you have places to be, things to accomplish, and people to see in other words. You get treated with somewhat more respect and polite deference when you are not wearing pajamas, t-shirt and shorts, sweats, or a track suit in public spaces.
The same goes for ticketing and gate agents in airports as well as cabin crew once aboard the plane. Hotel shuttle and limo drivers along with the concierge staff at your destination also tend to react to you more pleasantly when you don't look like you've been sleeping rough somewhere for several days at a time. Try it and see when next you travel. Anywhere.
I know. I know. Preaching to the choir.
-- Heinz-Ulrich
P.S.
My eye doctor, an actual surgeon, sported a natty brown bow tie with silvery gray microdots, peeking out from beneath his white lab coat. I complimented him on his knot, we laughed, and chatted about the minutia of tying them before getting down to the the exam itself. A delightfully civilized exchange to start the day.
Nice outfit and good advice, Heinz-Ulrich. The socks are an especially nice touch with the tweed and cords.
ReplyDeleteA doctor friend of mine told me that bow ties were often worn by docs to avoid getting splashes of various germy fluids on the silk. Long ties tended to get dirty and stained. I wish that more of the local medical profession around here would wear a tie of any sort, at least occasionally. It is a true rarity these days.