Have you ever been judged by your appearance?

Question

I am currently interior designing a multi-million dollar motel, and normally I wear business attire when seeking out suppliers. When at home I dress in my comfy clothes (track-suit pants and t-shirt) when one afternoon I ducked out to a potiential supplier (with only a half an hour before they closed - so didn't have time to change) to check on something and take some photos. Because of the way I was dressed, I was ignored, and frowned upon for taking the photos. The next day when I went back (dressed in my normal attire) 3 or 4 assistants came up to me and asked if I needed help, and when I told them what I was needing the photographs for, they couldn't have been more helpful. I felt a little like Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman'!!
Has anyone else been pre-judged because of their appearance?

Answer 1

Yes. People, including you and I, have good reason to judge people by how they look.
The more classy someone dresses the more respect you'd give them, and the more dressed down or grungy someone dresses the less respect/trust you'd give them. Just try to see it from their angle, and it should help you.
I've found that in these circumstances to just remember who I am and how important I am, whether they know it or not, and I carry myself with confidence.

I used to work for a multi-millionare as his Superintendent of a huge residential construction company. This man, Blaine, was very wealthy and influential. He owned several businesses throughout the valley, and thousands of employees, etc. But, even though this man was very wealthy and powerful, he dressed like the poorest, grungiest looking man. He didn't like to be judged RICH by others. He found people were more fake around him when he dressed up than when he dressed casually. He got to know people and how they really are. He didn't have to worry about getting cheated out of a deal cuz someone thought he'd pay more for something and he never had to worry about people sucking up to him for handouts, jobs, etc.
He let his hair grow long and shaggy, rarely shaved, wore the same outfit almost the entire week, never bought new shoes, drove an old clunker F250 truck. I know he showered daily, it was obvious working for him, but he didn't look clean-cut and classy. But the most interesting thing about this man was when he spoke you could tell he was educated, very intellagent, respectful, dignified. He carried himself so very confidently that sometimes you'd forget what he was wearing and see right through the outward appearance to the enormously great businessman that he was.

Because of his example I've learned to not care what others are looking at when they see me, but more of how I feel and think on my inside.

:)

Answer 2

Yes - it's human nature, but not necessarily a good thing....It's funny, because more than one person has said, "You were a cheerleader in high school, weren't you? Which is too, too funny because I was kind of an awkward geek at that time. For whatever reason, people whom I don't know so well seem to think that I'm probably high maintenance and prissy - which is funny considering what I do for a living......I'm a paramedic. Anyway, don't let people's judging of you bother you. As long as YOU are okay with the TYPE of person you are and the life you are leading, don't worry what people think your appearance means.

Answer 3

I think that everyone is judged every minute of everyday. It's just that some people tend not to notice or dont want to think about it. Whereas others have this exact thought on their minds all the time.

(For example). If you see a man that looks like he's of middle eastern apperence, would you think that he's a terroist and is here to bomb our country?
If you see an asian guy walking on the street, would you think that he'll try to sell you drugs?
If you were to see 2 very stylishly dressed men, would you assume that they are gay?
If you were to see a beautiful blonde haired girl, would you automatically assume that she couldnt hold a decent conversation, or that she's dumb?
If you saw a guy with blue eyes, blond hair, wearing thongs and shorts, u'd think he's gotta be an Aussie?

Every moment of every day, someone somewhere is being judged for what color their skin is, how they dress, and even the color of their hair.

I'm will admit that i do get judged everyday as well, i know that almost 95 percent of the ppl on this earth would have been judged at least once in their life, if not everyday, no matter where you are, what you wearing, the person judging you, simply see's you as another person in that sterotyped box.

I'm australian and i get judged for what i'm wearing, what i look like, the way i speak, the fact that my son doesnt look like he belongs to me (even tho i gave birth to him), and the fact that the man who is always by my side cant be my husband/boyfriend as he's chinese.

Why do ppl do this? I think it's coz they've got too much free time on their hands

Does this worry me? Some days i would say for sure. But i keep thinking this is me, and it's my life to do what i please.

Answer 4

I often visit a coffee shop for a little "quiet" time on my own to catch up on some reading or writing. The girl who serves me knows me and always starts my order as soon as she sees me drive in the car park. On several occasions I noticed that her eyes follow anyone coming in - she looks each person up and down and it is like I can actually hear her mind ticking over and putting these people into the relevant boxes with the labels clearly marked on each one. Some days I walk in dressed real casual and other times I may be dressed more "formally". I asked her outright if she does the same to me. She was embarrassed and I knew straight away I had caught her out. She knew it too. But guess what, she still does it. So, yes, I have been judged. I guess she is not the only one out there doing exactly the same thing. I hope there are lots and lots of labelled boxes, as I probably have a small space in each one marked with my name. Maybe we will meet one day in one of those boxes. RR

Answer 5

This happens to everyone. That's one reason why I always make sure to look at least somewhat dressy even my casual "at home" clothes are a little better than casual and I don't own track pants. For some reason is commands more respect, which I think is foolish, but it's the way the world works.

Answer 6

that is what i hate most about society. people think the more you have in material things, or the way you dress that automaticially can tell you what kind of a person you are! i am sorry.. i see it first hand every day. at my daughters school it is all sectioned off into groups. it is like high school. and i heard one person say that one of the rich mothers is sick with a serious diease and some one actually said "i hope every one still likes her when she does not look nice any more" makes me sick. do not judge until you know the person on the inside

Answer 7

Yes, different kind of judgment, but yes. I broke up a fight in a restaurant between some female "gangstas" By the time the cops got there, the people involved in the fight had run off, guess who ended up being detained and ran for warrants...Me. I hardly look like a gang banger, had never been in trouble before....and I was treated like a criminal, I don't think my tan skin helped. :(

Answer 8

Yup...i went to Tiffany's to choose my engagement ring, i got to the place before my man so i was looking around, as id had a long tiring day, i must have looked a mess. They wouldnt serve me at all. I waited for ages.They began serving people behind me. And then, it was time to close. So i had to come back the next day, i looked at a few rings with my man, and then pontedly said this place was too GARISH for my liking and walked out. Im not proud, im disgusted.

Answer 9

It happens all the time! Your doing it too... maybe you dont know it...

basically the brain just assumes that you are this and that basing on your appearance, and this is based on past experience... I know it sounds a unfair. But really? do you have the time to really "know" everyone you meet? you brain probaby goes haywire... so the brain creates shortcuts to lessen the workload

Jed B
Webmaster
http://panicattacktreatment.wordpress.com/

Answer 10

I think that this happens all the time, it's like the saying goes, never judge a book by the cover.