Dressed to Impress Inspired by Mel Paras

Dressed to Impress , By Mel Paras
  I have been in retiring mode now for a few months and the transition is going smoothly. But I realized early is that when you dress very well , suit and tie and dressy shoes you get an reaction.
Many times I get the thumbs up and what a cool dresser , but I also get the haters and you know they are talking smack about you. Why? Because image and perception is what makes the world go around.. Too many people think well dressed people are selfish, arrogant , money hunger show offs. The media and films has a big influence on that type of thinking , but I think people are just jealous and envious of the well to do. I feel it when I take my car in for service dressed to impress , its like those young service advisors , look at me. Well since retiring I grew out my hair and tinted it to make myself younger looking. I also have lost weight , gained muscle and act youthful.. So in their eyes they see a young guy with a expensive car and clothes.. He must be a drug dealer or gambler or a spoiled brat whose parent bought him that car... And to be honest even if thats the case , which is not..Why do people make judgments. Simple ,, Human Nature.. People just make snap judgments because it makes them feel in control. They don't  want to hear the truth... They want their own  determination of reality!! But its just amazing how different  people treat you simply by wearing a suit and tie and speaking properly. 
 Now.. when I put on the hoodies or ball caps and wear the hip hop clothes.. I too get another reaction. I get more snickers or sneers.. Why? They think I'm a gang banger or drug dealer or simply a criminal.. I get less respect and I get treated more like a kid.. Even though I'm a middle aged man.. Its amazing how what you wear  can dictate people reactions to you.. 
 Is there a middle ground ? Of course there is.. Don't wear too fancy of clothes or wear the over the top Jewelry if you want to  be taken as a more down to earth person.. But then again, I feel your personality dictates alot how people treat you.. If you smile and greet people , most people will return the favor.. But you look like a mean dude.. Chances are your not going to get too many people that want to deal with you per se.. It's just things I have observed and things I will deal with as I get back into the civilian sector. I plan to be more friendly and accessible , compared to my Military days.. Those days were so stressful and intense.. It was a fast paced and stressful way of living. But now, I'm trying to be more laid back and become the civilian that I was many years before I joined the Military.. Don't get me wrong, I still have the hard charging, and passion for whatever I do and I still don't mind the attention I get because of the way I look or talk. But I'm realizing that life in the civilian world is a much slower and sometimes excruciating experience.. What I mean is .. you have to learn to be patient and you have to expect the worse in people and issues. Unlike the military.. The Civilian world doesn't have the strict codes or honors to follow.. In the civilian world, Its a almost cut throat , its a go get what you can get world. Where if you snooze you lose,, and where you miss opportunities.. you may not get others very soon. YOU HAVE TO CAPITALIZE ON THINGS in real life.. You can't waste time.. and you have to dress to impress.. Whatever that means? You are what you wear folks.. and society makes judgments on whats important to you as soon as they see how you dress? If you dress conservatively , they feel this person wear clothes that doesn't attract attention and is prone to be a team player and a conformist. Now if you dress flashy and expensive.. That will indicate you care about money and use it for yourself and you are high maintenance and may not be the total team player. Attention seeker, Ego Maniac, Self centered , arrogant Person.. ? Am I right ? Now if you dress juvenile or ghetto girlish.. Then Employers will look at you as in mature, disruptive and not someone they want to hire. In life many times you have to do things that are not fun.. BY DRESSING APPROPRIATELY , you will determine your chances for success. I know I have seen the many reactions from people , based on how I dress and behave. When I meet people I like to shake their hands look in their eyes and get a sense of what they are. When People don't do that ,, its not saying they are bad people . But I see that as feeling they are insecure and don't have the confidence to meet and greet people. Its a staple in today's society.. You have to reach out and greet people.. and I don't mean just with face book postings.. The Posting of face book, should not be your persona., But instead only a percentage of your image.. Your true character is based on how you dress and how you treat others .. Respect is not taken it should be earned and I realized through my interactions with society , nothing earns more respect than dressing well and speaking well under all meetings with family or friends.. 
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