Keeping up Appearances

      Clothes do not make the man but they do send a message. A couple of evenings ago I went to Carson Street in Pittsburgh for dinner.  Carson Street is a fun place with a large variety of eating and drinking establishments. Some upscale, others midscale. While my daughter was getting a parking pass a fellow approached me and said what are you doing down here on the South side all dressed up? You don't belong  down here looking like that. I was not dressed up. I was wearing a sport shirt and dark slacks. I glanced around and noticed several other folks dressed casualy also. The fellow who was chiding me was wearing jeans, workboots, a flannel shirt and carrying a back pack. To him I looked like a fancy businessman out sluming (his words). Too me he looked like a homeless street person (my thoughts) and I expected him to ask for money to help him out. Too my suprise he just went into a mini rant albeit a pleasant one on how people should dress down, and enjoy a walk in the rain. Your appearance sends a message to folks long before they are close enough to speak with you. Opinions are formed by observing your appearance. For all the fellow knew I could have been a homeless person dressed neatly looking for a hand out, as was the fellow who approached me at the parking pass station  the last time I visited the South side. For all I knew he could have been a banker dressed like a bum to get a reaction like a banker I know who ocasionaly does  to see how it feels. My tag line for years has been "Everything about you is a form of communication" Ask yourself what message am I sending? People will treat you differently based only on appearance.