Physical Appearance

[Stratos]

I never cared about how I appeared to other people since I was young, it's at a level where I would go to school without ironing my uniform, straight out of the dryer and is causing my mom to go ballistic on me calling me untidy and everything. Of course, I often defend myself with "my appearance doesn't affect my grade."

Why do people lean towards wanting everyone to look tidy? I've never seen any need to appear tidy, when I don't really feel like spending 20 mins on ironing my clothes, I mean there are better things to do with 20 mins. Is it important to look clean? or not? of course hygiene is a different story, but just things with clothes and how you carry yourself.

 

[missbishi]

I thinkyour mom is just paraonid that people will see you in an unironed shirt and think she isn't looking after you properly. It really shouldn't matter too uch as long as you, and your clothes are clean! However, this will change once you start work. You'll more than likely need to start ironing then, particularly if you have to dress smart or wear a uniform. Tell your mom you'd rather spend the time studying!

 

[xTinx]

It's important to look clean and presentable. It's not like your mom wants you to be vain. She simply wants you to look your best. Whether you like it or not, you're eventually going to care about how people will see you in the near future. In addition, against your better judgment, regardless of how you see yourself, some people will always judge you for your appearance. Besides, there are psychological advantages attached to hygiene. The cleaner you are, the less you tend to be depressed and the more awesome you feel about yourself. You can look it up if I sound doubtful.

 

[Mockingbird]

I can identify with how you feel, ironing is not high on the list of things I want to do for everyday appearances. I will do it for very special occasions when looking perfect is called for. If you are taking your shirts right out of the hot dryer they are probably not that wrinkled, they may not have the perfect press lines but they are satisfactory for daily wear. Now if you are pulling your shirts out from under your bed thats a different story altogether.

Food for thought- I work for a woman that dresses every single day like she is going to meet the Queen herself, I used to wonder why because the office is no where near the same level of perfection. One day it dawned on me what was happening, sometimes in life we have to play a part, and being successful in the part means appearing as one would think that role should be, in her case it was dress for success. It works, she needed to look the part to carry the authority needed to do the job.

 

[sidney]

Ironed clothes do matter when you're working already, but it's ok to not want to bother with ironing while you're young. Just be prepared to hear a comment about it. I remember when I was ironing my own uniform because my mom was mad at me, and my classmate commented that I must be the one that ironed my uniform since it's not immaculately straight. I said yes, lol.