Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Week 6 - Post 3
One concept from the reading that we have not already discussed in chapter five is about physical appearance. At the beginning of the section, the textbook suggests that when we go outside, “we take with us a material self that is created by the way we look and dress” (p. 123). This quote struck me as extremely true. For instance, if you go to an interview wearing leggings and t-shirt, your chances of getting the job are slim. While if you go to that interview wearing slacks and a blazer, you present yourself in a professional, more responsible manner. I will admit that I am guilty of going places in my pajamas, but when you have somewhere important to go such as an interview or dinner with your significant other’s parents, you choose your outfits in modesty. The way you dress is a nonverbal message to every person who lays their eyes on you. If a girl is wearing a very low cut shirt, she is sending different nonverbal messages to people that probably aren’t the most positive. On the other hand, if people are modest and even stylish, people tend to read your nonverbal message as you being a responsible, dependable person.
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Kylie Jones,
ReplyDeleteI also, agree with your statement that “the way you dress is a nonverbal message to every person who lays their eyes on you.” I think you bring up—and highlight—some important topics for discussion such as “What ‘messages’ do our clothes say about us?” and/or “How can we become aware of the ‘messages [we] may be inadvertently sending (Trenholm, 129)?” From my experience, growing up in a Christian home, I remember I felt that I had it tougher than most youths when it came to dress (what I wore). My mom would constantly remind me “If what you wear does not honor or represent Christ, then maybe you should reconsider what you are wearing and who you are representing instead.” Of course, being a teenager, I wanted to wear/dress however and whatever I felt like. I didn’t understand why I had to dress differently. However, as I got older, I realized how much our clothes say about us—to a certain extent, our clothes give light to our inner “self.” Meaning, our clothes nonverbally express how we feel inside; reflect our economic, social and religious status. If I say I am a Christian—or Catholic, or Buddhist etc—and I dress like a “slut,” the inadvertent messages I am sending across may actually hurt my reputation and contradict the religious views I hold/ “preach.” Furthermore, in order to avoid “double standards” I choose to dress “modestly” and/ or as my mom would say “Christ-like.” I don’t expect other Christians (or other religious individuals) to dress “modestly” as I choose to, however, I do think it is important for religious individuals (or just people in general) to recognize that what they say—I’m Christian or I’m a virgin for instance—may be undermined by the nonverbal messages they express through their clothes.
Great post!
Hi Kylie Jones
ReplyDeleteI liked how you talked about physical appearance and I believe that the way we look at times can say a lot about us as a person. I do like you example about what someone would wear to an interview. I think that at every interview people should dress appropriate if they are serious about getting a job. I find it funny when looking at job posts that they sometimes specify dressing professional. I feel that they shouldn’t have to put that and that people should know how to dress. I always like the tern dress to impress and believe as well that modest is good for certain situations. Like you mentioned the way we dress is a nonverbal message to people. And if you want to send a good message you should dress accordingly. If I were to go out to dinner with coworkers, I would still try to dress modest and stylish instead of completely laid back like I might with friends, only because I wouldn’t want my coworkers to think I was lazy and not serious about work. Whereas with friends, I might not mind wearing sweats and throwing my hair up and not caring as much since I am comfortable around them and don’t need to impress anyone. Great post and I liked how you talked about physical appearance.