Yes. Indeed, today I may not shave. I also am likely to dress in the same sort of long-sleeved T-shirt that I always do. My ratty dock pants might have once been khaki. But my hair is combed, my teeth brushed, and I am alert and with it. Add the bulky sweater, red LL Bean chamois jacket. First impression? The Way Back Machine has dragged forward a refugee “ole’ timer” from Down East Maine in the 1960s. The boundaries of time have been broken. And a scruffy old soul has wandered our way along with the early snowflakes.
I am not too displeased with this image. It is derived from crusty old Downeasters I knew, as they put it, in my “Salad Days”. Sailing around off the coast. Hanging out in the boatyards or doing casual work, they were people I learned much from. The first thing on their agenda was to dress practically and comfortably for the day. Me too.
Of course, that first impression is ruined. As soon as I speak out tumbles a diatribe that’s fifty percent New York City and fifty percent New England Yankee.
Is it the first impression I want to give people? Or is it the I don’t give a hoot Yankee I seem to channel inwardly? Well, in true New York style I point out that what you see is what you get.
So there.
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Retirement gave me that attitude, no more fancy clothes only comfort.
Usually, nobody sees me at my job, so I only need to shape up and square away a few times a week.
I checked out this prompt yesterday and thought about writing to it, then I realized I have no idea. When I was teaching I had an epiphany that fancy clothes (bidness clothes) were an easy uniform solving the “What should I wear?” dilemma every morning and convinced the powers that I was serious. Now? I just don’t want to stand out… 🤣
Well, comfort trumps ( ouch!) appearances most of the time.
🤣
My hair is combed and my teeth are brushed and I am wondering who did that.