Uniforms

A few weeks ago, while doing background work for the film Tower Heist, quite a few of us were caught in the trap of constantly forgetting that the NYPD officers in charge of crowd control were not actually officers in charge of crowd control.  They were actors.  Not only were they extras like ourselves, but admittedly, we were more dependent on them than common sense dictates.  Why would police officers have answers to questions like, “when are we breaking for lunch?”

It was the uniform.  We were subconsciously drawn to it, and we gave them more responsibility. In the spirit of make-believe, they accepted. We do this everyday.

A businessman walks into a board room wearing a business suit because that is universally recognized as professional attire.  Immediately the people around him know that he means business.  It is up to him to continue that impression once the meeting is in session.  Were he to attend in a clown suit, it would be a different type of meeting altogether. 

How we present ourselves to the world, is how we are accepted.  Let’s face it, if you dress like a slob, you will be treated like a slob. Many people subscribe to the belief that “what you see is what you get.” Like those actors, you may be mistaken for something you’re not, and assigned a role you do not wish to play.   

For all of our virtuous insistence about judging what’s inside vs. judging what’s outside, we are constantly judging books by their covers- on the subway, in the grocery store, as we’re walking down the street. We first respond to what we see.

Despite the pressure, be true to yourself. What you put on will not change who you are.  Dressing up like a lion will not make you a lion when you’re really an armadillo at heart. Wearing that tiara to Duane Reade will not make you royalty, no matter how shiny. Trust me on that one. It’s not about designer labels or sewing your paycheck to your bum. But a neat and clean appearance– whatever your personal style, will make a better impression when you present yourself to the world. If you’re an armadillo, be a well groomed armadillo.

Our police friends were acting; playing dress up. We must play dress up everyday.  We wear uniforms to work, and black tie to the opera; sweats to the gym, and jerseys to games. We dress up for occasions, and we dress down for leisure.

No matter what you wear on it, be comfortable in your own skin. That’s the most important uniform of all, because being who you are is the most important role you’ll play.

Cheers!

-Ceddy