A. Open any self-help book and somewhere inside you will find this saying: ‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression.’ No one can argue that each of us, entering into a new or unfamiliar situation, will be judged first by our appearance before any other factors can be taken. This may be unfair but, is it really?

B. It is true that when we judge others by their appearance we are not being objective. One of the first factors making prejudicial reactions in those we meet is the “uniform” we choose to wear. Make no mistake we all are in uniform each time we go out into the public.

C. If you walk into a supermarket and see a fellow shopper dressed in scrubs, you immediately assume they are in the medical profession. This may or may not be the case as many child care workers also wear scrubs while on duty. If you find yourself having a late evening burger at the local fast food establishment and two young men, dressed in hip-hop fashion, come in and one loiters near the door while the other one approaches the counter you will have a different inner reaction than if the same two men came in dressed preppie casual. While their mode of dress obviously does not speak to their intent, it will cause the viewer to have a definite reaction.

D. We all judge and are judged by appearance. This is true without regard to whether we consider it a positive or a negative feature of human nature. If, in mid December, you see someone dressed as Santa Claus going into a convenience store you don’t immediately assume that he is intent on robbing the place. Further events might prove you wrong but such a suspicion would not be your first reaction.

E. The true importance of appearance in society comes when we begin to realize that we can control the first reactions to our appearance simply by controlling the way we look. It all comes down to the “uniforms.” The word itself simply means “one form.” Uniforms are adopted by groups of people who, for one reason or another, feel the need to adopt a group identity. Police officers, members of the military, sports team are but a few examples of regulated uniforms. These are required when the group identity must be closely regulated. There are also unregulated uniforms. To cite just a few, bikers, hip-hop aficionados, street gangs, Wall Street brokers, construction workers. These all employ modes of dress, uniforms if you will, that allow them to blend in with their particular subset of the population.

F. The wearing of regulated uniforms (and some unregulated) is a closely guarded privilege. Wear a police uniform while not being a peace officer and you are a subject to arrest, wear the Hell’s Angels “colors” while not being a member of that particular motorcycle club and you are subject to being seriously injured. For the most part, and aside from the examples cited, we are free to choose the “uniform” we wear and thereby are able to influence the all important first impression.

G. It is useless to cry about the fact that we are going to be judged on appearance. If we care about how we are to be perceived, the only control we have is to make a realistic assessment of which “uniform” is appropriate for the contact to be made and dress accordingly. Bear in mind, though, that having the correct appearance will only prevent the door from being slammed in your face before you have the opportunity to state your case. Appearance is important but it will always be just the first step.