People and Businesses Aren't Always What They Appear To Be

It happened at The Card Factory in Winchester’s High Street. Everything about it said ‘low price’. So I assumed there would be poor quality staff. How wrong could I be? Both the assistants I dealt with couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful, actually going out of their way to find what I was looking for. However their cards really are cheap!

It’s not that I don’t think appearances count. What I think is wrong is using your appearance to lie about yourself. The equivalent in business is something like the airlines that try to appear to be 'budget' by advertising a £5 fare then adding taxes plus a charge for processing your payment, a charge for your seat reservation and a charge for your luggage, not to mention claiming to fly you to a famous city when you actually land in an airport 50 miles away.

In a similar way, a man may wear a suit for a job interview in order to put across that he’s mature, organised and in control, when the reality of his personality is baggy jeans, odd socks and a T-shirt with a slogan that says, ‘I always arrive late at the office but I make up for it by leaving early.’

It's different when you use clothes to enhance or play down particular features. In fact I’m grateful for this because we sell a lot of jewellery and hats and- since the Royal Wedding- fascinators. As the milliner Philip Treacy said, ‘Hats are a cheaper form of cosmetic surgery.’

I understand why some people use plastic surgery to change their appearance in order to lie about their age. There’s no question that there is prejudice against older people. Personally I think it’s better to embrace who we are. The bags under my eyes are so big a budget airline would probably charge extra for them and I guess I could get them lifted. I might look ten years younger but I'm not interested in impressing someone who is too shallow to accept me as I am.

I have to admit that if I were to change any part of my body, it would be to add an extra couple of inches. I have seen over and over again the advantages gained by men who are bigger than average, both in terms of respect and being able to reach the top shelves.

By the way, you may remember that last week I ranted about my disappointing visit to The Nuffield theatre but said, as a loyal customer, I would return. Well, I did, and sooner than I expected thanks to a Facebook offer. I’m pleased to report that Exterminating Angel was excellent entertainment.

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