“I’m going to change when I get to the LAX airport”.
A friend of mine was recently flying from Australia to Los Angeles. He planned to wear a pair of jeans on the first flight and then change for his connecting flight within the States.
“I always get treated better when I’m dressed up. You’re much more likely to get upgraded”.
(Side note: Why my friend would rather get upgraded for the two hour Stateside flight and not the 14 hour transpacific flight is still a mystery to me).
Me? I’m a vagabond when I fly. But, then again, I travel with three young kids so I’d be happy if people just didn’t give us nasty looks. I’d feel quite content if for once we were not on the very last row of the airplane. I don’t expect anyone is going to invite the Ford Five to flaunt their stuff in First Class.
But, I do agree that airlines treat people better based on how they are dressed.
And the airlines are not the only people who treat you better based on your outfit.
“Even when I go to buy something from the mall I get dressed up. They always give me a better deal”.
Now this was a new one to me – getting better treatment and even discounts while shopping just because you dressed up. Since I’m a negotiaphobic and have only one negotiating skill I wouldn’t really know. Has anyone had any experiences with this?
It seems to make complete sense. Once again, I usually mosey down to the mall in my off work casual gear. Do you think I’d save money if I just stayed dressed up for the shopping trip?
I know people suggest you dress nicely when you go to the bank for a loan, when you buy a new car, and when you go for a job interview. Why would shopping be any different?
I have even read about a man who traveled from church to church in different outfits. On the first occasion, he showed up in a suit and was warmly welcomed. On the next occasion, he arrived unshaved and dressed in drab clothes. He said when he dressed down he was often not even greeted. There was certainly never a warm welcome.
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4 NIV)
It seems as though even the church might have issues with judging a book by its cover.
Conclusion: How you dress makes a huge difference on how you are treated.
Look, if you want to make a statement and buck the system – go for it. Just realize that your ‘statement’ is going to cost you.
I guess my friend was right. How you dress makes a huge difference on how you are treated.
Nevertheless, let me be perfectly clear that nice clothes do not equal expensive clothes. I buy second hand clothes (here is my humorous story on how I got started second hand shopping). I buy nice clothes (usually). The two are not mutually exclusive. Just remember there are many advantages to shopping second hand.
Next time you head to the mall, perhaps Dockers would be more appropriate than Levis. Next time you fly you might need some slacks instead of sweats. The result? You’ll probably save some serious cash.
My brother and some friends did an experiment in school, regarding dressing like a typical grunge teenager (it was in the 1990s) and dressing up. They got treated a lot better by dressing up–unsurprisingly, really, because most people would rather deal with a respectful young adult than a sullen teenager.
(I’d like to know more about the church study. By drab clothes, were they still neat, or were they just tossed on carelessly? Because if they were tossed on carelessly, the parishoners of the church may have assumed he had no respect for the church, and therefore wouldn’t be coming back again. Someone who takes the time to show respect by dressing neatly should be shown the respect. All should be greeted with love, in a true Christian spirit, but human nature sometimes gets in our way.)
This is probably more true than I care to admit. It seems like these days there would be less of this going as more people try to make statements and be individualistic.
Good point about nice clothes not having to be expensive.
Jason @ RedeemingRiches´s last post ..What is True Wealth?
It is true. I used to waitress – during my punk rock stage I my few faves but most ppl would rather not have me tend there table (equals lower cash flow). When I grew up (lol), I am liked by all (and made more that way, too).
And second hand stores, you can find some nice stuff if you take the time to look. My mother is always amazed at what I can find.
Christine @ Money Funk´s last post ..Tales of a Travelling Mum
I agree that in some cases this is true, such as when you go to a nice restaurant, or are at the airport.
On the other hand, if you are dressed like Richie Rich and go into a small town, you may not get the service you may think you deserve (I have experienced this first hand). Just like everything else in life, you need to know and play to your audience.
Jesse´s last post ..Top 14 Personal Finance Tools
True, True, and True. I have negotiated down on a washer and dryer by approaching the manager wearing nice clothes and a smile. I touch his arm, joke w/him, then see if he’ll come down in price. This has happened over and over and over again. I do believe it makes a true difference. nice post!
Shawna
This made me think of a post that argues exactly the opposite – that dressing up makes people think you are rich and makes them less likely to negotiate. Check out this post by Dr. Thomas Sanley, who has been researching spending habits of the rich for over 30 years. His “Millionaire Next Door” book is probably my favorite in the area of personal finance and living frugally.
http://www.thomasjstanley.com/2009/10/costumes-not-just-for-halloween/
I’m sure different situations call for different “costumes”, and even different stores or contractors could be influenced differently, but I thought it would be interesting to read this opposite viewpoint.
My father-in-law likes to do this regularly just to taunt the sales people. He puts on work clothes and will walk into a jewelry story or any other expensive retail joint, and start walking around and looking at things. Most of the time, he’s not greeted at all, or if he is–he’s treated like the scum of the earth who can’t possible buy a thing.
What’s fun to watch is the face of the clerk when he tells them which piece of jewelry he’d like to buy, no questions asked.
I had a similar experience too, when my wife and I were walking around a bathroom store (BBB, or one of the other ones) and walked into the crystal section. We were wearing weekend clothes (shorts and tees).
The lady behind the counter said something like “Oh, won’t it be nice once you can afford these?” It took me about 5 seconds to take in what she said, and thankfully I was already out of the area or I would have said something I probably would have regretted.
Wojciech Kulicki´s last post ..How to Stay Frugal and Focused in a Recovery
I disagree on some points (the airline and church part I agree with). For other purchases I go for the casual scattered look, jeans, brown sneakers or hiking shoes, and a untucked polo shirt; I buzz my hair leave a 5 o’clock shadow. I’ve found when I dress this way seller assumes I won’t negotiate / won’t know better when they try to rip you off. I get them to assume the easy sale then I turn the game around and seize control. While the scramble to save face and the sale I work a price. It’s not negotiation, I simple remind them that Consumer Reports said this was a problem with that product and Kiplinger didn’t care for it. If they don’t bite I hand them my card which says I’m the CFO of a company (It’s a side business, but they don’t know that) and ask them to call when they can give the price I need.
When I went to buy a car, I dressed as usual left my wallet in the car so I would need to get it before a test drive. When I went to get my wallet I walked back to the sales rep reading Kiplinger and holding Consumer Reports the poor guy was taken off guard (I’d led him to believe I new nothing). I simple stated, I’ll take the car for $12,000 without a test drive and that I was in a hurry to pick my wife up for dinner. He closed the deal and I got a good deal.
I did the same with my re-finance, I kept insisting my wife took care of the original mortgage, I had to keep calling her with questions (how much is insurance, how much do I make, how much does she make), the lender thought I was an idiot. I let her get most of the paperwork done, then I announced I would need a better rate than she was offering her rate would only save me $110 a month I needed to save 160 which meant I needed 1/8% lower then the rate she was peddling. I didn’t get it but I got my closing costs wiped away.
I think there is definitely some truth to it. One of my professors in college used to frequently dress up for the friday class, because he would leave on weekend trips after class. He said he dressed up in case he got pulled over for speeding- and said it was easier to talk his way out of a ticket if he dressed nicely! Apparently, he had a lead foot and based on his experiences, it worked.
When it comes to air travel, I’d rather be comfortable in my clothes than sitting in first class, especially on a long flight. I’ll gladly give up an opportunity for a seat in first class in exchange for a pair of well worn bluejeans.
The possibility of getting a better deal in a store because you’re dressed better might have to do with the fact that the wearer looks and feels more confident about his-/her-self, and might feel more compelled to ask for better. Or it could be that the store is prepared to give a discount as an incentive to keep an apparent clothes horse coming back for more ;-)
That church situation is disappointing, but I’ve heard it many times. It’s a poor statement on the Church, where ever it happens.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”–Heb 13:2
Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last post ..Ten Common Sense Ways to Reduce Our Identity Footprint
LOL, I learned this phenomenon early on in adulthood.
I generally look like a vagabond. But when I need customer service to treat me well -I always dress nice.
When returning something, especially without a receipt, dressing nice makes my success rate go way, way up!
@Everyone. Thanks for your comments. Sorry I didn’t get back sooner. I can’t reply to everyone, but just wanted to say thanks for leaving a comment.
@thisisbeth
As for the church study the guy dressed up in a suit one week and dressed as a homeless person the next. He wrote a book about his experiences. If I could think of the title I’d tell you, but I’m getting too old to remember.
@Chistine
If I ever end up working at a restaurant I’ll be sure to dress up. Thanks for the tip.
@Shawna
Hate to say this, but I think as a male if I tried touching the salesman’s arm it might not have the same affect.
@wojciech
There was a guy who was a rich farmer in our town. He went to buy a Corvette in cash. Since he had on overalls they wouldn’t even let him test drive the car. He went to another dealership and bought the car. Of course he stopped at the first place to let them see his new purchase.
@Meipe
Ahh. The good old fashion sneak attack. Smart.
@Kevin
Seriously? Blue jeans instead of first class. Give me a tux and Id wear it to go first class. Ha! I guess God made us all a little different.
I was a weird dresser in college: one day I’d be casual and the next I’d be dressed up. Don’t know why I did it, but I could feel the different treatment from other people.
More interestingly: I felt different inside. Less reserved, more apt to strike up a conversation with a stranger, etc. So there’s definitely something to this.