Do The Clothes Really Make The Man? (page 3)

ninja

do the clothes really make the man...????....not if hes a transvestite.......muhahahaha

MadTiger

Appearance shouldn't matter, but it does.

My opinion on this one is that if you look different than others you will attract attention. People who don't know you will makes judgements based on how you look cuz they have no other info on you. Judging is something we all do because we have to make decisions on what we see initially, and decide if this is something we want in our own social circles.

In that sense clothes don't make the man, but they do make the first impressions. What kind of people will this attract or detract from your life? Those are judements that you have to make in what you like in a person. I don't doubt Ritchie Rich has met many interesting and good people even with his outlandish styles. What counts is how he treats them when he meets them.

Different isn't always bad. Look at Ghandi. He was a renowned Brittish lawyer and a great leader in his country. He dressed like he was wearing a bed sheet and just wandered in from milking goats. He is remembered for his greatness. If he really had nothing to say his clothes would have made him appear as a fool.

It can also be said that employers may look down upon non conformity as do the witnesses when it comes to dress. Let me tell you though. I don't think a company cares too much about a very talented programmer or engineer that has long hair and looks like a geek. They care about his performance.

Keep in mind too, some of the worst scum on the earth wear suits and ties. They present an image of purity and justice but are snakes and evil. One must look past the attire and see what is really there.

Imagine if the way people really are, is the way there images were presented. Saddam Hussein would look like the devil and Ghandi would look like he was wearing the radiant garments of a king.

Jringe01

Do The Clothes Really Make The Man?

No, they represent him.

Darth Vader.

sweetstuff

It's a personal thing, if some people judge by clothes or looks, then you have to ask yourself, are these people you aspire to and wish to make a good impression with, or do you dress for yourself, comfortable in your own skin per say. I kinda like a man with a bit of scruff (Keith Urban, yumdang, he looks good with his scruff and tight jeans) about him, not too pretty boy looking. But I do require, he is clean and smells GREAT!

Leolaia

Tyrone....Gandhi is a great example, especially because he was making a philosophical and social statement through his clothing (which he made himself). He recognized that clothing oneself is a social practice and one that has different semiotic effects.

Upon returning to India from South Africa, where he had enjoyed a successful legal practice, he gave up wearing Western-style clothing, which he associated with wealth and success. He dressed to be accepted by the poorest person in India, advocating the use of homespun cloth (khadi). Gandhi and his followers adopted the practice of weaving their own clothes from thread they themselves spun, and encouraged others to do so. While Indian workers were often idle due to unemployment, they had often bought their clothing from industrial manufacturers owned by British interests. It was Gandhi's view that if Indians made their own clothes, it would deal an economic blow to the British establishment in India. Consequently, the spinning wheel was later incorporated into the flag of the Indian National Congress. He subsequently wore a dhoti for the rest of his life to express the simplicity of his life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi

It is interesting that he gave careful thought to the message his clothing communicates and how it fits within his own worldview. His perspective is also similar to the one in the Bible, expressed by Jesus.

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:28-33).

"John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey....As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet' (Matthew 3:4, 11:7-9).

In contrast, how much does the Society worry about what clothes JWs wear? How many rules are there on wearing one's "Sunday best" throughout the week in "field service" and "meetings", or on wearing casual clothes after conventions? How many are required to purchase expensive formal clothes for congregational reasons?