I’m often over-estimated because of my posh middle class
appearance.
People think I must have had a top job in some prestigious
organisation.
Or they think I’m super-wealthy.
Or they think I live in some splendid mansion.
All quite mistaken.
I’ve always done humble jobs like bookselling and admin.
I’m well-off but not wealthy.
I live in a modest detached house.
It’s funny what people assume from my appearance.
I suppose I do the same in reverse.
I get other people quite wrong because of how they look.
I imagine people are poor if they wear very ordinary clothes.
When actually they might be loaded.
Or I imagine they’re narrow-minded if they look rather stern.
Which probably isn’t the case.
Then again there’s mistaken identity.
I was once accosted by a man who was sure I was a well-known
actor.
I didn’t think there was the vaguest resemblance but he was
adamant.
I had to insist several times that I wasn’t this person.
He finally gave in, but I don’t think he really believed me.
I invented an urgent appointment and made my escape.
You would never guess Dave and I live in an upscale community. I wear yoga pants, t-shirt, and hoodie every day and our furniture is from IKEA. Maybe that's why we can afford to live here?
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: That sounds like the opposite of my experience - you're more likely to be underestimated.
DeleteI think we all do that to some extent. We assume a lot from what people look like.
ReplyDeleteMary: I think we make more such assumptions than we realise.
DeleteI too like to live below my means.
ReplyDeleteBack home in Calgary, when I drive somewhere, to a cafe or restaurant, I like to go inside with my backpack. I just like to have my stuff: journal, calendar, book, lumbar support-sweater my laptop for editing, and extra layers. I get cold easily.
I guess people don't know what to think: I could be a tourist, or a very mature student, or a homeless person.
Sean: Yes, judging by your appearance you could be any of those things. But we like to pin people down, don't we?
DeleteWho???? Who were you mistaken for??? Please tell!!!
ReplyDeleteWe all make assumptions, Nick. I think it's partly self defence. And we all make awful mistakes!! I think we all, generally, still trust smartly dressed people, and maybe this is the biggest consistent mistake!
Sx
Ms Scarlet: Who was it? I can't remember, it was a very long time ago. It might have been Robert De Niro. As I say, no resemblance whatever. Do we trust smartly dressed people? I guess we do.
DeleteI have a very ocker aussie accent and it's worse when i get animated. I think it helps people to assume I'm dumber than I am.
ReplyDeleteIf they wanted to pin me as poor they would be right
Kylie: Ocker - rough and uncultivated? What we would probably think of as a working class accent. Or a chav accent - coarse and brash and suggesting low social status. Well, that's not the Kylie I know.
DeleteThanks Nick!
DeleteMy mother tuts at me regularly
This reminds me of the time we checked into a B&B and the owner asked us if we were there for the town's marathon. My husband and I are both thin, but we are not runners by any sense of the word :)
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Maybe she thought you were marathon runners because you looked young and energetic? (Was this recent or some time ago?)
DeleteI suspect that it is part of our human nature to make assumptions, Nick. My husband and I were raised in middle-class families and never knew wealth. Now, that we are retired and have the means to do things, like travel we still consider ourselves as just average folks and don't flaunt anything.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: If only more people would consider themselves just average folks and not put on airs and graces!
Delete