One’s eyes are what one is, one’s mouth is what one becomes.
– John Galsworthy
This time, my writing experience diverged from the usual. Instead of sitting on my favorite couch at home, I found myself in a beautiful country that inspires me in countless ways. Although it was a brief trip, its impact on my life has been profound. One of these impacts was a late-night conversation with two people I had known for just two days.
During our conversation in this enchanting city, one of them graciously complimented my modest and well-chosen attire. This simple remark certainly made my day and underscored the significance of visual image.
What we wear often forms the assumptions about who we are as individuals. Whether we like it or not, all of us find ourselves judging people and being judged based on how we look. While these initial judgments don’t always accurately reveal one’s personality, they significantly influence how others perceive us.
I used to argue that authenticity alone sufficed, but I’ve come to appreciate the importance of dressing appropriately for different contexts. A good visual image need not compromise authenticity; rather, it should align with the situation.
Remember those days when we meticulously applied makeup, styled our hair, and donned our best dresses for outings with girlfriends? Effort was invested in looking well-presented, even for mothers. Recently, I encountered a mum of two in a fast-food restaurant. She dressed well, donning a beautiful dress while handling her two young children.
I complimented her on the way she dressed, and her response surprised me. She explained that she chooses to put in a little effort in her dressing because she believes she needs to set an example for her children. She admitted that when she dresses well — not even trying to be a fashionista, but simply being well-presented — it somehow influences the way she thinks, carries herself, and, of course, how people perceive her.
So, here you go — who says you can’t dress well when you have kids? As a mum with one kid, I personally feel the same way. Somehow, the clothing we put on has that magical touch that can boost our self-confidence and, at times, brighten our mood for the day, provided we dress authentically.
And that visual image is just one aspect. Today, we live in a world where people primarily focus on visual appearance, and honestly, achieving a good visual image is within reach for all of us. It is easy for us to put on a jacket for a business meeting, style our hair before attending a wedding dinner, or apply light makeup when heading out to a gathering.
However, I believe that besides visual image, there’s something more important that people should look at, which unfortunately is rarely talked about: the vocal image — the impression people form from the moment you open your mouth and speak.
Imagine this: you can dress well in a situation, but if you can’t speak or communicate effectively, that first impression will go downhill. The unfortunate truth is that in today’s world, many neglect the importance of vocal image. They rarely spend time and effort on their vocal image — how they sound and communicate. They focus solely on appearance.
So, my dear readers, let’s not focus on appearance alone but also pay attention to how we sound and communicate. Strive to speak well. When you combine these two aspects, people start to form assumptions and beliefs about who you are as a person, shaping the first impression they have of you.
Hence, if you want to create the best first impression, remember to put effort into both visual and vocal aspects. Good luck!
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
