Being well-groomed goes beyond simply dressing sharp and having well-tended hair and nails. It also means standing up straight and projecting dignity and confidence.
Act as if Mom Is Watching
A well-groomed person projects confidence in public at all times, which means no fidgeting in your seat, zero tugging at undergarments, no twiddling of thumbs, and, most emphatically, no scratching or ear-picking or using a finger to dislodge bits of food from your teeth.Minimally lesser public offenses include brushing one’s hair, foot-tapping, and noisy nose-blowing. The most effective way to put this rule into action is to simply be mindful to not commit any infraction of etiquette that would warrant a sharp rebuke from Mom.
Mirror Image
Before leaving home, even if you’re running a bit late, slow down and stand in front of a full-length mirror to take a careful look at your outfit. Do your shoes and belt match? Is your jewelry appropriate and not overly attention-getting? For men, the tie must go well with the suit or jacket, while shoes should be perfectly polished and socks not droopy.After considering your clothes, shift your gaze to your hair. It should be clean and shiny, freshly trimmed, and brushed into place. A quick look at your nails should confirm that they’re neatly trimmed and clean.
Shower Fresh
Unpleasant body odor can be caused by one of two things: almost any exertion on a hot, sticky summer day or using too much perfume, body spray, or cologne.The cure for the first is regular bathing. Some people produce more sweat than others, making one bath or shower per day not enough. Anyone tempted to skip the daily routine should use the “what would Mom say” (WWMS) test; if in doubt, into the shower you go.
Using perfume or body sprays to mask odor generally only worsens the situation. Similarly, using too much of a scent can trigger coughing fits in those around you, failing the WWMS test.
Minty Fresh
Attention to unwanted odor must extend to your breath, and on a related note, your teeth. Unpleasant breath can be innocently caused by drinking coffee or be the result of an adventurous lunch choice involving spicy peppers.Happily, the cure is simple; although brushing your teeth isn’t always an option, you can always keep a compact breath spray or tin of mints handy. If in doubt, use them. Check the mirror before leaving for work, meeting for a date, and after eating, looking closely for bits of food or errant spots of sauce around your mouth or face.
Makeup, Don’t Break Up
The rule of thumb for well-groomed women is to apply makeup tastefully, without using too much. Consider the venue: At work, an application so light as to hardly be noticeable is perfect, but for a night out on the town, pull out the eye shadow and your glossiest shades of lipstick.When out dining for business or pleasure, it’s never appropriate to apply lipstick while seated at the table. Even if you’re adept at freshening it without a mirror, doing so in public is unforgivable. The same rule applies to brushing your hair. If you need to freshen up, excuse yourself to attend to these issues in the nearest powder room.
