In her best heels and bright red lipstick she cleared her throat, which took significantly longer than anticipated - she made a mental note to cut down by at least 2 cigarettes a day from next week..or the week after...

Ladies and gentlemen I come with a simple question - one that I take a great interest in however I realise this may not be shared by all. A lot has been said in the streets recently of the words and tone that people use when choosing to speak publically - I wonder how much of an impression you also take from the way people here physically present themselves?

If they know they have something important to say should they wear a decent suit? Should they wander here to speak wearing nothing but a blanket to cover their modesty? Should the badges they choose to wear displaying things of this world but equally often things not of this world worn bold and proud affect our overall perception on the delivery of speeches and impression as a whole of the words and the presentation of each person that comes out here to speak?

As an aside from this in terms of perceptions - I was lucky enough to have my suit assessed by the lovely Kate Logan on her first edition of the Logan review - just so happens we as a crew had chosen a HQ dress down day that day with a theme!! It took me a long long time for the jokes in the HQ to pass on that one - here clearly my suit had made an impression, not the one I would of hoped for really but being able to laugh along with the crew about it was great for moral.

In summary are the words and the way we present ourselves here in the streets equally important?

HIIIII MOMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY

HighPitchEric's high-pitch squeal pierces the air, his big dumb bottom lip hangs low as he approaches Tellurium, his body ripe with odor.

TAKING PRIDE IN OUR SUITS IS A TRAIT THAT HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION IN MY FAMILY TREE.  OTHERS CHOOSE TO DRESS CASUALLY, NON-DESCRIPT.  EITHER IS FINE, I GUESS IT COMES DOWN TO PERSONAL PREFERENCE.  FOR ME, I FEEL IT GIVES AN INSIGHT INTO ONE'S PERSONALITY. 

I FEEL MY SUIT TELLS PEOPLE A LOT ABOUT MYSELF.  WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT ME AND HOW I AM DRESSED, THEY AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME I AM A GUY WHO PROBABLY HAS SEX WITH A LOT OF WOMEN.  WHETHER I ACTUALLY DO OR NOT IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS, AND I WOULD NEVER TELL ANYWAY (OMERTA)

HighPitchEric gives Tellurium a friendly smile, his brown and puffy gums bleeding as he grins.

Mikhail noticed one of his best customers, HighPitchEric, give his opinion on suits. Don Tellurium dressed sharp in her heels, and her red lipstick. Mikhail near it didn't matter what a person wore to address the masses. The message and sometimes actions even, were what really mattered.

"To echo comrade Falcon, people always tend to listen to people who give a great opinion or message, no matter what they look like. 

Mikhail turns and looks at his friend Eric.

"You know when I look at you I assume you don't have any sex with anybody, but oddly enough, you always have yourself surrounded with women. So I'm fooled, comrade. And I'd do the same thing too. Keep it all to yourself, and those lady folk!"

"From someone who has lived both sides of the razors edge when it comes to looking like I'm a part of this world, your attire speaks for you before your words do. Dale Carnegie will tell you how words carry little weight, as it's more the body language that speaks. Also, your first impression happens before any words are spoken."

I find it really interesting to hear the different points of view on this - from it being really ok to make a speech in your underwear through to actually how you look and your body language is as important as the words you say.

For my part whilst it isn't a huge thing I agree with Axel on this - I was raised and my ancestors I read were also raised to both speak and look your best - first impressions count and you can't replay them once done...people see you first, then then hear you and they also hear how the 2 of those things fit together. I agree don't get me wrong solid well balanced words from anyone in a blanket will be decently received. For my part it is a matter of pride too...what could be so urgent here that I would need to run onto the streets to talk in my underwear for? Heaven knows I do that enough back at the HQ! Homemade suits even if not the tidiest show effort and self respect in the community.

I also see people speaking with so many badges and tags adorned on them that listening to all that they have to say can be challenging sometimes too - I love seeing people wearing a badge that depicts something they feel passionate about - I feel as has been mentioned here it defines your character and personality and can really add that 3rd dimension to already great words - or it can be distracting.

I'd love to hear others views on this!

Personally I believe it's what the person is saying that matters. You can look as good as a model and wear the finest clothes and the best looking accessories, but if everything that you say is good for nothing then what does all that good looking do? But if you take into account what they say over how they look, that's like looking into a person and not just at the person. A fool that is good looking is still a fool at the end of the day. But their are many wise men who look the part of the fool whether by choice or some other reason.

After all their are reasons why they come up with sayings like. "Wolves in sheep's clothing" and "Looks can be deceiving." I prefer to weigh what the people say and do over how they look as I believe you can miss out on getting to know and hear from a lot of good or good minded people if you judge them on first glance. But that's just my personal opinion

I believe a person's appearance is the stage. The speech is what happens on the stage. Both are integral parts of a good show, so to speak. So to me how we dress gives off the impression of who we are. How we speak, confirms that impression or forces us to re-evaluate our impression of an individual. As others have said, wise man are not always the richest, therefore can not always afford the best of clothes. However they do put forth the effort to look respectable within their means.

Striphe looked around at the people in their suits while they spewed words out of their mouth. The air was cold so when people spoke you could see the vapor floating into the air. Striphe lit a cigar and took a deep breath as he exhaled the smoke into the face of a young thug

Everything we do represents our family, city and how we should be seen in this world and sometimes first impressions can be the most important and only time we ever meet. From our suits to our worlds you are judged. I mean take my swimming pools for example, I have them in a few photos and now the ladies from all around the world want to come and have a pool party...anyways my troubles I guess. I typically wear a fine suit while conducting business as I try to be a role model to the younger generation.

He walked over to his swimming pool and poured in a bucket of chlorine and threw in a little ducky thermostat

I don't think the outfit makes the man or women. There are some homeless civilians that make more sense and are more intelligent then those who hold high positions in their 9 to 5 job. If you have the intelligence to make a speech, and immerse the crowd you are speaking to... then I say go for it. To me it wouldn't matter what the person was wearing, as long as what they were saying was making sense.

I believe that intelligence comes from all walks of life, and would be judged based on there knowledge... not their wallet.

Tellurium,

A great question. Personally, I believe your appearance does matter. For example, I've made a decision to not recruit someone because the way they present themselves to the world made me question their judgment- although it's important to note the old adage that one should not judge a book by its cover. In my opinion, the truth lies both in the cover and the content of the book. 

We all evaluate people based on their appearance every single day. A man wearing a dishrag around his neck is insane. Another man wearing a tie signifies status and importance. Due a difference in the type of cloth. Nevertheless, this is the way our society works. 

However, acknowledging the importance of appearance does not mean that that is the entire story. A man dressed like a fool who speaks insightful truth should be praised, not jeered. Ultimately, I believe it is our words and deeds that define us far more than our appearance. 

I... have apologized about the whole suit thing. You had the misfortune of ill timing on that one. 

In summary, if I had to choose between substance and style then substance is far, far more important. But if you could have both.... why not take it?

StripheGotti - I only asked for a pool party invitation one time, you'll recall. Let me know if your answer changes.

Disorder listens to Tellurium start the interesting discussion and to the various contributions thereafter. When the others were finished, he decided to chime in.

"Its actually quite a good discussion, this. Something that we all pay attention to but maybe don't analyze that much. I'm sure most people have strong opinions about other's clothes. I know I do. I've severely pre-judged people about it too! Thankfully, I've had the presence of mind not to condemn people on the basis of their clothes and give them a fair shot. I know, I've said a few people needed shooting for simply donning  such stupid attire but I've rarely meant it."

Rolling his eyes he chuckles at some examples that spring to mind.

"I remember a series of mobsters many, many years ago that all adopted suits made by one man with extraordinarily limited skill. So crude and infantile were these designs that they became a point of comedy gold and quite desirable, in their way. Some brilliant people wearing them helped increase the mystique no end. Fortunate for the tailor that the joke was so closed, anyone else attempting such atrocious paint exploits was shot down as a weak imitation. The worst suits in the land became the height of fashion. I loved those.

A much more recent trend is the one of having coat tails about forty feet long and covered in every vomit inducing font and colour imaginable. Endless lyrics, messages and symbols that no more than two in every thousand people, give the slightest shit about. I've seen a lot of this self-indulgent twaddle and it's taken all my composure not to assault the ostentatious cretins on sight. But, like with Bilbo, mercy stayed my hand and I ventured into conversation with them. Occasionally my first impression was confirmed as entirely accurate, but a few times I've been taken aback by them being really good people."

Curtis winks at Camilla as she passes dragging her ridiculous twenty eight foot coat tails behind her.

"I can think of a lot of other examples but the point is, things are rarely black and white. First impressions do count. I've wanted to meet and avoid people purely on the basis of their appearance. But I've also been wrong for the same reasons. I think I'd echo what sensible people here have stated; Some may be young and foolish, with bad taste in fashion but a great future ahead, others may simply be foolish with no hope at all. You just have to give people a chance, regardless of their appearance."

Isabella stops to listen to Don Telluriam. When it appeared others were done speaking, she spit her gum into the waste basket before speaking on this interesting topic.

There was a period of time on these shore I sat back and wondered if I should of arrived by horse or a spaceship instead of my private jet. What I have come to realize and accept is everyone is their own person and I had to respect their choice of how they wanted to live their life's fantasy.  And how they wish to depict themselves on any given day is their rightful choice.

As I reflect on my kin who have walked these shores, I recall a time where I joined the "theme" of my family.  I remember not knowing a damn thing about one family's theme so I dressed how I wished and they respected my choice. 

Isabella pops another stick of gum in her mouth after wishing all a good day.

Tellurium this is a question I have never even thought about so I definitely want to commend you on bringing this up.

In my opinion your words hold more weight. You can't undo your words. You can attempt to apologize for anything you have said or the way things were received but at the end of it all people will remember your words and how you speak to others or for others. 

It is my believe that The style of ones dress only chooses to convey how others want to be perceived. If I look really seductive people will want to seek me out more, if I look intimidating then no one will pick my pockets, if I have a humorous suit perhaps others will remember why their bloodline first came here, to this life. Whatever the case the suit one wears can be regularly changed. Today you like a blue dress tomorrow you may like sweatpants.

as for me I try to convey myself according to who I am outside of the suit as best as possible. My words are to be as intentional as possible. I participate in discussions and even will stand up for my friends or the little guy if I feel they are being heckled. My suit is to be a raw image of who BrotherHec really is. I desire to show the world who the man is not behind the mask but without.

words are my favorite. Words are etched into the stones of time forever to be remembered and reflected upon. If suits make the man it is then words that take him places.