to ask if your appearance is deceiving.....

[thelastshadowpuppet]

One of our customers came in last week and as he was waiting for his order we got chatting and it turns out he is an amazing opera singer. Looking at him you'd never think it. Think older gent, builder type.

Over the weekend I was somewhere that had a piano so I sat down and played something. Someone commented and said to me that they weren't surprised I could play the piano as I just looked like someone who could.

Is there something about your appearance that would give something away about you or not.

Not a judgy thread, please don't turn this into a bun fight.

Just a fun thread........hopefully.

😂
Barristers are a heavily stereotyped profession but I didn’t know you could spot their spouses!!!

I wasn’t going to go there but you’ve inspired me. I’m a barrister and it surprises people as I am slight, look young for my age, don’t have a loud voice and generally lack gravitas, at least to the casual observer!

In fact I was once at some Crown Court or other, sat waiting for my client, and some other punter walked past and said to his mate ‘I’m glad she’s not my brief’. That actually hurt a bit, I don’t know why because it was obviously a judgment based entirely on appearance. It obviously tapped into very deep seated stereotypes.

There’s actually a serious issue behind this expectation that barristers are some kind of impervious, super confident, capable breed. There are some serious MH issues going on.

Sorry, I’m rambling now and it’s supposed to be a light hearted thread. As you were.

I'm generally perceived as quite pretty.
I'm not, I'm terribly plain, but I have naturally full lips and really nice eyes.
What I actually am is very very good at subtly done make up which enhances what I have and tricks the observer into thinking I'm attractive rather than just having nice eyes 🤣

I'm usually perceived as younger than I am (not in a glamorous way, more just that people don't expect me to be in charge) I would probably be described as quiet and bookish. I'm also tiny.

I've actually got quite a senior management role in a difficult profession and for a long time I did MMA to deal with the stress. I was the only girl at my gym.

I love makeup, having my hair done and wearing clothes that make me feel good. For some reason, most people who meet me think I’m an air head when actually I have a professional job and am working rewords my doctorate. To be honest, I quite like it that way as most individuals don’t ask me to do things that I deem as a waste of my life minutes as they don’t think I’m able.

I look a bit 'street' but then open my mouth and sound like Joanna Lumley even down to the deep voice😅 Going to throw my fabulous DD into the mix here; She's a bubbly little girl, can a little bit shy, but she's super charming. Always giving people hugs and saying things like "Have a lovely day!" Manyyy people are shocked she's autistic and I like to think she's breaking down the stigma about children on the spectrum with every new person she meets😌

I've lost count of the times people have said to me "of course you must have been to private school".

Just local comprehensive, but have a posh mum!

To be fair, full lips and really nice eyes are probably fairly classic components of a pretty face - unless your nose is at a weird angle like a Picasso or you're covered in scales, you'll probably be considered reasonably attractive with nice lips and eyes!

Aww thank you. I'm not hideous but I'm very very pale so I have big dark circles under my eyes and any spot or blemish is there forever! Also my face is quite round, my nose isn't very nice and I'm rather chubby these days. I definitely need the make up!

I'm loving all of these!

You're a very deceiving bunch indeed 😉

Probably totally outing myself here to anyone who knows me.
I'm short, overweight, 40's, smiley and far too easy going (I'm still learning that "no" is a full sentence.)
I teach self defence and restraint techniques to staff who work with some extremely challenging people. Right up to 5 person floor holds.

I had professional drumming lessons twice weekly for a year about 8 years ago and I am rather good at the Chinese shuffle dance. In my teens I was a backing singer for two notable groups/bands.
Most people just say I look honest and kind, which observation I'm happy with.

Up untill my mid twenties from 15 i was a heroin addict who was in and out of prison.
When someone learns about my past now they don't believe it !! Never judge a book by its cover I say x

5‘ 5“ nearly 60 years old woman. People seem to find it odd that I do karate and used to do kung fu

Wow, good on you @Shannith! 👏👏👏

I got a first class honours degree in law and now work as a Government lawyer age 34. I’m petite, white and blonde. I can do the full rap to most Eminem songs and know all the words to countless other hip hop, rap and R n B songs mostly from the early 2000s 🤣🤣🤣

Maybe it's about the way we speak? People make assumptions our accents, use of vocabulary etc but initially appearance yes.

I ran New York marathon once. At the start area there were two v overweight men dressed up in costumes chain smoking! I remember thinking - 'aw, they r going to find this hard. Probably be walking most of it, but lovely they are doing this costume thing for charity'.

I saw them at the finish! They were incredibly fast (3 hours 30 or less as I remember, which is pretty amazing going for two chain smokers!!)

People surprise you!

(My son's swim.coach looks like the nicest man there is - he's a horrid bully :( so it goes both ways )

I've always wanted to rock up to the Ritz or somewhere in my ripped jeans and be looked down on, only to pull out a wad of cash and order the most expensive thing on the menu and book the penthouse !! (though sadly it will never happen as maxed out overdraft and on average wage'!!)

That would be great, wouldn’t it?

People have a tendency to think I’m younger than I am, which combined with being young when I had my own dc does lead to some interesting conversations!
I’m also totally addicted to crochet, and take it everywhere, and that gets lots of comments as I’m not the typical “little old lady” they associate with that hobby.

I have been told on numerous occasions I dress too casually - which is true. I just don't see the point of heels and full make up on the school run! 😕 I'm not sure what people expect when they come over for a playdate. But every parent comments how surprised they are that I have a big house. Further more it's filled with expensive artworks and people always ask for a tour!!! Truth is I made my money by my early 40's and retired. I live a very simple life...until it comes to buying art!

Loving this thread, I am asked quite often if I’m a police officer. Why do people feel the need to argue with you when you say no?? I’m actually a funeral director, no one has ever guessed my job but I understand why not.

My mum is almost 80, she’s a tiny, grey haired frail lady who…. Plays the drums! She took it up a few years ago. Currently learning some Bryan Adams and Dire Straits 😂

I am a wheelchair user who wears dresses/make up/ heels etc - people are always surprised I’m not paralysed, and I’ve lost count of the number of people who have said “but you don’t look/dress like a lesbian” when they find out I’m gay.

I play drums and listen to melodic death metal. That always surprises people 😂 I also have a first class degree and a very dark sense of humour. But it doesn't seem to match my appearance as I don't out much thought into clothes or makeup. Just wear comfies most of the time and have two kids in tow.