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.

We were staying in a coastal holiday cottage, imaginatively named Coastguards Cottage. I had an issue with my car so called out the AA, when he arrived we had just got back from a walk and I was still wearing my ancient yellow rubber Coat from the Army and Navy and my wellies. We made the AA mechanic a cup of tea and got chatting. “ So are you on duty all weekend, must be busy on a bank holiday” he asked.

I am five foot two, and past the first flush of youth, your heart would sink if you thought I was all that was going to save you from a watery grave……….

How horrific. I read Kampusch's biography and couldn't get her out of my head for weeks after that. I wish I could find adequate words other than the obligatory 'I'm so sorry'. But they are genuine and heartfelt, and come with the true goodwill of an internet stranger

I have this, except I get labelled as “very short”. I’m 5’4” which, while not tall, is pretty average for a woman I think?

When I worked in a nmw position I was patronised by many clients, who assumed that I was poorly educated and grateful for the money.
I am postgrad qualified and live in a high income household. It didn’t occur to them that I was doing that job from choice, and from a place of privilege in being able to choose to do so.

Yep, I'm also 5'4 and considered short. I think it's slightly below average for my generation (millennial) but surely not tiny?

Can you explain this a bit more?
I was told by one person it was because I’m a readhead 😂

Fascinating thread. Apparently I look like a non-smoking vegetarian (both untrue, although I don’t eat much meat). However no one is ever surprised that I do ballet (as a hobby) because apparently I look like I would 😯not sure how!

I am sure you are a super recogniser but I suspect that you don't pick up every veggie who you see and unless you check, you won't know if the people who you recognise as veggies actually are......

likely your posture?

People assume I'm stuck up and that's fine. Anyone who knows me knows I'm not, I'm just me 😁

I think the average is 5’6” so we’re not far off!

Here’s to all the misrepresented mid-height women!

😂😂😂

I get this from strangers and friends of friends sometimes. I come off as confident, especially at work where I can hide behind my uniform, but I’m actually painfully socially awkward and anxious in social settings where I don’t know the majority of people.

being told I come off as stuck up at first, even though it’s meant as a compliment (telling me that I’m not) does absolutely nothing to help 😩

At school many years ago I was told “You’re lucky, because you’re clever but you don’t look it”

Namechanged for this as possibly a bit outing.

I'm blonde, 'well spoken' and dress in quite a feminine way. People often make the assumption that I'm from a very posh background and probably concern myself with little other than fashion and girlie stuff.

Whilst there was a degree of privilege in my upbringing, I'm from a family with lots of issues - think criminal activity and mental illness etc. When people get to know me, they're often surprised that I'm not some totally entitled, clueless aristo! 😂

oh, and people often assume that I'm very slim but I just know how to dress for my shape...a good dress is brilliant for hiding a whopping arse and huge thighs!

Now I look like a middle aged mother , so people are surprised about my ability to drink alcohol, swear, and lift heavy weights

Obviously

Because on Mumsnet all men and dads are disgusting, useless creeps or perverts.

I name changed in a hurry. I have to name change often as when I state I am a male ( and in most threads , such as this one, it's irrelevant) I get abuse just for not being a ' mum'.

I'm so glad I started this thread.

I find it fascinating what we think of others by just looking at them.

My ex husband was a suited and booted well spoken Architect who beat the living daylights out of my for 15 years.

He has a conviction for domestic violence. What he did to me made the paper and it was a topic of conversation on a very popular BBC Radio show.

You'd never, ever think he was an animal by just looking at him.

Oh please let's not derail the thread because of a user name.

My user name suggests I'm a puppet and I'm nothing like one 😉

I'm an overweight, grey haired frumpy 50 something woman.
People are always amazed when they find out I do professional firework displays.