Know Your Man: Physical Appearance

"The good thing about being a man: You don't give aThere are many books on the subject, or, perhaps,
rat's ass if no-one notices your new haircut. Gray hairthere should be a course in college: "Appearance 101:
and wrinkles add character." ~ AnonThe first time AlexHow to look good," where they would learn about
and I went to Rod, our new hairdresser, I followedcolors, styles, etc. My biggest pet peeve about
Alex to the chair and started giving my opinion on howmen"too many of them to ignore" is the eternal cap
his hair should be cut. Rod immediately cut me offthey insist upon wearing, that is so unbecoming and
saying: it is his hair, how about the two of us decideprevent us from looking them in the eyes.Speaking of
what looks good according to his wants?Of course, hecap, in all my classes, I used asked my students to
was very diplomatic as not to offend me, but Iremove their hats so I could see their eyes. Some of
immediately caught the clue and asked him about thisthem resented that, but they all complied. One student
very topic. I told Rod I was writing this book andwas very resistant but seeing that it was a good
needed to know more about this subject. He told memove to obey me, he did so. His hair looked unraveled,
that he feels sorry for the guys who come in with theirof course; his appearance was not that impressive
girlfriends and they insist that their men have a certaineither: he was overweight and sloppily dressed. Well,
hair cut. Men being the pleasing types they are,next class, I noticed that his hair was different. He had
immediately comply.I then kept thinking about dresscut it. Then, slowly, I noticed a significant change in his
style and so on and what I have imposed my taste onappearance. By the end of the 15 week semester, he
my partners. It is so very true that not only I, but manyhad lost 30lb, had bought new clothes, looked
of us, make our men have the appearance we wantabsolutely stunning, and found a nice girlfriend. Not to
them to. For instance, I like mustaches. Well, all my menmention that he got and "A" in the course. Now, is this
had a mustache when we were together. To mya good story or what? And just because I insisted he
husbands, I would buy them clothes I liked. It wasremoved his hat in class. He was absolutely grateful
always a matter of "educating" them to what lookedand thrilled. And so was I.I am now teaching my son
good on them, regardless of what they thought wouldthat first impressions count tremendously and that he
look good on them.I had a friend who was the nicestshall always strive to look his best: hair, clothes, shoes,
looking man in the city where we lived (to my taste, ofteeth, ears, grooming, etc. Yet, it seems that there is
course). He used to wear dress pants, nice shoes,another faulty gene here (or is it in every man?) for
great shirts, suspenders, and a bow-tie. A bow-tie!many times he is totally inappropriate: the other day, he
That was incredibly charming. He told me that he waswanted to go to the opera wearing clothes that were
not always like that and that his girlfriend had taught100% uncoordinated and tennis shoes! Gasp! Of
him how to dress. Way to go, woman!Granted, mostcourse, I had him change but not without a little
men have no clue how to dress appropriately. Theyapprehension about my limiting his self expression.Now,
truly need help. I wonder why their mothers neverthis said and done, we must understand that, ultimately,
taught them that, or perhaps, they never learned.the way a man dresses needs to be entirely up to him.