Having read the recent threads on Utopia, and Tom's piece of writing about an experience at a hairdressers, I can see that many people seem to have an issue with their self image,
I do not like mirrors, and have moved the ones in mine and my partners bedroom onto walls where its not easy to see them (Much to her annoyance). I see a lot of other people with similar issues with mirrors.
One of my traits that I have had pointed out is my apparent lack of fashion sense. Its not so much of a lack, but a missing part of my whole life view. I seem to have very little sense of my outward projection for other people. I can go out to work with scruffy hair and creased shirts without knowing or realising. I do appreciate that I work in an office and sometimes see customers and management, but I almost always require my partner making my hair look acceptable etc.
A good example of how far this goes happened 2 years ago. My work do a lot of community work, and we were recognized with a nomination in the countie's business awards. It was a dinner jacket / formal occasion, and as I had done quite a lot towards a specifc project I was invited to go. I was not sure whether to go but my partner said I should as I deserved to. My manager said I would need to hire a formal dinner suit, and said I should get fitted out.
I went to a suit hire shop with my manager (who took a photo of what sort of thing I needed). A very nice lady started asking me questions ad speaking to me about my clothes. After around 5 minutes she stopped speaking to me and instead spoke to my manager. I had been demoted to a human manakin, as it had become apparant that my knowledge on clothes was woefully inadequate. After 25 minutes I was looking very dapper (I admit I didnt think I could look that smart).
The event went really well, and everyone there from my work were amazed I turn out so well. I felt very uncomfortable, and well out of my comfort zone, but I also felt like I had earned the right to be there. My wardrobe is very designer low, and if 'George' by Asda doesn't count then its designer free. I own 3 pairs of shoes - 1 pair of trainers for all the time, 1 smart black pair that sit under my desk at work and 1 pair of steel toecaps, also at work for visiting specific places that require them.
Does anyone else have issues like this with self image? It is one of the easiest ways people spot I opperate differently to them, as it affects first impressions, social interaction and manages to differentiate me before I even open my mouth.