And you don’t find a striking difference in the appearance of the men and most of the women in these photos?

B’shalom,

Jeff

Interesting. How is showing an inch of belly skin different from showing five inches of chest skin?

B’shalom,

Jeff

The Hill (a semi-daily publication about activities in and around the federal government) annually publishes an article called “The 50 Most Beautiful People on the Hill”.

I thought a link to this article would help to more fully show what working political DC types of various ages are wearing to the office.
http://tinyurl.com/69rj25

(and yes, you will find our own esteemed Democratic U.S. Senator in this list.)

Why would any professional want to portray herself in any other way than a competent, intelligent professional? Because attributes in addition to competence and intelligence are relevant to how one is assessed.

What attributes am I talking about? Attributes such as values, openness and attractiveness, which can be reflected in one’s dress and grooming.

With respect to the last attribute, I would suggest that being attractive (but not provocative) can be compatible with being viewed as competent, intelligent, and professional. We might agree that attractiveness shouldn’t affect anyone’s success, but it does, whether we like it or not.

Take a look at these two pictures of doctors.

A and B

I see that it’s already been noted that B is an actress in a fictional hospital. Anyway, would showing that much cleavage be appropriate in a real medical setting? Probably not. But I don’t think that picture is comparable to the photo that started this whole discussion.

If faced with a choice between A and B and the certain knowledge that each is equally qualified to perform your surgery, which would you choose?

For the sake of argument, let’s assume Jocelyn Elder (a pediatrician) and Lisa Edelstein (the actress) are actually surgeons. Under the assumption that both are equally qualified, in making a choice I’d probably rely on third-party opinions, the surgeons’ schedules/fees/hospital affiliations, and their interactions with me (were my questions answered? did the doctor listen to my concerns?).

Would I wonder about a low-cut dress? Yeah, but it probably wouldn’t be a deal breaker. (But if the garment were a sleeveless shell I wouldn’t think a thing of it.)

With respect to this thread, I find it fascinating that an ordinary shell would provoke so much discussion. It’s not as if we’re talking about someone in a typical business environment wearing a belly shirt (which would be totally inappropriate).

And that’s all I have to say.

Thank you.

B’shalom,

Jeff

Right. And just as I would not have expected that anyone would have a problem with what Julie is wearing in the photo, I think we can say fro what she wrote that she didn’t expect it either, she took responsibility for how she dressed, and that’s that.

What she projected is a-okay with me. And she seems to be okay with what she feels she projects, based on what she wrote here.

So – then – all should be fine in the world, I would think. Can’t please everyone.

(I understand re: not about Julie; n/p)

First, this was never about Julie. As I’ve said before, it could have been any generic photo.

Second, you nailed my point when you said:

At some point,we all have to dress for ourselves and deal with how people choose to interpret it.

We must be conscious of how our actions (or in this case, dress) will be interpreted. If the interpretation is not what we expected or desired, then the responsibility is ours, not the person making the interpretation.

The clarity of the message is the obligation of the sender, not the recipient.

And for the record, the first photo is Dr. Jocelyn Elders and the second is an actress who plays the administrator of a hospital on television.

B’shalom,

Jeff

For example, with your A and B, that B doctor? I don’t know her but it looks like one of those doctor sisters out in California who do all the sexology stuff. I would imagine that her clients are perfectly fine with how she dresses.

At some point, we all have to dress for ourselves and deal with how people choose to interpret it. In this case, I see Julie as being completely appropriate, you don’t, and Julie makes it clear that it’s normal for her and her environs.

None of that negates your interpretation or reaction, but I just think that for ANYONE to be dressing solely based on how any single other individual might interpret it? Well – that’s not reasonable.

Have you ever read the essay I wrote about how my mother hates my hair?