[Aboh33]

As a related anecdote, I used to perform experiments by dressing in particular ways while going out in public. If I wore a nice blazer-type jacket and generally looked more preppy, I would definitely notice different behavior as when I might dress with with a t shirt and long sleeve over it with long sleeve shirt unbuttoned. I attribute this partly to conditioning via TV show characters etc.

[xcambar]

For many reasons, I grew accustomed to fit into many diverse social groups.

It's not only about the way you dress, but also which "side of you" you present to others. I mean, what I've learned is that there are many "I" available in me (and everyone, please generalize at will), and too many people consider wrongly that they're "one and only" and that it's "being true to oneself" to only expose one side of themself.

This is wrong. I, you and everyone, we are all individually a multitude and using this multitude to get yourself what you want (friends, information, jobs, sex, you name it) is not only a skill, which would sound a bit too utilitarian, but also and most importantly, it is a way to acknowledge yourself and let the others know the multitude and complexity and diversity of you.

And I think it's awesome.

[pmoriarty]

I spent a day trying to smile at strangers. The result was that half of them gave me a "do I know you?" look, and the other half looked at me like I was crazy and backed away.

Not encouraging...

[bittercynic]

I think this very much depends on the circumstances. Few working-age men walk in my neighborhood, and some people seem a little uneasy seeing me walking. They don't know what to make of me.

On the other hand, if I walk a dog it is clear what I'm doing, and people are quick to share a smile. It seems like many people are uncomfortable unless your activity fits into a pattern they're familiar and comfortable with.

[zh3]

I remember a teacher who cycled to work every day, along a coastal route. Because he saw the same people so often, he set himself a goal to smile at all he recognised so they'd smile back.

Last time we spoke, he was still battling one obstinate hold-out (while reminds me of an old joke - 'smiles' is actually the longest word in the english langugage because there's a mile between the s's).

[sophacles]

If "smiles" is the longest, how do you explain "similes"?

[Invictus0]

They must not have heard of beleaguered either.

[zh3]

Touche.

But more seriously, an imile is orthognal to the traditional one and as a result there is zero space between the s's.

[sophacles]

There's a great circle joke in here somewhere. I'm just not sure how to rotate the conversation into it.

[stronglikedan]

I think that largely depends on where you are, and what the cultural norms are. I go out of my way to smile at everyone I see, and most people smile back, even if it takes them a double-take before they do. I'll never not smile at someone, because it's a known stress reliever to do so, especially when my smile elicits another's smile.

[tgv]

Or the tv characters dressed that way because of general perception, of course.

[yencabulator]

This one time, I visited an Apple store at an upscale mall to pick up a laptop (needed urgently, I damaged the previous one by spilling a drink on it). However, I happened to be dressed to the max because of a fancy event that I was returning from. I carried the Apple-branded bag with me while seeing if I could buy some miscellaneous clothing (T-shirts and underwear) while there.

It is ridiculous how much more attention I got from every shop attendant throughout the mall that day, compared to my usual comfortable cargo shorts and T-shirt look.

That "experiment" still makes me sad. We treat humans like garbage if they don't look rich enough.

[haecceity]

What were the differences???

[ZephyrBlu]

You tend to draw more positive attention when you dress nicer.

[AlexanderTheGr8]

Interesting attribution to conditioning via TV show characters. What was the difference in people's behaviours?

[Aboh33]

Similar to the Apple Store experience above, mostly but even in the way people will look at you both good/bad