I think you'll be suprised how many doors open for you if you appear like you have your shit together. I've been a house painter for 17 years, with a break for 5 years (during business hours) working in the insurance industry. My co-workers (painters)and I have always talked about the way people look at and treat us when we're in our painters whites. They look at us like we're up to something and untrustworthy, we call it the "scum bag painter look." Women look away, kids snicker, and it just always feels like people look down at you. During the years of working in a professional industry, and wearing a sport coat and tie, or a full on suit, driving a nice car, looking the part....it's amazing how different I was treated. Like night and day.
I'm painting now, and wish every day that I can go back to wearing a tie again. I think I'm going to....so I get what you're talking about bud.
