Appearance
The way we dress, walk, and talk says a lot about us. Physical appearance has to do with how a person grooms himself or herself. This narrows down the clothing and accessories one wears. Although appearance should not be how we judge a person, most of us get that habit from our family. Unfortunately, the reality is that people judge others by outer appearance.

As Brent Staples describes in his story, “Youngish black man-a broad six feet two inches with a beard and billowing hair, both hands shoved into the pockets of a bulky military jacket-seemed menacingly close.” (Staples 241) The woman walking by him was terrified of him. She was judging him by his appearance; by what he was wearing. Among other things, which form an individual’s appearance besides clothing is how one grooms. We have the tendency of assuming a person is a certain way because of their appearance. In comparison, how a person shaves, does their hair gives them a certain personality. Also the way they talk, move, and smile, says a lot about a person.

I have worked in the banking industry for five years and have learned a few things about people. As a result, working in the banking industry you get to see and meet different type of people. There was this one older lady that every morning would stop at the bank and have a cup of our complimentary coffee. She was never groomed her outfit was not up to date with todays fashion; It was like she has just gotten out of bed. First thing that came to my mind was “poor lady she must be homeless.” One day she came up to my desk and asked me to transfer some funds into her daughters account. Her daughter was away at college and was in need of money, I gladly said yes and went ahead with the transfer. It was until I entered her checking account that I found out that she was no poor lady. This lady was very wealthy. She had plenty of money to buy herself clothes and a cup of coffee. It turned out that she was a retired doctor, that was going through a rough patch in life. It immediately made me change my perception of people. I no longer “judge a book by its cover.”

Cheerleaders have a reputation as been a bunch of airheads that do not know much. They are considered valley girls because of the way they talk and act. The way we talk as well says something about us; in addition we start to judge people. In high school we where divided into our own little groups. There where the following stereotypical groups: nerds, jocks, freaks, preps and cheerleaders. We all stereotyped them assuming they where a certain way, since they hung out with certain groups. Once in class with them we realize that the cheerleaders where not dumb and a bunch of airheads. They actually they did have brains and used them.

Appearance can often be deceiving, even though it is easier to believe someone is a certain way by their appearance. Most people dress by how they are feeling that day. Thus it does not necessarily mean they are a certain way. An individual appearance varies from one individual to another. Therefore, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Works Cited
Staples, Brent. Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Powers to Alter Public Space. Patterns for College Writing. A Rhetorical Reader and Guide. Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. 11th ed. New York: Bedfort St. Martin 2009
Hirsch, E. D., Joseph Francis Kett, and James Trefil. Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. 3rd ed. 2002. Print. *MLA Format*