Appearance

[larudee@pacbell.net]

Eliot,

Those of you who have met me have probably never seen me wear anything but my
standard "uniform" - logger jeans with blue suspenders and a hickory stripe
worker's shirt.  It is what I have found to be most practical to carry what I
need to on my person and perform my job.  I consider my clothes to be tools,
and I have never heard a negative comment about them.  On the contrary, a
number of people have told me that I "look like a piano technician."

In the 19th c., the standard operating room attire for surgeons was a top hat
and tails out of "respect" for the patient.  I think that clothing which is
designed for the job is a professional approach to the question, although more
formal clothing will never be unacceptable to the client.

I also wear shoes that slip on and off, and generally remove them at the door,
depending upon the site.  This is a personal preference, but many customers
say that it shows that I care about their house and carpet, and leads them to
believe (accurately, I like to think) that I care equally about their piano.

Paul Larudee

Eliot Lee wrote:

> Hello,
>
>     I was just told by a senior tuner here (Jim Coleman Sr.) that if I
> change my appearance by wearing a shirt and tie, instead of wearing casual
> dress, jeans and polo shirt, that I could increase my annual salary by
> $30,000.  He said there was a Yamaha study 20 years ago about this.
>
>     Have any of you noticed an increase in business by upgrading your
> grooming?
>
>     The problem is that here in Phoenix it is so hot, many homes are not
> properly cooled, I shutter to think how much I would suffer with the top
> button fastened wearing a tie, and to wear a suit coat over that would
> really be unbearable.
>
>     Do any of you take off your tie and open your shirt after making the
> first impression?
>
>     We small potatoes want to know.
>
> Eliot Lee