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
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