University Etiquette Men's Grooming Live Between Two Worlds Surviving the Parent Company

Outclass the Competition
by Harold Almon

In home (minority) training, you were taught, not to look into the eyes of adults. You were told, "Do not eat my words before they get out of my mouth. Stop trying to be Mannish." You learned (respect :) to look away or down when "Grown folk," spoke. Do this in business, and you will be accused of ignoring senior people. You will learn to look at people who are talking to you. It is mannish. It is also the custom.

You will learn to say, "Good morning," and be taught that, "What's happening" is none of your concern. You will learn (communication) to speak and to listen more slowly, with distinct breaks in each (like talking on a walkie talkie, “over.”) People do not trust people who can listen, think, and speak at the same time. Learn adults rarely raise their hands before they speak or say, "I'm sorry."

You were taught to wear your Sunday best for church. You will want to wear your best suit for business. When you do, people will find reason to challenge you. You will find that you can go almost anywhere in any uniform, except a suit.

You will find that when you do dress for success, you cannot get a cab, and elevators will close on you. You will learn to avoid suits or to defend them. Take off your jacket, whenever appropriate. Learn to invest in good shirts and great sweaters.

You will learn that dressing for success is dressing to fit in (or you will be suspect.) You will ensure that your clothes look good, and are casual. You will wear one signature ring. You will buy a camera/text telephone, and learn to use it with discretion.

You will want a Lexus or a Cadillac, and will learn the benefits of a Lincoln. You will look at an RX anything, and a Volvo, and see yourself in a Jaguar; you will learn that something old or a truck is a good business car.

You will be taught that all men are created equal, and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You will learn that only some are born free. The rest of us must work at it. You will call a cop who will do nothing, and see a judge who will find for you and the defendant, and deny you a remedy, or dismiss your case. You will long to be free. You may appeal, and petition, and involve yourself in the educational, political, and judicial process. You can win on appeal and/or after a riot, or after suing them twice.

You will learn the benefit of coaching, community involvement, and board service. You will get a good job. Ask for a telephone expense account, to keep in touch with others like you who have broken through the glass ceiling. It will be granted. You will do a fine job and engage in the pursuit of property. That is what the word used to be before they changed it to "Happiness."

You will move into a good neighborhood and become aware of people who will want to hire you, "’cause the house you "Work at" always looks so clean and beautiful." You will want to keep folks out of your home, to get a gun, and to retain a lawyer. You will learn to return a call made to your home; it is a sign of acceptance, which must be reciprocated, just because it is what is done.

You will never be a good Ol' boy. You will survive the parent company. You will be accepted. You will find peace. You will learn to live between two worlds.