by Jeffrey Hauser
Whether you like it or not, we are being surveyed, sized-up, segregated, sorted, type-cast, analyzed, classified, appraised, assessed, and quantified every time we are in a social or public situation. It begins with what we wear, how we look, how we act, and how we behave. It”s not a bad thing mind you, it just “is.” It”s the way society is structured and probably goes back to the earliest man sizing up his cave-mate based on the smell or sounds that accompanied the grunting Neanderthal.
Today, it”s a bit more complicated, although it can be summed up as follows.
For example, Are you into%85
- Coke or Pepsi? Classic, Diet, or Cherry?
- Coffee or Tea? Starbucks, Seattle”s Best, Chai or herbal?
- Meat or Vegetables? Beef, Chicken, or Salad?
- Prada, Gucci, or Coach? Handbags, shoes or both?
- Macys or Wal-Mart? Target or Sears?
- Chili”s or Cheesecake Factory? McDonalds or Wendys?
- RV”s or Motels? Camping or Cruising?
- Rap or Country-Western music? Oldies or top 40?
- Plasma screen or standard? Widescreen or 32 inch?
- Cable connection or dial-up? Mac or PC?
- Self-Employed or not? White collar or blue collar?
- College or High School? Masters or PhD?
- Read the “DaVinci Code”or saw the movie or both?
- Like Jessica Simpson for her acting ability? Ditto Brad Pitt?
- Tired of reading these choices? So am I.
By now you get the picture. We are a result of the choices we make. It defines us in the eyes of our peers. But it also says a lot about our nature and what we deem important. So grab that Big Mac, bookthat next trip to Disneyland and pop in the DVD of the Dukes of Hazard. I won”t judge you if you don”t judge me. I would love to write more, but I have to catch the latest Monk marathon and dive into a pile of Mounds dark chocolate. Yum.
Jeffrey Hauser”s latest book is, “Inside the Yellow Pages,” which can be viewed at http://www.poweradbook.com
He was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master’s Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. Currently, he is the Marketing Director for thenurseschoice.com, a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.
