# What could people get wrong about you at first glance/first encounter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 3, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055 "2021-09-03T16:52:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/1 "2021-09-03T16:52:56Z")
Some people have asked if I’m a cop. More than once, I’ve been told I look like law enforcement. I kinda get it. I’m bald and kind of look like a thumb… and I noticed that SOME cops also resemble thumbs. If I were taller, I’d probably get it even more. The truth is, I’m not a fan of most cops. Though I don’t think all cops are “bad”, I believe they are often poorly trained and many are on the force for the wrong reasons. Do people have preconceived notions about you? Maybe because of your age, or race? Are you smart, but don’t need glasses? What’s the story? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/2 "2021-09-03T17:23:27Z")
I’ve been mistaken for a nun more than once. I admit that it was always in the context of a Catholic Church, but still. In my former congregation of several thousand there were only three or four nuns. On a couple of occasions, someone has mistaken me for a timid, demure sort. Eventually I opened my mouth and their opinion changed. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/3 "2021-09-03T17:28:29Z")
I tend to wear skirts and dresses at work, and used to have very long hair. People might have thought there was a religious component. I’m going for more of a slutty witch vibe now. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/4 "2021-09-03T17:29:54Z")
I apparently give off engineer vibes. People ask me if I work in IT/semiconductors. And my bosses would ask me to solve their math problems even though my math is pretty abysmal. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/5 "2021-09-03T17:30:52Z")
I bet I wouldn’t get mistaken for a cop if I went ‘slutty witch’. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/6 "2021-09-03T17:31:45Z")
You gotta do what comes naturally! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/7 "2021-09-03T17:53:32Z")
That I’m probably a republican. Older fellow that is showing some grey hair, lives mountain rural (because I love it) and drives an SUV (because I need it). Also, every one up here at altitude assumes everyone skis. Um thank you but no. I love the solitude of mountain living, I’m not going to go cram myself in line with hundreds of people on vacation. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/8 "2021-09-03T18:06:12Z")
I wear jeans, tie-dye, ankle-length skirts and dresses, and Eastern clothes like salwar kameez (not all at the same time), which has led a few people to the impression that I must be vegetarian/vegan. “You’re having steak? But I thought…” ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/9 "2021-09-03T18:12:23Z")
I’ve had problems in my life with people assuming I’m big and dumb, because I’m tall, large (both in build and I’m fat), and I have a deep voice. I think they also assume I lean to the right politically, because I’m a white male living in Texas and because of my personal style (fairly conservative clothing, short hair, clean shaven). They also assume that I’m a big sports fan as well. I do lean a little to the right, but I’m not a huge sports fan, at least not since I was about 25 or so. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/10 "2021-09-03T18:31:13Z")
Being considered “dumb” mostly comes after a few interactions with me. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/11 "2021-09-03T18:37:13Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > I wear jeans, tie-dye, ankle-length skirts and dresses, and Eastern clothes like salwar kameez (not all at the same time), which has led a few people to the impression that I must be vegetarian/vegan. “You’re having steak? But I thought…” I’ve gotten this one many times too; they think I’m a non (cigarette)smoking, tree hugging, vegetarian. Only one of those is true now (though I’m tree hugging adjacent!). Until recently I didn’t know my nationality (adopted). My whole life I’ve been told “you look \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_” or “you must be \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_”. I can understand it; I’m kind of different looking 😐. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/12 "2021-09-03T19:04:42Z")
> [@bump](#): > > I think they also assume I lean to the right politically, because I’m a white male living in Texas Yeah. I’m guilty of that. We have one other house on our road. Been sold three times since we have been here. Latest couple live here part time. When we discovered they where from TX, we where a little concerned if we would get along. Turns out they despise the previous president as much as my Wife and I (if that’s possible). They smoke weed too. We are all very good friends. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/13 "2021-09-03T19:14:52Z")
When I was younger I was always getting pegged (no, not that kind of pegged!) as a gay guy. I was a slender Theatre kid, so it’s understandable. Later in life, I worked at universities and would get asked on occasion about where I got my degrees (with an “s”). Nope, not even a Bachelors. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/14 "2021-09-03T19:15:01Z")
People assume if I’m quiet I want to be drawn into conversation. No thank you, I’m perfectly happy over here observing and silently judging. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/15 "2021-09-03T19:42:09Z")
Depending on the day, either that I’m “outdoorsy” or “socially liberal, economically conservative” or, by non-US standards, a liberal ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/16 "2021-09-03T20:14:11Z")
Apparently I have major RBF so some people have thought I was crabby and anti-social. Ok, there are days, but for the most part, I’m nice, dammit. No clue why I look so sour because I tend to be happy and optimistic. My last boss even commented on it once. I may be sarcastic but not bitchy. Really. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/17 "2021-09-03T20:28:44Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Until recently I didn’t know my nationality (adopted). My whole life I’ve been told “you look \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_” or “you must be \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_”. I can understand it; I’m kind of different looking 😐. Were you surprised? Just curious…no need to answer if it’s TMI. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/18 "2021-09-03T20:48:18Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Were you surprised? Just curious…no need to answer if it’s TMI. I was, kind of. I was sure I was some flavor of Latin /Hispanic (sorry, I never know which is the correct term) and I apparently don’t have any of that. My looks come from the Black and Chickasaw peeps that make up my bio father’s family.(Couldn’t get the blonde hair and blue eyes of bio mom’s side, oh no 😒). ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/19 "2021-09-03T21:08:25Z")
When I was younger a few people assumed I was gay. That never bothered me, it just wasn’t accurate. A couple of years ago I was talking with some women from work during lunch break, and they assumed that I must have had a very active dating life before I was married. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055/20 "2021-09-03T22:12:16Z")
I must look like someone who knows where things are. I am constantly being stopped and asked for directions. It’s been especially bad in hospitals, where people want me to point the way to the Department of Nostril Hair Laser Removal and similarly obscure destinations. I don’t want to disappoint by telling them to go to the Information Desk, so I make up a complex set of directions and send them on their way. They’ll appreciate the exercise. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-people-get-wrong-about-you-at-first-glance-first-encounter/950055.md?page=2)