I'm used to getting pushback whenever I write about personal appearance. After a recent column in the January 2022 issue of Veterinary Practice News, in which I discussed how changing norms are challenging traditional assumptions about professional appearance, I received an especially lengthy diatribe in response. This self-described 40-year veteran RN had a lot to say about "professional" appearance, "professionalism," and why she'd never patronize my practice. Here's a fun snippet:
"I personally would not be impressed with a pink-haired, pierced, tattooed employee in tacky-looking scrubs and unsafe footwear whose verbal skills also lacked a great deal. They seem to go hand-in-hand. I would not trust them with my animals.
In conclusion, Dr. Khuly, I'm not going to be a client at your clinic or any other that thinks the staff can look and act like they have no pride in their appearance. That means they have no pride in their practice. You would do your clients and patients a great service to practice professionalism in your clinic. Your article seems to be saying that just because you are smart, you can look any tacky way you want. And you can allow your staff to follow in your footsteps. Not gonna happen, trust me. Grow up."
Comments are closed.