Proverbial #4: Good appearance makes for a good impression
Welcome to another proverbial session with @smyle. Proverbial is my coinage to tell the world meanings and interpretations of some popular and unpopular proverbs from Africa and the world at large.
Today, i will be looking at a popular proverbs used by Yoruba people of Nigeria. The proverb is: Ìrínisí ni ìsọnilọ́jọ̀. It means good appearance makes for a good impression!
The African people do not joke with proverbs, they believe it is accurate and in most cases they believe proverb expresses their thoughts more than explaining it with mere words. This is why Yoruba people say: Owe l'esin oro, oro l'esin owe. B'oro ba sonu, owe la fi nwa. This means proverb is the ultimate vehicle for perfect communication.
In philosophy, we believe that appearance is not reality. Often time, things appear differently to different people. What A sees, B might see it differently. Appearance is indeed deceptive and cannot be trusted.
This looks rather different as far as this Yoruba proverb is concerned. Yoruba people also believe that things are deceptive and some are rather confusing. But they claim that people need to appear good if they want to be respected.
First impression matters in life and we judge actions based on what we observe first. So the Yoruba believe that you must make good impression at all times.
For instance, if you are visiting your in-laws for the first time, the impression you create will determine whether they will accept you or not.
Decency is number one thing in this part of the world, so you must appear decent to be accepted at least. You must look good.
We know that women can be choosy! As a guy, you need to look good first before your brain is tested by these ladies! Before an African lady would listen to whatever you have to say, you need to at least look good. Then brain test comes second via questioning and most importantly, your pocket!
Many people in the world today have taken appearance to mean the main deal. Some now leave fake lives just because they want to feel among. One thing they forget is that looking good is not about dressing flashy or wearing expensive things. Looking good means simplicity. Being simple and accepted by all irrespective of your religion, color, height or status in the society.
So the Yoruba believe that your appearance says a lot about you and who you are. They believe that when they see you, they know by intuition that you are from a responsible home.
In all you do, always look good! Create good impression not only at first instance but at all time. One thing about character is that you cannot hide it. It is like a smoke.
So command respect and acceptance by your appearance. Life is easy when you live simple and loved by all.
What do you think about the proverb above? Do you think 'good' appearance command respect?
Thanks for reading. Your boy @smyle the philosopher.
There is no logical way to the discovery of these elemental laws. There is only the way of intuition, which is helped by a feeling for the order lying behind the appearance.
- Albert Einstein
You said it all, first impression does matter alot, although i believe it is wrong to judge people by thier looks but a neat and decent look sure matters.
Yes sister! Thanks! 👍
There is an adage that say "the way you dress is the way you're addressed" which points to the fact that the way one appears gives an impression with which you're judged.
Yeah! Dress like rich man to be addressed as one 👍
For me looking good is good business! Only when am on a business trip. Lol otherwise am on my no makeup hair dishevelled look.
Lols! We know una oooo! Ladies can look good outside... But when they are at home? 😏😂
Lol. As in ehn. "This is not my real face o" comes out
Omo na youruba start this post oooo
Lols! I rep my people from West that is why!! 😂
well, you spoke absolutely well dear, i saw truth and realities in the lines of your words.
An african proverb says:
'the way you dress is the way you will be address'.
The above adage is very true, because if a sane person dresses like an insane person, he will be automatically regarded as an insane person, therefore dressing coperately is higly recommended.
Nevertheless, do not judge a book by its cover, look beyond the physical, for wisdom dwells within the things unseen, and only those who seeks beyond the physical gets it abundantly.
You are right brother! Thanks for your contribution. 👍
First impression matters alot and not only that it speaks a great deal of your person. As they say, dress well to be addressed well.
Once, I am outdoors, I love to look very very clean.
Yeah!
But Aunty Mimy, what about when you are indoor? Do you look very very dirty 😏🏃🏃
I second this. Simplicity is decency. Not all can be simple, but it takes an amount of decency to want to be simple especial when it comes to looking good. Great piece dear one.
Boss this your Yoruba language Na super !!! Nice post bro