Symbols of serious opticianry

[drk]

You know how a state trooper commands respect with a impeccable uniform and a flat-top haircut?

You know how a surgeon makes you feel comfortable with those scrubs, mask, and headcap?

You know how a nice white coat works on your family MD? How that nice poster of the circulatory system on the wall sends a subliminal signal?

You know how a hospital always seems to use that certain shade of light blue for their logos?

Question: What paraphernalia, dress, decor, etc. have worked their way into our collective conscious as archetypes of opticianry?

I will begin with this (no, not the frames):

The leather dispensing pad!

What else says "serious optician"?

[wmcdonald]

Oh boy, I can't wait to see this! You will find this to be as broad as anything you could ever ask. We can't even decide what an Optician is from state to sate, and getting anyone to describe their attiitudes towards dress, etc. should prove interesting.

[MikeAurelius]

Dispensing optician or manufacturing optician? As a manufacturing optician, my uniform depends on whether or not I'm running machines or just edging/inserting/inspecting. For running machines, its a lab apron (red for management), for edging/inserting/inspection, its a white lab coat.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

[Jana Lewis]

what an ugly frame! LOL!

[NCspecs]

what an ugly frame! LOL!

Hah, Jana, that is exactly what I was thinking!

This should be a simple, no-fuss answer but all of us here on Optiboard know this is going to blow the h3ll up here in a moment. I'll bite though, and use myself as an example of what I think works.

I was told I was hired, optical experience aside, because I was fashion forward in my dress and this is important because I work in an affluent neighborhood. I get a simple manicure on a regular basis (no tips or fake nails) and I wear nice jewelry. My clothes are all tailored to fit (no nasty dragging hems on slacks or too revealing blouses). I personally believe that because I dress like my clients I am able to connect with them and they feel we have common ground. If I look like their neighbor then they trust me. It's seems trite maybe but I think we are all wired to trust people who vaguely resemble ourselves and I get a spark of connection when I chat with a pt about owning a brahmin bag or shopping at Nordstroms while I'm processing their order.

[Robert Martellaro]

I remember that frame... Martin-Copeland or Metzler?

Dress shirt (white), pants and shoes (dark), and clean-shaven. Essentially British, without the tie and coat. Lately it's been three days growth and Tommy Bahama.

[chip anderson]

Haven't you noticed every OMD office has a cute, sexy young thing at the front desk? Often several more as techs and escorts, at least one or more in the dispensary. Can't say we do this here. But Sex appeal sells. If you are there to sell use every thing you got.

Chip

[pseudonym]

Nothing projects a serious optician image like having a pd stick in your front shirt pocket.

[Wes]

When I saw the headline, the first thing that went through my head was:

"Serious credentials and the skill and knowledge to back them up = serious opticianry".

Oh the disappointment.
Little did I know it's my cool haircut, Kenneth Cole shoes, Perry Ellis shirt and Bananna Republic slacks (or khakis) along with a white coat with custom sewn pd stick and screwdriver pockets. Where did I go wrong?
Wes





(Said mostly in jest)

[pseudonym]

When I saw the headline, the first thing that went through my head was:

"Serious credentials and the skill and knowledge to back them up = serious opticianry".

I think it's called "fake it until you make it." After you make it, you get to wear whatever you want.

[Wes]

How will I know when I've "made it"?

[WFruit]

I always thought a "serious optician" was one that made sure that they had a 12 step program for taking your own PD on their website.....(I'm joking, please don't kill me)













Anyway, the opticians in our retail stores dress professionally and have nice little name tags that say "NY Licensed Optician"

[pseudonym]

How will I know when I've "made it"?

I guess the better question is when did you know? Maybe there is a defining moment. I knew I'd made it in eyeglass repair when I stopped worrying that I'd end up breaking the frame worse than when it came in. Because then I'd just fix that break, too.

[optilady1]

I knew I had made it when they stopped calling me 'that girl', and that I was just as good as the 'man'.

[NCspecs]

Anyway, the opticians in our retail stores dress professionally and have nice little name tags that say "NY Licensed Optician"

I hate name tags. Icky icky. I don't wear tools either. I'm not batman for goodness sakes! :p

[NeGlassesGirl27]

I just have to show up to work to have patients coming out of the wood work buying glasses from me. :p :p :p

Honestly though, I think appearance DOES make a difference. If an optician is dressed frumpy, hair looking like the 1980's, etc..I certainly wouldn't want to buy from them. I like to wear black pants because that always makes a nice statement. In the winter, almost every single day, I'm wearing a different colored scarf and I usually try to match my funky glasses with what I'm wearing that day. We do have work shirts that we can wear and I do have a few of them, however, I love wearing whatever I want because it shows who I am. I'm a sweater person so you can usually find me wearing a nice sweater (going back to matching with the scarf).

I think if you have a "fun" appearance and you are "fun" to work with, people will be more likely to purchase from you. :D It also helps that I have a very, very outgoing sense of humor, I can joke around with patients but I also can detect the patients that have 0 sense of humor who don't want to be talked to. The office I worked at previously had us wear nice name tags but I hated wearing them. That's why you introduce yourself at the beginning and at the end say, "if you have any questions my name is --- so call me anytime". I don't like to be called "THAT girl" or "the girl with short hair and glasses". Makes me feel really nice..:angry:

The funny thing is when my fiance and I go to the gym, there's A LOT of patients that go there so when they see me..it's a completely different view because I am dressed in "work-out gear" or some sort of work out pants, t-shirt. I usually get the double take like the, "I know her from somewhere" :bbg:

[ThatOneGuy]

Honestly though, I think appearance DOES make a difference.I don't like to be called "THAT girl" or "the girl with short hair and glasses". Makes me feel really nice..:angry:

I'm in shirt and tie every day and the patients all think I'm the doctor. I feel horrible that when the receptionist tries to give patients their paper work, they look right past her to me and start trying to get free advice or get out of doing paper work.

[NeGlassesGirl27]

I'm in shirt and tie every day and the patients all think I'm the doctor. I feel horrible that when the receptionist tries to give patients their paper work, they look right past her to me and start trying to get free advice or get out of doing paper work.

I have been asked that as well. "Are you the doctor?" I always say, "No. Unfortunately, I am not. I am a Certified Optician"

[ThatOneGuy]

I have been asked that as well. "Are you the doctor?" I always say, "No. Unfortunately, I am not, I am a Certified Optician"

*high five*

[NCspecs]

I'm in shirt and tie every day and the patients all think I'm the doctor. I feel horrible that when the receptionist tries to give patients their paper work, they look right past her to me and start trying to get free advice or get out of doing paper work.

I hear ya. I get asked all the time if I own the Optical separately from the Dr.'s office or if I am the optical manager. It's probably because I typically wear a slacks with a blazer.

[NeGlassesGirl27]

I hear ya. I get asked all the time if I own the Optical separately from the Dr.'s office or if I am the optical manager. It's probably because I typically wear a slacks with a blazer.

YES!!! I get asked that ALL. THE. TIME!

"Do you own the eyeglass part?" Umm..no. I don't know if it's because of where my area is, which is located away from the front. The girls "ding" for me, I come out of my "area" and I believe think this is MY side. I don't get it. Technically, I am the Optical Manager since I'm the only Optician in a 2 OD practice. So if someone comes in all huffy and puffy, I walk out there and when they ask for the Optical Manger, I will say "What can I help you with?" :bbg:

Today, I am very matchy with my purple shirt, purple scarf, purple glasses, black pants and my black work cardigan.

[HarryChiling]

[Wes]

Thats what I was thinking...

[kcount]

Really?

I always thought certs were stuffy. I prefer the simple one word on my card, "Owner".

No more questions from patients/clients.
:shiner::cheers::cheers:;)

[Barry Santini]

For me, nothing conveys that special seriousness or accomplished authority as much as "Master Optician" (ABOM) below my name on my business cards.

They *always" remark: "What's a Master Optician? I've never heard of that before." I explain it, and conclude with the observation that it is natural for them not to hear about it, since less than 20 people A YEAR, NATIONWIDE, meet the requirements.

Barry