Chapter 9: Jackets Draft 1.0

Jackets

I remember when I was in University, my friend and I had a very important business pitch to make. We were still students, so we were used to wearing jeans and casual tops most of the time. I was lucky enough to realize in time for our meeting that going to school is not the same as going to a meeting where I would be making a business pitch. For a situation like that, I realized I needed to be professional and dress more formally. So even though I was already wearing a spaghetti strap top and jeans, I grabbed a business jacket on the way out – because a jacket always adds a dash of professionalism just by throwing it on. However, on the way to the meeting I realized I had not checked what my friend would be wearing. She turned up in ¾ jeans and a tank top, which turned out to be inappropriate because all the others making pitches were dressed in business attire. In the end, I was the only one fit to make the pitch because the jacket dressed me up and transformed my look.

That incident made me realize how uncanny it was that a jacket could make such a huge difference. From then on, jackets symbolized situational awareness to me. Like the moment I picked up a jacket because I realized the situation called for it, even though I was so used to wearing jeans and tank tops. It wasn’t a personal preference, but an expectation that the situation called for.

A jacket isn’t a wardrobe necessity, but an add-on – unlike tops or bottoms, which are crucial elements of the wardrobe. From my experience, I have realized that situational awareness as an add-on can really get you far ahead others who only have the basics.

I have a friend who stayed at a condominium off Holland Village, and at the end of a night out with friends when people asked her where she stayed, she was careful with her answers so she wouldn't appear to be boasting. If someone who stayed at Sixth Avenue or Bukit Timahwas offering others a ride, then my friend would mention she stayed around Holland Village. But if she was in different company, and knew she would be going home pretty much on her own, she would say she stayed near Clementi. She wasn't trying to lie or hide anything. Rather, she was exercising sensitivity to each situation and acting appropriately.

Situational awareness helps you feel more prepared for, and comfortable with any situation you face. Just like when you’re in a country with four seasons, or going in and out of an office with strong air-conditioning, your jacket will always have you covered if you happen to feel cold. In that way, it is equipment that prepares you in times of unexpected or unwelcoming conditions.

I thought that situational awareness was important to highlight because I noticed a lot of us Singaporeans tend to be oblivious to the situations we are in. Take for example the other day when I was hailing a taxi on the roadside. Soon, I saw a taxi on its way, but before it could even reach me, someone walked straight onto the pavement about twenty meters in front of me and flagged the taxi. Maybe that person was in a rush, or maybe that person did not actually intend to “steal” it, but perhaps it would have been more appropriate to look around at the situation, to see whether he was perhaps cutting someone else’s queue. I’m not putting that person entirely at fault. I think if the taxi driver had seen me first, it would also have been appropriate to the situation to head straight for me rather than the most convenient passenger. Again, I’m not trying to find someone to blame, but I’m more concerned about highlighting the need for us to pick up little issues in the day-to-day that might affect others, or even ourselves. This requires us to constantly consider what situations we may face and what is expected of us so we can be aware enough to make the best of any situation.

Making the best of any situation is another reason why I love having a jacket. A jacket is an ingredient in our wardrobe that helps make us look sharp in an instant.

Take a look at these two pictures:

[picture of someone in normal attire]

[picture of someone in same attire but with a jacket]

These two people are dressed alike, but you had to choose, who would you think is the boss?

It would definitely be the one in the jacket, because jackets are formal enough to make the wearer stand out, even though the only difference between the two is a jacket! The effect when we wear jackets can be put on and taken off just like that, and that tells us how jackets can help us switch to the mode that is appropriate to the situation, just like that.

Being able to switch modes, just like switching to jackets because they are appropriate, helps us leave others with a good impression of us. It tells them that we are capable of discerning – since we were situationally aware enough to choose to put on a jacket in the first place!

[anecdotes]

Joce’s notes:

- Good start

- The flow is great

- Need to add in take aways- we know that situational awareness is important, but what can you tell me about situational awareness that is insightful and that I do not already know about?

- You should have at least 2 takeaways, each with elaboration and explanations

- Think about these carefully