And should women be so wardrobe obsessed? Will I fit in? Will I be respected? Going to fashionable Paris, will I be a dork? This blog post changed directions after a visit to Chase Bank last week. Apologies up front for being personal.
Rates are good so I dropped by Chase with my husband. He came along only because I wanted a CD in joint names. I usually work with one banker. He invited a financial adviser to join us. The advisor came into the office, shook hands with my husband, only addressed him with a canned speech on money markets.
I spoke up: Excuse me, we are talking about my money, my accounts, my company. You have not even looked at me. He was clearly shocked but more annoyed. Not knowing I was a Vice President of a major bank in a first career, he proceeded with an elementary lesson on FDIC insurance. He added that FDIC has never been used. At that point, I interjected: Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank both recently tested FDIC. I then explained why a CD and, legally, why not a money market fund. He smirked and marched out of the office. The banker apologized.
So lesson learned, I was wearing sweatpants, sweatshirt and sneakers. 1– I waited too long for the ‘Excuse Me’ line. 2–Then did not request a business card up front. (That is a good way to demonstrate you are the point person). 3– I did not ask for the manager. 4–Sometimes is it worth actually taking notes in front of the insulter.
Back to packing. What you pack is based on the destination, weather, events in the itinerary, and how to present oneself. The first three are easy. For instance, you check into a fine European hotel, wearing old leggings, and a tee shirt but want a better room. You check in at the airline and ask about upgrades. If you cannot ‘pack the look’, speak the look. Do it nicely, promptly, use the other person’s name and get a business card.
I hate writing this finale. If you are a senior woman, you might be totally invisible. It can matter how you carry yourself and dress. No one reads the footnote: that women hold most of the money in this country and plan most of the vacations.
Back to packing: black is best, grey second, and white if washable. Weather is changing as are we senior women. When senior women are jet lagged and beat, cold can feel colder, rain can get raw and a sniffle is around the corner. Invest in a light weight water resistant jacket, water proof hat, quality leggings or washable pants, and keep it all black/grey/navy. Buy light weight washable underwear and marked 3 oz. plastic bottles for liquid products. Make sure to label them so you don’t put Tide in your hair in Tanzania. Toss in one decent long sleeved tee type shirt, a good not irreplaceable scarf. And walk the talk with confidence into any space.
Regarding the bank today. I refuse to dress up to go to a bank. But if I see that Chase advisor again, he will be made aware that I know what FDIC is, and actually ranked much higher than simple officer, in charge of a multi million $ portfolio.
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