Zzzip!

When I got a new backpack after about six years of using the old one, someone asked me an interesting question the very day I bought it. He needed directions—I gave him—and afterwards he said, "Are you a Tech Bro?" I quickly responded without thinking about it, but I later realised that I had never had any stranger ask me that directly on the street. "Wait. Could it be this backpack?"

Tech Bro is a rather generic name, as it doesn't exactly specify what you do in the tech industry. So I had no idea what he had in mind when he asked, but for all I know, I am a Tech Bro in my own ways, so yes, it is. What had me wondering was why he thought to ask. The only clue I had was the backpack, because it does look cool, and that's why I chose it. But what about the old one, and what impression did I make with it?

Maybe the fellow only asked a random question. However, aren't we usually addressed the way we're dressed? And it reminds me of a similar experience I had with an uncle's friend.

When I explained Hive and then my job as industrial automation engineer to this friend, my uncle, he suggested I dress a little more stylishly daily. He thought that someone who knew much about some aspect of technology and factory automation should be wearing a suit, or something exotic at least. I wasn't the tiniest bit offended for two reasons. The first, the man was just giving me friendly advice. Second, I was in a nice checkered shirt myself, a pair of jeans, and my sneakers. That's just me on a casual day, and I was only there to say hello to my uncle.

Impressions matter a lot, especially the first. And dressings do a lot of talking. While I am not the type to overkill, there are a few things I won't be found lacking. For one, you most certainly will never catch me in rumpled clothes, even in my home. And also never wear ugly color combinations. My shoes shined or clean as they should.

I could own something for years and maintain it as best as I can. Phone, laptop, clothes, backpack, shoes, or whatever. But to find the right time to let them go, now that doesn't often come to mind. And when I replaced my backpack in a while, I realised, damn, I really should have done this a while ago. The old one had to retire, and I need something more functional and durable to carry my daily essentials.