How Do You Represent Yourself?

STEPPING STONES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

GROUP DISCUSSION

TOPIC DISCUSSION:

HOW DO YOU REPRESENT YOURSELF?

When we travel in our daily walk; Whether going to school, shopping at the mall, sitting in the pews of our place of worship, or walking into a restaurant, “ How do you present yourself to the general public?  Consider the following and describe how you present/express yourself in the following situations:

•       Going into both Bath and Body Works or Coach Store in the mall, 5 minutes have passed at Bath and Body Works and you have not been approached by a Sales Representative to assist you or greet you….  The same situation happened at Coach Store across the way…How do you approach this situation? Sarcastically or in a polite, yet stern manner?

•      Young men are always being “labeled”, “branded”, or “stereotyped” for their dress or affiliations with certain peer groups.  At the Edward’s Movie Theater/Mall, the Site Security Officer advises you to leave, for you are “hangin” out in the same location with friends for over 30 minutes!!! Do you “go off” on the Security Officer, or do you abide by the demand and leave the premises?

•       The Stepping Stones mentor called you at school to inform you of an “immediate” job opportunity at the upcoming Chick-Fil-A Restaurant on Stockdale Hwy. (Grand Opening will be in March 2009!!!) You are at school in torn jeans, jean jacket, sweater, and UGG boots. Would you take the time to go home and change, in case of an “on-the-spot” interview, or would you get to the site ASAP, as you are?

•       Sunday is here and you are preparing to attend service. Do you wear a dress, skirt, or dress slacks for women? For men, do you put on your best “ECCO” gear, with your fresh JORDANS, or would you put on a press dress shirt, sweater, and dress pants, with dress shoes?

Your responses are a matter of how much pride you have in yourself and how important it is to look and be your best. Not to make a “bold” statement that no one will get the best of you; But to be intelligent, have integrity, yet represent who you are.  Sound difficult, but it can be done!