Eyeglass etiquette
Tami Lancut Leibovitz
Eyeglasses were invented in northern Italy between 1280 and 1300, but the exact date and identity of the inventor is unknown and forever disputed. On the other hand, regarding the eyeglass frames, there is a consensus – the modern style of frames held by arms passing over and above the ears was developed in 1727 by the British optician Edward Scarlett. In recent decades, there has been a constant increase in the use of contact lenses and of laser surgery to correct visual defects. However, eyeglasses are still largely popular and continue to evolve both technologically and in terms of design. For example, you can buy smart metal frames today that spring back to their original shape when bent.
In the business arena eyeglasses transmit power and strength. A person wearing eyeglasses is perceived as being more intelligent, literate, educated, and open-minded. Research has shown that the less ornate and fancy the frame is, so these notions increase. Businesspeople should wear straight-rimmed prominent glasses that transmit authority and seriousness. Frameless eyeglasses are recommended more for people that try to transmit conformism and that do not want to stand out too much – usually they will not be found in the forefront of the business world.
Eyeglasses frames the most important thing in putting together your glasses is to adapt the glasses frame to the shape of your face:
on such a face all types of frames will be suitable, as long as it is not as wide as or wider than your face. Oval face -
a Square face - quadrangular frame, square or wide will make one’s face narrower and longer.
Heart shaped face - clear or light-colored frames with narrow lenses or rimless glasses wider at the bottom are preferable
Elongated face(oblong) - round shaped frames that have more depth than width are preferable so that they make an oblong face appear shorter and more balanced. Choose a frame that has a low bridge.
Round face - choose a rounded frame that is wider than long, as well as being wider than the width of your face. They will soften your face and give it a more rounded look.
Diamond shaped face - try frames that are heavier in the upper part (straight at the top with rounded bottoms).
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent excessive exposure to bright sun light, visible and invisible high-energy light, and ultraviolet radiation and to protect the eyes from damage and discomfort. They absorb radiation and regulate the amount of sunlight passing through them, blocking the eye’s exposure to too great an amount of light and protecting the eye from glare. People use sunglasses in places where they are likely to be exposed to large amounts of light, like on the beach, in snow covered areas, under spotlights that have a great light intensity, as well as in everyday life.
It is customary to think that all dark lenses protect against the ultraviolet radiation damage (such as cataracts, eye cancer, and retinal degeneration), but that is not so. Nevertheless, over the years, many companies have made the healthy sunglasses a fashionable item. Most of them have emphasized both their design and the radiation filtering capabilities of their sunglasses. However, it needs to be stressed that sunglasses also need to be designed and adapted to the climate of the country in which they are intended to be worn. 384 | The Code for an Impressive and Representative
Tips for choosing sunglasses:
It is recommended that in choosing sunglasses one should pay special attention to the following features:
There must be a label specifying that they filter the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (at least UV400). Polarized lenses are recommended for better protection from bright sunlight.
The glasses need to be light (up to 30 grams)
The lenses should be scratch resistant. It is possible to choose glass lenses for sunglasses. However, they are heavier and more easily broken than plastic lenses, but they are less easily scratched, can have an anti-reflective (AR) coating, and can be polished to a higher shine. Lenses that reflect colors in the most realistic way.
- Dark color lenses cause the pupils to expand. Lighter color lenses are preferable, provided that they protect against UV radiation up to 100 percent.
- The frame is sturdy, flexible, and not brittle. Pay attention that the hinges of the frame are good and strong. Comfort - make sure that the glasses do not put pressure on the temples and that their grip is a pleasant one.
- Large lenses that block light from the sides of the eyes are especially important for those that are fair skinned and that are sensitive to the sun. It is important to obtain information on which cleaning materials are allowed and which are forbidden
Eyeglass etiquette:
- People that wear sunglasses or dark tinted glasses during business meetings are seen as suspicious and lacking in confidence. On the other hand, those that place their glasses over their heads are seen as being relaxed, calm and more discreet.
- However, raising the glasses over their head like a hair bow will likely make one look as though one had four eyes, and will make it hard and difficult for the person opposite to concentrate on the conversation as he cannot really focus.
- It is recommended that you take off your sunglasses while conversing with another person. In business meetings it is generally better to avoid wearing sunglasses.
- The habit of “looking over the glasses” can be easily misinterpreted. There is a tendency to think that the “observer” is being judgmental or has malicious intentions. Look through the lens during the conversation, otherwise you will be thought of as being arrogant and threatening to others.
- Chewing the end pieces of the glasses or touching them with your mouth symbolizes that you are trying to buy time and avoid responding to something. 386 | The Code for an Impressive and
- There are times when during a presentation the person giving it will remove their glasses and use them as a pointer
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