Put on Your Bib and Tucker

In case this expression is new to you, putting on your bib and tucker means to put on your best clothes.  When I first went off to college, the dean of women, Mrs. Emma Case would have meetings with the young girls and try to give them some guidance since we were all away from the watchful eye of our mothers.  One thing that she told us to do was put on fresh clothes before we went into the Student Union Building for the evening meal.  She said even if it were only a different blouse from what we had worn that day, to still change.  I think that was a wise suggestion, as it put some closure on the study time of our day and introduced a change of pace.

Putting on your best bib and tucker could have another connotation.  It might refer to your "best face" also, or putting your best foot forward, or applying it to everything you do for others.  A job worth doing is worth doing well.  We all slough over things at time, usually when it is for our eyes only.  No one can be at the top of their game every minute of the day.  And we know how much more pleasant it is to have a clerk in a store who is unusually helpful when we are shopping.  It leaves us with a happy feeling.

Another warm fuzzy we get, is when in traffic someone is polite and permits us to squeeze in for a turn which we had not anticipated.  Or yields to us instead of trying to whip in front of us.  It is a good safe driving practice as well.  Road rage is real, and could be avoided if good manners and consideration were adhered to when on the road.

I am reminded of a story, presumably true, about a vivacious girl who was dancing with a less than desirable young man.  She looked so happy and charming to the ones looking on from the sideline.   A friend said to her later, "How could you look like you were having such a good time"?  She responded that someone looking on might see her having fun and want to dance with her also.  She clearly had learned how to put forth her best effort.

There is a public discussion taking place now about employers who want to see the facebook page of prospective employees.  They say they have a right to know what kind of person they are hiring.  I am not sure which side of the discussion I want to support.  Psychologists tell us that the brains of those under age 25 are not fully developed and they are notorious for doing really thoughtless things.  They should not be judged solely on any thoughtless thing they put on facebook.  I would hope that thoughtful employers are looking to hire well rounded persons to join forces with them in their business.  No one is forced to share their facebook with potential employers but refusing to do so is tantamount to withdrawing the application. 

Putting on your best bib and tucker may be an old saying and an old idea but it does have relevence in this age of electronic transparency.