Our Math teacher stormed into the class that afternoon unexpectedly. It was a free period. No teacher had a right to barge in, not even with a cane in hand.
The class went quiet almost immediately. Teenagers hurriedly arranging socks or shoes or tucking shirts in.. Everyone making sure they were not the scape goat.
He marched straight to this boy sitting by the left window and gave him four hot strokes on his back. The boy didn't move. He seemed to know what he was guilty of. "Give me your shoes!", Teacher roared.
It was SS3. Our uniform was distinct from the rest of the school.. And why wouldn't it be? We wore long sleeves with cufflinks if you were stylish, which I obviously wasn't. Suede shoes or the normal uniform black sandals was acceptable. This boy had All Stars shoes on instead. The teacher wouldn't have that.
He went on to explain the essence of being uniform. He said ours was a public school and therefore everyone had to look exactly same.. Both the poor and rich.. So everyone can be treated equally and fairly. That was the first time I really got to understand the concept of school uniforms. He gesticulated passionately.
How then was it possible to look at my uniform then and say it was very unattractive, and look at some guys' and go all wow?
Simple. Style. They had style.. And they let it in. They were not just going to appear normal like everyone else. This was SS3 and they only get to do it once. So they told the tailors to put holes for cufflinks instead of buttons, to make the trousers very flare at the bottom-- 'Bootcut'.. And to make the shirt very fitted. Then they got the coolest shoes and added Swatches to it.
When they appeared, they looked too corporate and sweet to be secondary school students. Exactly their plan. So they got all the girls, prefect positions and attention.. While those of us with shapeless uniforms that made our butt appear big unnecessarily, were left to drool and wish.
This tells a lot about the big fishes and small fishes in business, if you ask me.
Those who focus their attention on observing the competitor, and setting out ways to appear distinct and better.. To dominate the market.. Those who take business very seriously.
And those who just stay and hope things change.. Idolising the competitor and looking no different from any other small fish. These businesses just merely pull through and exist.
If you are no better or distinct from every one else, you have no right to sales. The customers could as well go to another of your look alikes.
Beautiful means, being different.
Good night.
-Bestwill Johnny