Does black look more 'professional' than white?

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

I love all the responses from the oh so important corporate business people here. I am going into the business world very soon and cant wait to deal with you stuck-up people. I have talked to people who make million dollar a year salaries but own a red blackberry pearl, or a silver crappy flip phone. As a matter of fact, I personally know people who make over 250,000 a year as CEO's of companies, and they do not have black phones. But what do I know.

I have learned nothing in my business classes at college about cell phone color. Thank god. If people are that judgmental that they are shallow enough to base your worth on cell phone color, than so be it. I would love to get fired due to having a white phone, I could sue for millions. I guarantee it.

I'm never hiring you.

EDIT: Flame-baiting, that's what I did there.

 

[phobic99]

haha! Conservative may vary Rank to Rank. Good luck!

I'll be fine I think. I'm just still waiting for them to retract that regulation after people start getting hit by cars from walking and talking on the phone. You know it's going to happen.

 

[Andrew K.]

It's tied even right now . I think it doesn't matter, if you are well respected at your job it shouldn't matter. It's not like you pulled out a spongebob Visa card, it's an iPhone, most people know the white one was the more high end one, your associates may even say " Hey that's kinda cool " okay well idk, what job is this for? Because it "might" make a difference, but in most cases it shouldn't.

 

[uberamd]

I'm never hiring you.

Well you wouldn't have that opportunity to tell me "no" because I would never want to work for a place like that or a person like you. Never. I understand wearing matching suits, but cell phone colors... that is crossing the line.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

Well you wouldn't have that opportunity to tell me "no" because I would never want to work for a place like that or a person like you. Never. I understand wearing matching suits, but cell phone colors... that is crossing the line.

Joking aside (which my post was, you took it well), it's not any rules or regulations, it's just a general professional appearane. You have to look good and not stand out appearance-wise. It's obvious the white iPhone just stands out and I don't think it's professional based on that simple fact.

 

[STEVESKI07]

I love all the responses from the oh so important corporate business people here. I am going into the business world very soon and cant wait to deal with you stuck-up people. I have talked to people who make million dollar a year salaries but own a red blackberry pearl, or a silver crappy flip phone. As a matter of fact, I personally know people who make over 250,000 a year as CEO's of companies, and they do not have black phones. But what do I know.

I have learned nothing in my business classes at college about cell phone color. Thank god. If people are that judgmental that they are shallow enough to base your worth on cell phone color, than so be it. I would love to get fired due to having a white phone, I could sue for millions. I guarantee it.

I'm not an oh so important business person, I just know how it is. It's not that stuck up. I'm just saying image matters, even if it's just a little bit. They won't fire anybody over it, but they will question what is going on in their head. It's hard to make it and be very successful in the business world, why hurt yourself over something as simple as image?

A good friend of mine's father was a VP of a company and was going to be promoted to being the head of another branch. He was the opposite of a flashy guy. He drove a 96 chevy malibu because the thing never died and he never saw a reason to get a new car even though he could easily afford it. The board members "kindly" reccomended him to buy a new car.

Moral of the story: To be successful, you have to look successful.

 

[uberamd]

Joking aside (which my post was, you took it well), it's not any rules or regulations, it's just a general professional appearane. You have to look good and not stand out appearance-wise. It's obvious the white iPhone just stands out and I don't think it's professional based on that simple fact.

Sarcasm and jokes are hard to detect when reading plain text, no? And I understand not standing out. But when I hear standing out I think a goofy suit, bright green phone or laptop, non matching socks. I never thought standing out meant I had to have a black cell phone. But whatever, I will bring this up to some business professors at my university to hear their take on it. I am interested.

 

[redman042]

You really don't think there's any dissonance with dressing in a sharp suit every day, going to meetings, seeing everyone with their blackberries for business, and then pulling out an all-white phone?

First, it's white, not neon green. Second, no. If you are good at your job, and conduct yourself with professionalism, then a white phone should not matter one bit. You may in your professional life run into one or two people that actually do scorn you for that, but screw 'em. They are tools, and probably suck at their jobs, and are all show and no substance. I've met people like that and have no respect for them. They won't last in the field. True professionals are too busy with important stuff to be distracted with trivial crap like that.

You know, it wasn't long ago at all when having an iPhone of any color was "un-businesslike". I heard a few comments like that from coworkers when I was contemplating my next phone purchase. Business people use Blackberries, period. iPhones are toys for kids. Well I broke the mold and got a phone that worked best for me, and does an EXCELLENT job with business functions. Now about 5 people in my office have iPhones, and more are talking about it. Go figure.

 

[twoodcc]

yes i think so

 

[uberamd]

First, it's white, not neon green. Second, no. If you are good at your job, and conduct yourself with professionalism, then a white phone should not matter one bit. You may in your professional life run into one or two people that actually do scorn you for that, but screw 'em. They are tools, and probably suck at their jobs, and are all show and no substance. I've met people like that and have no respect for them. They won't last in the field. True professionals are too busy with important stuff to be distracted with trivial crap like that.

You know, it wasn't long ago at all when having an iPhone of any color was "un-businesslike". I heard a few comments like that from coworkers when I was contemplating my next phone purchase. Business people use Blackberries, period. iPhones are toys for kids. Well I broke the mold and got a phone that worked best for me, and does an EXCELLENT job with business functions. Now about 5 people in my office have iPhones, and more are talking about it. Go figure.

Exactly. Thats what it takes, once one person does it the effect can snowball. Maybe everyone is just too afraid to bust out the white iPhone because it might not look 'professional', but once one person does it and other see the person again at work the next day, they might follow suit. My boss (PhD) has a white Palm Centro btw, and my boss's boss likes him still .

 

[redman042]

Exactly. Thats what it takes, once one person does it the effect can snowball. Maybe everyone is just too afraid to bust out the white iPhone because it might not look 'professional', but once one person does it and other see the person again at work the next day, they might follow suit. My boss (PhD) has a white Palm Centro btw, and my boss's boss likes him still .

Yes, and if you truly want to be successful in business, it pays to be a trail blazer and take a few risks, and do it with confidence. As long as you kick ass at your job, no one can say jack.

 

[STEVESKI07]

Exactly. Thats what it takes, once one person does it the effect can snowball. Maybe everyone is just too afraid to bust out the white iPhone because it might not look 'professional', but once one person does it and other see the person again at work the next day, they might follow suit. My boss (PhD) has a white Palm Centro btw, and my boss's boss likes him still .

Yeah, you are right. If you're well established, you can do whatever you want. However if you're young and still trying to rise the ladder as fast as possible, your best bet is to stay as 'normal' as possible. If people don't know you and they see something that could be considered as strange in the business world, you're starting one step behind. I think everyone that has posted a thought out statement here is right in there own way (except the people that flat out said white is more professional).

 

[Andrew K.]

I'm not an oh so important business person, I just know how it is. It's not that stuck up. I'm just saying image matters, even if it's just a little bit. They won't fire anybody over it, but they will question what is going on in their head. It's hard to make it and be very successful in the business world, why hurt yourself over something as simple as image?

A good friend of mine's father was a VP of a company and was going to be promoted to being the head of another branch. He was the opposite of a flashy guy. He drove a 96 chevy malibu because the thing never died and he never saw a reason to get a new car even though he could easily afford it. The board members "kindly" reccomended him to buy a new car.

Moral of the story: To be successful, you have to look successful.

true but the guy probably saved a lot of money driving his malibu for that time and became successful anyway, so the real moral was: You have to fit in and buy a BMW or else.

And why should it be any of the board members business? They would only see it if they went to lunch or something. Their is CFO that works in my building and drives a 93 malibu ( not kidding ) and he could easily afford but spends his money on other projects that make him more money.

I on the other would buy a nice car if I was that successful, I know I'm sending mixed signals here.

 

[STEVESKI07]

true but the guy probably saved a lot of money driving his malibu for that time and became successful anyway, so the real moral was: You have to fit in and buy a BMW or else.

And why should it be any of the board members business? They would only see it if they went to lunch or something. Their is CFO that works in my building and drives a 93 malibu ( not kidding ) and he could easily afford but spends his money on other projects that make him more money.

I on the other would buy a nice car if I was that successful, I know I'm sending mixed signals here.

haha, I would buy a nice car too. Then again, we own iPhones and not the original Razr's, so that's the type of people we are. It depends on the business, but some places don't like to see people looking like your average Joe, because they want the younger employees to see something to work towards. Say your an analyst and your senior analyst is driving a brand new mercedes. Doesn't that give you a tad more motivation then if your Senior Analyst didn't have anything nicer then you? Sorry if it's just me and if I'm materialistic...that's just how I am.

Other places like the management to not be flashy to make it feel more of like a family or friends as opposed to 'strictly work'. Every work environment is different.

 

[uberamd]

true but the guy probably saved a lot of money driving his malibu for that time and became successful anyway, so the real moral was: You have to fit in and buy a BMW or else.

And why should it be any of the board members business? They would only see it if they went to lunch or something. Their is CFO that works in my building and drives a 93 malibu ( not kidding ) and he could easily afford but spends his money on other projects that make him more money.

I on the other would buy a nice car if I was that successful, I know I'm sending mixed signals here.

Thats a tough one. The car thing is an interesting topic, since how often are you seen with the car? I know a guy quite well who is CEO of an engineering company and drives older cars and buys used cars, buys used laptops and lives very frugally. But he has a lot of money, and did found (and still runs) a successful company. He is so good at his job, and in such a position in the company where he can do whatever he wants. I think he is setting an example for the people lower than him that its ok not to own the best stuff or fit into the norm perfectly, as long as you bust your @$$ at work.

 

[mrkgoo]

I think black looks more 'professional'.

I also think people arguing why it matters is missing the point. Of course it shouldn't matter, and of course it doesn't/shouldn't take precedence in whether one actually appears professional or not.

But it's like a white briefcase vs. a black briefcase - the black looks more professional. You could argue why this is the case, and whether it's an artefact of today's society, but it's still there. In the corporate world (my use of 'professional'), professionalism is defined by how you act and carry yourself - being individualistic and standing out by appearance alone isn't considered professional.

If everything were white, and black was the standout, I'd probably consider white to be more professional.

Lastly, this is all a generalisation, and as such, there is always the exceptions.

 

[alhedges]

Black is clearly the more professional look. Anyone with any experience in the professional world knows this. White is "flashy" and it's less professional to have "flashy" things.

But in the overall scheme of things, the color of your phone is pretty minor. And This certainly doesn't mean that you won't be hired because you have a white phone; a little idiosyncrasy (like wearing orange socks with a suit) can be tolerated if you are otherwise competent and professional. But that doesn't mean that the orange socks are professional, and it doesn't mean that the white phone is professional. If you know what the rules are, you can choose to break them. But that doesn't mean that the rules aren't what they are.

 

[Sun Baked]

If you have a company that ties psychological studies to your choice of phone color, I'd be really worried.

Heck, the sadistic desktop profiling workplace shooters doesn't count, but the phone color does.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

If you have a company that ties psychological studies to your choice of phone color, I'd be really worried.

Heck, the sadistic desktop profiling workplace shooters doesn't count, but the phone color does.

You're missing the point. Black if more professional than white. As a poster above me said, what about a white briefcase? What's more professional, that or a black one?

 

[avigalante]

You're missing the point. Black if more professional than white. As a poster above me said, what about a white briefcase? What's more professional, that or a black one?

But this changes when speaking in the context of a cellphone.

Is a black shirt or white shirt more professional? It changes now, doesn't it? It's situational, and yes appearance matters, but not a measly cellphone.

 

[GoCubsGo]

You're missing the point. Black if more professional than white. As a poster above me said, what about a white briefcase? What's more professional, that or a black one?

When you put it that way, sure black. But when you put it this way ...

You really don't think there's any dissonance with dressing in a sharp suit every day, going to meetings, seeing everyone with their blackberries for business, and then pulling out an all-white phone?



That would be awful.

You're seriously delusional. I've pulled out my white phone, red phone, green phone (I've had many phones with many colors) at business meetings with CEOs of major organizations during heavy negotiations over multi million and billion dollar deals and never once felt like a jackass or less than professional. Sure, my company-issued BB is beside my standard issue-welcome-to-the-real-world pad folio, but even still, I was never given a look nor was my confidence diminished or my negotiation position at risk for the color of my phone. In the end the color of my phone never hurt my career ... trust me on that one.

 

[Sun Baked]

A white albino aligtor briefcase with solid gold trim definitely is more stylish than a cheap black plasticy looking briefcase.

Edit: if you have no style and can't accessorize, aren't diligent with your manscaping, then color ain't gonna matter.

 

[NinjaHERO]

As many people have said here, there are a bunch of ways to debate which is more professional. But I think black is a much more prominent cell phone color in the general marketplace. Therefore the black iphone would seem to be the more 'norm' color.

 

[mrkgoo]

When you put it that way, sure black. But when you put it this way ...


You're seriously delusional. I've pulled out my white phone, red phone, green phone (I've had many phones with many colors) at business meetings with CEOs of major organizations during heavy negotiations over multi million and billion dollar deals and never once felt like a jackass or less than professional. Sure, my company-issued BB is beside my standard issue-welcome-to-the-real-world pad folio, but even still, I was never given a look nor was my confidence diminished or my negotiation position at risk for the color of my phone. In the end the color of my phone never hurt my career ... trust me on that one.

Except the questions to pertains to relativity. It doesn't ever actually state that White is not preofessional or less than professional, simply which is MORE professional.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

Except the questions to pertains to relativity. It doesn't ever actually state that White is not preofessional or less than professional, simply which is MORE professional.

Yup.