>What's a woman to do? She has to look professional and feminine, yet not >afraid of the tools in her toolbox or what she might encounter upon >opening up a piano. Hi, Zen Semirural and coastal Oregon, mixed with my normal preferences, comes out like this: Decent slacks and a blouse and sweater, unbuttoned in mixed weather, pullover in cold weather. (Never jeans or a t-shirt, even a new t-shirt.) Velcro closure running shoes (clean) and crew socks (clean, not worn out) most of the winter. I take off the shoes if I see an Oriental person answering the door, or if I see my customer in sock feet, or a row of shoes near the door. Sleeveless or short-sleeved blouse, decent slacks or shorts (ample), with white sandals in summer weather. Sandals likewise get ditched at the door in shoeless houses. Skirts? No thanks. Too much grubbing around under pianos, and they just don't seem practical. "Feminine"? <grin> Just keep your hair long and wear earrings. I avoid the dangly sorts which might get in the way. Oh, also, "feminine and professional" comes through if one takes a few minutes to clean the worst of the dust and cobwebs out of the piano when one first opens it (only takes a few minutes -- I carry clean terry cloth dust rags in my kit). Likewise, taking the time to wash hands, either after the cleaning, or after the tuning, or both. In fact, it's a good professional habit for both kinds of folks, IMHO. Susan
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