Deceptive Appearances Spring 1988

Trevor Leggett was head of the Japanese Department of the BBC.

This is one of his broadcasts to Japan

Zubari for Spring 1988

Hello listeners! Do you often find that you have completely misjudged a person, because of their appearance?

Occasionally, I saw a woman member of a golf club, who was always very carelessly dressed in hideously crude and clashing colours, badly fitting.  I learned by chance that she was the Chief Buyer for Women’s Clothes at one of the best department stores.

She could judge accurately what dresses would sell, and gauge the changing fashions. But her own clothes were terrible.

Again, I was once invited to dinner by a friend of my mother, an elderly lady with white hair.  She gave us a marvellous meal, perfectly cooked. On the way home, I said to my mother: “She certainly must have very attractive daily means.”

“Oh no,” my mother told me.  “She uses her skill only if guests come.” She lives alone, and usually she just eats three or four fish fingers and a bit of lettuce. Her doctor says she doesn’t eat properly.”

But I admit that one can have the reverse situation.  On a long plane journey recently, I was sitting next to a pop star – a young man who sings – or rather shouts – coarse and vulgar songs.  We got into conversation, and on an impulse I asked him: “When you are at home, quite by yourself, what music do you like to hear?” He looked around to see if anyone was listening.  Then he said softly: “I like Mozart.  That’s what I really care for. But I don’t tell anyone: it would be bad for my public image.”

I breathed: “I won’t tell anyone.  But thanks for telling me.” It gave me back my faith in young people.

©Trevor Leggett