What does 'a teacher' look like?

Yes MamaCaz, I was walking to my car having left work and a man walking past said ' I bet you are a doctor, are you a doctor'? I replied that no I wasn't a doctor! He said'You look like a doctor,it's the legs'!! I was wearing black tights and heels with a short beige trench coat style Mac. I am in fact a teacher, but I didn't tell him that ?

I was a teacher and I think I look just like one with my reading glasses usually on the top of my head - and a somewhat stressed and exhausted expression!

I've not been told I look like a teacher but people have assumed I'm a teacher because I have four children. Having a family of four apparently means you like children and liking children means you must be a teacher!

I have been told that I look like a teacher by someone who didnt know I had 5 children - it must be the harassed, exhausted look!

Whenever we used to go in holiday in the October school week, my husband used to point out all the teachers in the queue at the airport. He said you could spot them a mile off!

I'm a teacher, I don't think it's what we wear that makes people spot us, it's the way we try to organise everyone and take charge, I can't stop myself, much to DH's embarrassment!

People often guess (correctly) that my former profession was teaching. I don't think it has anything to do with how I look.

The stressed, exhausted, harassed look - of course, it all makes sense now

I forgot to point out in my OP that I'm not actually a teacher. Not a 'real' one, anyway, though after doing a modern language degree in my thirties, I did give private French and Spanish lessons until quite recently.
The first comments about my looking like a teacher pre-date that!

I was a teacher and evidently I look like one. It's the job most people think I did. I agree it's probably more to do with the attitude and habits than looks. One thing which does make it evident is my voice which can be clearly heard over most other noises and even further if I shout. I can be quieter but when I want attention I do use it.

I've always been told I should have been a teacher.

Something about the voice I think and supreme confidence that I'm always right

Well I don't think that really.

But I do know how to pronounce sloth when referring to the charming animal

And I make sure my grandchildren know about it

Teachers of a certain age usually wear a nice selection of stripy Seasalt tee shirts and lovely scarves. Glasses poised on head with reminders written in biro on the back their hands.
Walk with a stride with an air of confidence. Always told by others, you aren’t in classroom now, stop organising us.
I know because I was one!

SueDonim I love that answer-evidently having grandchildren has the same effect!

Someone once assumed I was a vegetarian because I wear long crinkly skirts.

I've been told on a number of occasions that I "look like a copper", which slightly bemuses me as style...if it can be called that is far removed (I think) from that of officers.
Although I do work in criminal justice, so it's close!

I have always wanted to be a teacher, I love it when just chatting, or whatever, I see/feel/hear someone learning!! I think it is a compliment

? I was a teacher too Hetty and I can usually be seen with my glasses perched on top of my head with a harried expression on my face.

There is a young lady at my choir who I’ve always thought looks like a librarian. Recently I was talking to another choir member and she said something like your know the lady, the one who looks like a librarian’.

Well, I can rule out the loud voice, scarves, glasses worn on top of head, an air of confidence, notes written on back of hand or a liking/flair for organization, as none of those things are 'me'.

Could it be my unruly hair which perhaps suggests that I am an over-worked teacher who can't find time for regular visits to a hairdresser?

No? Probably still my stressed, harassed, exhausted expression then.

A date once told me I looked like a vicar's wife! Didn't last long...

I'm enjoying reading your replies. It's funny how people pidgeonhole us, isn't it!

I've been told several time I look like a strict head mistress . I used to organise advents , so needed to run a tight ship . I never took personally .

I have been told in the past thst I look like a teacher...usually by men. Apparently it is the glasses....

I was a nurse in my younger days. Once whilst visiting a friend in hospital long after I had left nursing I walked across the ward to get her some water and another patient called out
"Nurse can you help me please ". Seems teachers and nurses are recognisable. As someone said it must be the harassed and fatigued look.

I've been asked if I was a teacher several times when younger. Think my constant organising people, no nonsense way of communicating with said people,and the style of glasses I wore were all mistakenly meant I was a teacher. I wasn't. On holiday my DH was constantly asked if he was a police officer. Being brave once he did ask a person why he thought that when we were sitting by the pool. The answer was the guy noticed DHs eyes were constantly scanning everywhere. DH was indeed a PO with a particular specialism. The other guy was a publican.