What does 'a teacher' look like?

It's your shoes ladies
Comfort first and last..

I was a teacher. When I went, for the first time ,to the school where I volunteer, they thought I was an Ofsted inspector. I don't know what to make of that !!

When I lived in Dover I spent a lot of my spare time in the local library carrying out genealogical research (I was a volunteer for the Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness site). I lost count of the number of times people stopped and asked me questions about where stuff was in the Local Studies area. My daughter said it was my own fault because I usually knew where the item was that they were looking for! One of the paid librarians mentioned to me once that a lady had been in asking for 'that nice lady with the blue glasses that works in Local Studies' and they were baffled as none of the staff wore blue glasses! Now I am retired I would love to work part time in a Library but staff have been cut to the minimum so no opportunity where I live now

MamaCaz I think there are worse things to be likened to. I got asked if I was a Consultant at the hospital don’t know why I looked a mess at the time, I liked the comparison though lol

I have been told I look like a nurse. How wrong they are.

In the 1950s I did a six week's first aid course with St John's Ambulance Brigade. Got my certificate, grey frock and bonny hat. A friend at school thought I was very, very, clever as I would be able to tell the difference between a dead person and someone who had fainted.

I never got my free trip to the cinema, wearing my grey frock and hat, in my first aider capacity. I always refused when asked in case someone fainted or died - I wouldn't have known the difference.

Forgot to say that I was a teacher AND a mother of four at the same time. Perhaps the lack of sleep contributed to the 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.

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

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

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

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.

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’.

? 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.

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'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!

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

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

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!

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

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 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!

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

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