Q. Why Do Public Relations People Frequently Wear Red?
Red is a color often associated with the blood that flows through our veins and helps keep us living. It can also symbolize focus, power, love, passion and a sense of enthusiasm. The color red is both powerful and positive; however, not all reds are good. For example, one type of red dye is used on chewing gum in place of sugar to give it an extra kick. Another type of red dye may be found in permanent marker pens. When we think about the idea of stopping something (i.e. a physical object or action), the idea of marking it with a red line or dot is typically associated with "stopping". Red is also used to mark a warning symbol on tires to make drivers aware that they need to slow down. A third type of red dye associated with blood is found in some pain relievers. This third type of dye can cause nausea and chills if given too large a dose in a person's system. There are some people who are allergic to this third type of red dye.
There's also a fourth type of red dye that may be found in items at the supermarket meat counter. This dye, often used for coloring fatty foods, is made from crushed bugs (beetles). Red dye is also a popular item used in many fast food restaurants. When you bite into a hot dog, chips or some other snack, what color is the food? Red. This stuff stays in your intestines for a few days and causes cancer. You see the point here? There are many types of red substances that can cause problems for people when they ingest them. When we eat red things, we can get a hefty dose of those (and similar) substances. The same is true when we interact with people or organizations in the public eye. We are to exercise restraint when dealing with others and not overreact to their words or actions. To do so would be irresponsible. As I stated in last week's article some people find red painful. They may want to lock themselves away from red objects, situations or relationships because of the painful association that they have with it.
In business and in life, there are many reasons why people do what they do. There are also many reasons why people get involved in certain positions and events. There are many things that cause people to act in certain ways towards others. When we get involved with the public and other individuals, we may not always know what types of personalities are involved. However, the normal and healthy person wants to do well and want to help others. If a public relations person wears red, depending on the situation or event, it may be because they're passionate about what they do. The same is true if an account executive wears red as part of their company's uniform or when someone else (in any walk of life) is wearing red for any reason at all. To some people, red can symbolize bravery and courage in order to help them get through trying situations in their lives...or simply a way to add a little color to their otherwise boring and drab life.
In many people's eyes, wearing red can reflect a positive reaction towards the situation or occasion at hand. In parties, receptions and dinners, it may be a way for someone to express their celebration or happiness in some event. Too often we find people who fail to see the positive side of things or situations while they focus on the negative side. The public relations industry has its share of negativity, just like any other industry out there. However, many public relations people I've known over the years are some of the most positive-minded and encouraging people I've ever met. While some may say that's an "old school" way of thinking or doing things, it's a major point where many traditional media companies are lacking in their skills and abilities today.
I have to admit that I was taught to see red as something almost taboo or forbidden early on in my years at a large media company. To see someone wearing red at my company's corporate office back then would likely get them reprimanded or fired on the spot. As a company's marketing department was in charge of hiring new CD's, we would always have to be searching the area for potential new recruits. I had to help my mother and father search for a new hire once. My mother had the CD she wanted to have interviewed and we set up the interview. When my father came to pick us up after he finished for the day, he asked where her CD was. "She left," my mum told him. At that point in time (1982), my parents weren't above running a personal errand or two here or there if it meant that they could get someone hired at their company. It was the only way they could get someone hired.
In those early days of my professional career, I had to drive a man across town miles after he finished working a twelve-hour day at his job on salary as a distributor of a large manufacturer's product. We circled around and around within the same one-block area of our city's downtown area. I still remember that drive and how cold it was at night and how much the traffic crawled along that slick road in those days. This small company had hired this man from out of state to come work for them. We're driving in circles like this to save money on gas. When we got to him we told him the job was all set and that he just had to sign a piece of paper and we could take him back home. We had made it so simple...so easy! I refused to drive the man back across the city, however. I saw Red's hand on this situation and refused to be a part of it. The man began talking about how he was cold, hungry and tired. So my father drove this man back across town, picked up his wife from her job at another company and drove them both home themselves.
I know what kind of environment this type of thinking brought our company into at that time in our lives. I know that some of the company's top management were in for a world of hurt if they had continued to give in to the same type of thinking that I was taught at my family's company. But I'm not here to bash or criticize anyone. All I'm saying is that all situations aren't always black or white, right or wrong and up or down. Sometimes things are just complicated and we have to go on with our lives without getting into a fist-fight every time we see something red somewhere along the line.
As part of today's article, you've been asked to think about some instances where you've seen red and how it either affects your life or someone else's life around you.
Conclusion:
In the past, like most people, I would have said that I didn't like or even like at all to see red in any situation. Today, I'm able to see red as just another color to have in my life. As with anything else, there are good sides and bad sides to seeing or wearing red. Red can be a balance point between pink and black. Like the other colors before it, we'll talk about them later on down the line. Also like other colors that we've covered, there are some additional lessons that you need to know about them before you can move on in life.
"If you love me...keep My Commandments.
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