I wear a kippa (jewish skullcap) and tzitzit (fringes that appear to come out of the pant waist). My experience is that there is a pro and a con to my unusual appearance. The pro is that I am often treated with a dignity and respect that is often bordering reverence. The con is that I am treated with such a manner of professionalism that it is difficult to have a 'human' experience with those that I am interacting with.

Oftentimes, I find in the work place that my opinion on issues, my involement in projects, etc. is met with an extra amount of credibility. I also find that as a result of my inability to participate in certain activities, e.g. luncheons with unkosher food, Friday night drinks at a local pub, I am always regarded in that bubble of credibility.

If I could provide an analogy, it would be the way an elementary student regards their teacher. In the class setting, the teacher is afforded a level of respect and admiration; that same teacher being seen in the grocery store is seen as 'out of context.'