--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Questions like, \"Is my suit OK?\", or \"Is…" description: "\"Questions like, \"Is my suit OK?\", or \"Is my job performance satisfactory?\", are impossible to think about in the absence of a suitable frame of referen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/robert-h-frank-16805_absence_questions-like-is-my-suit-ok-or-is-my-jo_3037637.jpg" --- # Questions like, "Is my suit OK?", or "Is my job… ![“Questions like, "Is my suit OK?", or "Is my job performance satisfactory?", are impossible to think about in the absence of a suitable frame of reference. For an interview suit to serve its purpose, it must make you look good relative to other candidates for the job you want. For your job…” quote by Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/robert-h-frank-16805_absence_questions-like-is-my-suit-ok-or-is-my-jo_3037637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/robert-h-frank-16805_absence_questions-like-is-my-suit-ok-or-is-my-jo_3037637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/robert-h-frank-16805_absence_questions-like-is-my-suit-ok-or-is-my-jo_3037637.jpg) > “Questions like, "Is my suit OK?", or "Is my job performance satisfactory?", are impossible to think about in the absence of a suitable frame of reference. For an interview suit to serve its purpose, it must make you look good relative to other candidates for the job you want. For your job performance to be satisfactory, it must compare favorably with the performance of others who want the same promotion you do. As Charles Darwin saw clearly, much of life is graded on the curve, and conventional economic models completely ignore that fact.” [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights that performance judgments rely on relative comparison, a fact often ignored in economics. **In simple terms:** We judge by comparing to others. Key Takeaway Recognize and adjust for relative standards. Themes comparison evaluation economics Mood critical analytical Type observational critical When to use this quote - job interviews - salary negotiations - performance reviews Key Concepts relative utility social benchmarking Questions to Reflect On - How does comparison affect your self‑esteem? - Can you create absolute standards? A Different Perspective May oversimplify individual merit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Candidates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candidates/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charles-darwin/) [Compare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compare/) [Conventional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional/) [Curves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curves/) [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [Economic models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-models/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Frame of reference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frame-of-reference/) [Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible/) [Interview Suit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interview-suit-4991103/) [Interviews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interviews/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Like Suit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-suit-1186201/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Models](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/models/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Promotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promotion/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Relative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relative/) [Saws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saws/) [Suit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suit/) [Suit Ok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suit-ok-4991104/) [Suit Serve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suit-serve-4991105/) [Suitable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suitable/) [Suits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suits/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [If the search is for examples that contradict the predictions of standard economic models, a good rule of thumb is to start in France.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/if-the-search-is-for-examples-that-contradict-the-predictions-of/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [The most glaring deficiency in traditional economic models is that they completely ignore the role of context in evaluation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/the-most-glaring-deficiency-in-traditional-economic-models-is-that/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [When the rich build bigger, they shift the frame of reference that shapes the demands of the near rich, who travel in the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/when-the-rich-build-bigger-they-shift-the-frame-of-reference-that/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [“I wear my composure like a suit of armor, for better or worse. 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Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-v-lawson/) > [Stay hard like my suit made by Tony Stark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/childish-gambino/stay-hard-like-my-suit-made-by-tony-stark/) [Childish Gambino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/childish-gambino/) > [It definitely sometimes feels like a suit that I wish I could zip off. But I don’t feel bad about any of the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reese-witherspoon/it-definitely-sometimes-feels-like-a-suit-that-i-wish-i-could-zip-off/) [Reese Witherspoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reese-witherspoon/) > [One of the reasons I like a suit is because I've never been that keen on my body. The shape a suit presents is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/one-of-the-reasons-i-like-a-suit-is-because-i-ve-never-been-that-keen/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [But when I'm done with the job I can take it off pretty easy, it's like a suit of clothes, put on something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beau-bridges/but-when-i-m-done-with-the-job-i-can-take-it-off-pretty-easy-it-s/) [Beau Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beau-bridges/) > [The corporatist-economic model of society appears to be governing us. Economists, often in the pay of transnationals, are deciding, for us, what democracy is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-w-powe/the-corporatist-economic-model-of-society-appears-to-be-governing-us/) [B. W. Powe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-w-powe/) > [Nothing in these abstract economic models actually works in the real world. 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Frank > [If the search is for examples that contradict the predictions of standard economic models, a good rule of thumb is to start in France.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/if-the-search-is-for-examples-that-contradict-the-predictions-of/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [When people bump up against one another in the course of pursuing their goals, it is in everyone's interest to resolve any resulting problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/when-people-bump-up-against-one-another-in-the-course-of-pursuing/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [It is no exaggeration to say that rising inequality has driven many of the 99 percent into a financial ditch. It also helped spawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/it-is-no-exaggeration-to-say-that-rising-inequality-has-driven-many/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [We could curtail private spending by several trillion dollars a year without requiring painful sacrifices from anyone. That would be more than enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/we-could-curtail-private-spending-by-several-trillion-dollars-a-year/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [The most glaring deficiency in traditional economic models is that they completely ignore the role of context in evaluation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/the-most-glaring-deficiency-in-traditional-economic-models-is-that/) [Robert H. 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They've all built bigger mansions and staged more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/rising-inequality-hasn-t-really-accomplished-anything-of-value-for/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [As economists have long noted, the puzzle is not that so few people vote, it's that so many do. After all, no individual's vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/as-economists-have-long-noted-the-puzzle-is-not-that-so-few-people/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [Pass down values every day through your actions, your words and your time with your kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/pass-down-values-every-day-through-your-actions-your-words-and-your/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [No society has ever succeeded without a decent government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/no-society-has-ever-succeeded-without-a-decent-government/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [When the rich build bigger, they shift the frame of reference that shapes the demands of the near rich, who travel in the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/when-the-rich-build-bigger-they-shift-the-frame-of-reference-that/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [If top marginal income tax rates are set too high, they discourage productive economic activity. In the limit, a top marginal income tax rate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/if-top-marginal-income-tax-rates-are-set-too-high-they-discourage/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [For the three decades after WWII, incomes grew at about 3 percent a year for people up and down the income ladder, but since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/for-the-three-decades-after-wwii-incomes-grew-at-about-3-percent-a/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) > [“Reflect on your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-frank/reflect-on-your-present-blessings-of-which-every-man-has-many-not-on/) [Robert H. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) [Explore all 39 Robert H. Frank quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-frank/) ## More Absence quotes > [Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [Total depravity means the entire absence of holiness, not the highest intensity of sin. A totally depraved man is not as bad as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/total-depravity-means-the-entire-absence-of-holiness-not-the-highest/) [William Greenough Thayer Shedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-greenough-thayer-shedd/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. 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Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) [Browse all 2,057 Absence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Questions like, \"Is my suit OK?\", or \"Is my job performance satisfactory?\", are impossible to think about in the absence of a suitable frame of reference. For an interview suit to serve its purpose, it must make you look good relative to other candidates for the job you want. For your job performance to be satisfactory, it must compare favorably with the performance of others who want the same promotion you do. As Charles Darwin saw clearly, much of life is graded on the curve, and conventional economic models completely ignore that fact.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert H. 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