You can use cumin to flavour your dal. But if you leave it out, your dal still has flavour – just a different one.
You can make a statement by speaking a particular way. But even if you observe a vow of silence, you still end up making a statement.
You can brand a pair of jeans by using a logo and a slogan. If you do not brand your trousers, they will still end up standing for something.
Whether we like it or not, people have already formed their impression of us. Realizing this allows us to shed pretence and portray ourselves in ways that serve us rather than hinder us.
Observations 