“If it doesn’t look good, don’t put it on your front porch”

“If it doesn’t look good, don’t put it on the/your front porch” appears to be a real estate adage (make your house look the best), but is usually a Southern mother’s advice to a daughter to always look her best. “‘If it don’t look good, don’t put it on your front porch.’ (Mom’s wardrobe advice)” was cited in print in the Dallas (TX) Morning News in 1994. “Like we say in Arkansas, ‘If it ain’t pretty, don’t put it out on the front porch’” was cited in print in 2004, when Gennifer Flowers spoke about a woman’s looks. “If you don’t want the world to see, don’t put it on your front porch” was cited in print in 2010 on a website from Eastern Carolina.
 
The saying has been applied to social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. “With all social media, remember the real estate adage: If it doesn’t look good, don’t put it on your front porch” was cited on Twitter in 2011.
 
   
8 May 1994, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “Momspeak”:
“If it don’t look good, don’t put it on your front porch.” (Mom’s wardrobe advice)—Sandra Walsh, Dallas
 
New York (NY) Times
Gennifer Flowers Is in Town, And She’s Still Singing
By JOYCE WADLER
Published: January 25, 2004
(...)
“Cellulite. Like we say in Arkansas, ‘If it ain’t pretty, don’t put it out on the front porch.’”
 
WITN (Eastern Carolina)
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 27, 2010 at 02:15 PM
If you don’t want the world to see, don’t put it on your front porch. And don’t put it on mine or say it’s on my porch.
 
Twitter
mochamomma‏
@mochamomma  
@theuppitynegro I am not surprised. My granny used to say that if it don’t look good then don’t put it on your front porch.
3:01 PM - 2 Jul 11
 
Twitter
Lynn University‏
@LynnUSportsMgmt  
With all social media, remember the real estate adage: If it doesn’t look good, don’t put it on your front porch. #social4tixsales
5:51 PM - 13 Dec 11
 
Blog Catalog
Reality TV or why Honey Boo Boo is no Queen For A Day
OH my goodness gracious sakes alive. My grandparents had so many wonderful sayings (some I can repeat in mixed company and most I can’t) but one of their sayings comes to mind and really applies to this particular reality TV show… If it ain’t purdy don’t put it on the front porch. I am guessing Honey Boo Boo’s grandparents never heard that expression.
(...)
Updated: September 12th, 2012 at 06:20 am |  Posted: September 9th, 2012 at 02:38 pm
 
Twitter
Veronica Goretti
‏@mrspandolfo  
My grandmother always said ” if you would not do it or put it out on your front porch don’t do it. Took me a long time but I finally get it.
4:39 PM - 19 Aug 13