The "crazy" Russian in dresses and skirts

[Grok]

Conformity was commented about in the Fashion Freestyler (formerly Casual Cross Dresser) blog. The theory is that as the gatekeepers of sex, women can-in effect-dictate male behavior. A man has to conform to womens' expectations if he is going to procreate. Myself, I think I was ignored because I am very introverted. Which brings up a comment on yet another forum...regarding mens position in society (as the disposable sex)-if your relationships with women don't work out, or (as in my case) don't get off the ground in the first place, what is left but cordial, business like relationships with women? (Bitterness, perhaps, but I don't want to go there).

[Grok]

I say there is a syndrome in our society that I call "Masculine Anxiety". If a man is not plain and ugly in his grooming and clothing - unless he is wearing the dreaded Monkey Suit (coat and tie) he must be effeminate - something to be avoided at all costs!

John

I can think of one alternative...there is something grand about the kilt as formal wear.

[Sinned]

I have looked back at some of the terms and conditions of employment and there seems to be uniformity in that there are no rules to bar a man from wearing a skirt. Even an employer that I am currently with specifies black skirt or black trousers but that description is under the heading for both sexes. So I suppose technically if I were to turn up for work in a black knee-length skirt and I was fired then I could sue them. Also I worked last year for a big insurance company and they made a big thing about the equalities ( disability, gender, race, sex and so on ) to the extent that we had to view a presentation on it every six months and sign to say that we had seen it. They even had a well-supported GLT society and if it's the one employer that I feel would have been tolerant ( but not necessarily welcomed ) my skirt wearing then that would have been it. But we live in the real world and it is the managers who "interpret" the rules according to their own values who ultimately have the final say as to who gets the great appraisals and who gets the sh*tty ones and hence wage increases and ultimately our jobs.

So crfrnd I do sympathise and I do hope that you find something else soon - I know what it's like to be in that limbo just waiting for THE DAY and it's not pleasant. Better to look around now and hopefully something will turn up. Our economy is showing glimmers of improvement.

As for the "male anxiety" it is not a straightforward issue. I do not crave acceptance from those around me except for my immediate family. I couldn't really care what the neighbours think. I will be of interest for a short while and then fade into the background - it's not as if we are particularly close to any of them. But in general why do we as men fear wearing female garments so much? It has been discussed about females being the lesser and by wearing their clothes we are bringing ourselves down to their lower level. There maybe something in this but it's not the whole story. Maybe I need to think about my own psyche a little.

[Lawrence de Grande]

Back on topic. I agree that he did take it too far when he stripped down. That was inappropriate and only had a negative effect on his position and cause. I do, however admire his courage to stand up for what he believes in. I think we all agree with him in that regard. I was going to post on the site in support of him but couldn't figure out their gimmick.

P.S. LOL at the typo, crapi vs capri. I love it!

[Grok]

The Russian case illustrates the situation-males are supposed to conform to a very rigid, very narrow, suffocating, stultifying gender role. We are stuffed into a coffin and are supposed to stay there. Regarding rules against discrimination...they were written with the white male in the role of Bad Guy.