An outing at work

[crfriend]

I got called into work yesterday morning to mop up a mess with some of the power cables to a few computers; the building power was being shut off to do some maintenance, and whilst it should not have affected anything in the main computer room, Murphy took advantage of the situation and two critical-on-that-day servers were knocked offline. Seeing as it would be unlikely to run into anybody "of consequence", I said the heck with it and wore a black calf-length cotton skirt and a black Hawaiian shirt over that; "shorty socks" and black loafers brought up the bottom.

Now my wearing skirts off-hours is not the best-kept of secrets (there are plenty of my vacation photos up on my personal web-server at work which show me in skirts), so even if I did run into anybody "of consequence" I didn't think it'd matter. Unfortunately I got shanghaied into a software problem that one of the other groups was having with e-mail, and despite my intent to fix the power problem, restart my office (a 45-minute operation every time the power quits), and return home, I wound up in the middle of a whole gaggle of folks: most of whom (1) didn't care or notice my attire and (2) were genuinely happy to see me because they know that I fix problems. The only hint of grief was the Director of European IT ("Information Technology") who's a Brit out of Cambridge (UK) -- one look at him and you could read the disapproval in the scowl he had on his face.

We'll see how this pans out over the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping that he does the mature thing and either doesn't pursue the matter, or does so in a humourous vein where any perceived "problem" can be ferretted out and fixed before it festers. Alas, it's not the people I work with, it's the people I work for...

[tooslowprius]

first off a applude you for wearing a skirt into work! i wish i had the type of job wear i could wear a skirt to work. I would say though that if he does make a big deal out of it to be prepaired to fight for your right's. becuase until we stand up and fight for your right's we will never get anywhere. hope things work out for you!

Steve

[Uncle Al]

I got called into work yesterday morning to mop up a mess with some of the power cables
to a few computers; the building power was being shut off to do some maintenance, and
whilst it should not have affected anything in the main computer room, Murphy took
advantage of the situation and two critical-on-that-day servers were knocked offline.
Seeing as it would be unlikely to run into anybody "of consequence", I said the heck with
it and wore a black calf-length cotton skirt and a black Hawaiian shirt over that;
"shorty socks" and black loafers brought up the bottom.

Now my wearing skirts off-hours is not the best-kept of secrets (there are plenty
of my vacation photos up on my personal web-server at work which show me in skirts),
so even if I did run into anybody "of consequence" I didn't think it'd matter.
Unfortunately I got shanghaied into a software problem that one of the other groups
was having with e-mail, and despite my intent to fix the power problem, restart
my office (a 45-minute operation every time the power quits), and return home,
I wound up in the middle of a whole gaggle of folks: most of whom (1) didn't care or
notice my attire and (2) were genuinely happy to see me because they know that
I fix problems. The only hint of grief was the Director of European IT ("Information
Technology") who's a Brit out of Cambridge (UK) -- one look at him and you could
read the disapproval in the scowl he had on his face.

We'll see how this pans out over the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping that he
does the mature thing and either doesn't pursue the matter, or does so in a humourous
vein where any perceived "problem" can be ferretted out and fixed before it festers.
Alas, it's not the people I work with, it's the people I work for...

Carl,

Could this be placed in seperate heading? The reason I'm asking is this could be a
great venue for discussion, but not under 'out-n-about'.
Or, could we add another catagory, On-the-Job?

Just a thought!

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[Pythos]

A Brit with a scowl on their mug?!!!

How astounding!.


Jokes aside, it is rather rare to see an upperclass (twit of the year?...sorry), without a scowl. Mine and my mother's experience with upper class people in England is that they can be and usually are the nastiest and meanest (and pointlessly so) people on the island. They are really seperated from the "common folk" and don't really go to school to learn, but instead get contacts (much like the ivy league schools in the states, just on a vastly worse level).

In short, unless he pursues to cause problems, pay him no mind, he most likely leads a most miserable life, but is not aware of it.

[SportSkirt]

(slightly tongue in cheek)
with regards to the comments above about upper class british, as a member from the uk I have to say I agree wholeheartedly. You would think a public school system incorporating institutionalised abuse and bullying would make them more tolerant but alas, 'tis not the case, indeed the opposite is the case.

[crfriend]

An interesting development happened this morning with regard to my sartorial choice of Saturday morning, and it turns out I managed to completely and utterly misread our European IT Manager. He popped into my office this morning and complimented me on the rig I had on when I was called in on Saturday. He also mentioned that I'd likely look right at home in London.

Is there something afoot in the UK that I'm unaware of on these shores?

In any event, it looks like the heat's off. Woo hoo!!

[JRMILLER]

Carl,
Your account even gave me nightmares last night, I found myself working in a large house by the beach hosting a huge party. I was the person in charge. I was dressed in a long skirt made of out of a lightweight nice fabric. As I greeted guests, the ones that knew me asked "what's with the skirt" kind of questions, so I felt a bit awkward. Then all Hell broke loose, a major plumbing leak, water spraying everywhere and I have to fix it, in my nice skirt! I remember thinking I should have worn that Utililikilt!

You probably did NOT misread the fellow, a scowl is a scowl. However, he had all night to think about it and how valuable you are and decided to make the best of it. The fact that you would "fit in" in the UK is probably a correct observation, the Brits do seem to be leading the charge on this particular issue.

-john

[Peter v]

Close call.
But while we all want to be able to wear our choice of clothing in most cases, at most times and most venues, who is actually willing to take a stand when challenged and be one of the few who will actually be the ones who can possibly change the way men in skirts are TO BE PERCIEVED, AND in law be protected against pure discriminative thoughts comming from any individual. Because, as it may be, principle, head, boss, manager and so on, they are one for one individuals and are in function responsible for their actions, and MUST be respectful, MUST NOT be discriminative in any way to "the personnel" of which THEY are also one of. Of course those people may think they are god and they can force their narrow discriminative outdated way of thinking on any body "under"them.

It may be the most scary thing that some have ever done, except of course skirt wearers who have had their tour of duty in NAM, or something equally terrifying, but there are some moments that are not of choice, but by fate? that we find our selves in, and can either stand or creep away. I am sure that we are all very thankfull for all those who at some time or another have stood ground on so many rights issues, and other, to give us the rights and freedoms we enjoy ( should) today.

For the individual like Crfriend at that moment, it is a daunting challenge, but I do hope that when one of "us" ( men in skirts ) is challenged that he can stand ground and make a stand for his rights, not only against discrimination, but directly challenging the manner that other people think that they can be, act as, as some sort of dictator over a scared population. All attention should be focussed on the person not functioning, The person "above "the man in skirt or whatever, (and not the innocent victim), who has no decency, the person on paper "above" the man in skirts.( the issue is quite likely not only a skirt issue, but a power issue, a respectles attitude issue which people in higher functions should not have. ((excepting in buisnesses where the "top' likes "heavy handed" mean and agressive types to push the personnel under them.))

I am so pleased and relieved to read that all was fine for you Crfriend.

[crfriend]

You probably did NOT misread the fellow, a scowl is a scowl. However, he had all night to think about it and how valuable you are and decided to make the best of it.

Whether it was a misread or not is likely rather irrelevant now. Pleasantries have since been exchanged, and I doubt that there will be any fallout from it. The actual wording was, "You rocked that outfit!" which I took as praise this morning -- or at least as a compliment.

Close call.

Probably not. Certainly if anybody had wanted to make a stink they could have, but my opinion was that I was there on my time, and if somebody was going to be shallow enough to badger me about what I was wearing that's their problem; I was just there to fix things, and that's precisely what I did. What I was wearing had nothing to do with my ability to troubleshoot and repair stuff.

From a practical perspective, the skirt was a bit of a nuisance when I was installing new power-distribution hardware in the very bottom of a computer-rack; I either had to crouch down low on the balls of my feet or lie down to do a lot of that, and it was (1) dark, (2) cramped, and (3) very hot where the work needed doing. I stepped on the hem a couple of times upon standing up, but recovered before pulling it off. The software fixes were undertaken at a desk so the skirt was a complete non-issue.

[Pythos]

Perhaps the fellow is not in fact an upper class twit of the year.

The scowl though is an unfortunate feature of many from the UK. At least with my experience, (me mum's a brit so I do have an idea of what I talk about).

But the guy doesn't fit the twit category with the statement he said to you. He didn't just compliment, but also used a phrase that showed true enthusiasm for what he saw. Perhaps getting in a conversation concerning what he meant by fitting into London is in order.

[Uncle Al]

..<snip>..He didn't just compliment, but also used a phrase that showed true enthusiasm
for what he saw. Perhaps getting in a conversation concerning what he meant by fitting
into London is in order.

And I hope it would only be for a visit--nothing permanent!

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[sapphire]

I'm happy, happy, thrilled, thrilled!!!!

[Uncle Al]

I'm happy, happy, thrilled, thrilled!!!!

Ok Sapphire, I can tell you're holding back......yet you're about ready to bust!
Granted, one of your cats may have your tongue, but I doubt it..
What's your news


Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[Peter v]

Cr friend, i am not so clear on "my time" or did you do the job prodeo, free of charge, as a friend helping a friend? Or was it in a professional way? Then your hours should be paid for, and you would then I would think have to adhere to any regulations in being, like safety regs. But not specially meaning no skirts.

This shows the unfortunate situation most men who wear skirts are probably in. They may wear skirts occasionally in public, but not at work, not daring a confrontation. Which is understandable but unfortunate as only then can the whole negative issue of personal preferance of higher in rank officials, pushing their own personal mediocracies, or not allowing skirts to be worn where there is no safety or even client issues. Probably because no man or only a handful has ever challenged the rule. Asking will probably get a "no". Challenging shows that you are determined and that the "higher" men have to start giving good reasons why they might not accept it. Having the union on your side would be very handy. As I would think in most cases, personal burdens on skirt wearing are no excuse to keep others from wearing. People have their rights, even if they are in employ. Personal rights don't dissappear on the other side of the front door. Well, they may, but only because we let them, and they shouldn't dissappear.

But I do know when anybody is dependant on their income from a job, they should think twice about how, or even if they would do anything to disrupt the situation. Accepting that once you start wearing skirts and that freedom becomes more important in your life, you can't just simply forget that, and I think that it should be incorporated in your life as much as possible, meaning also at work. There is often no good reason not to allow skirt wearing, the only reason being an outdated, discriminating way of thinking from the persons who have any instructing position. I wonder what the legal side to that is. There should be no sex discrimination for work, and also no clothing discrimination. But.....

[Uncle Al]

Cr friend, i am not so clear on "my time" ....

Peter....Carl 'came in to work' on his day off ( my time ).
He stated earlier that he was on salary, so no overtime pay.

Then he had the good response from the IT man from 'across-
the-pond'. I'm still wondering what made Sapphire so 'thrilled'.

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX