It makes no sense November 14, 2008
Posted by alysette in Single.Tags: clothing, dressing up
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So, last Friday I met up with a friend and we went out to a local Mexican eatery to catch up on each other’s lives.
This is uber-sexy compared to how I was dressed last Friday.
I had suffered from a lapse of “why even bother” the night before, and was wearing jeans, steel-toed tennis shoes (yes, they really do make such a thing), a gray flannel long-sleeve shirt, and a brown tee-shirt over that. I had put on some eye make up, mostly because everyone at work asks me if I’m feeling alright if I don’t. I had remembered to run a brush through my hair, and that was it. It was probably the slobbiest I’ve looked in a while.
The waiter flirted with me. I thought I was just imaging things, but then my friend started to tease me about it. I was ridiculously flattered and flabbergasted (for some reason, people usually don’t flirt with me, at least not that I’m aware of).
On top of that, though, I thought: so why exactly have I been trying to look attractive if dressing like a schlub is what it takes? I usually wear figure-flattering tops that reveal some cleavage (there was none in evidence between the flannel and the tee-shirt), trouser-cut jeans (or trousers), and some jewelry.
The other consideration was the age of the waiter. He looked very young; we finally decided that he had to be at least 21, as the place served alcohol. So, on top of the mystery of why he was flirting with me in the first place (and he was CUTE! Big, dreamy brown eyes and a slow, sexy smile) was why someone so young was flirting with me. Icediva is apparently not the only cougar-in-training.
I still haven’t figured that out. And I’m trying to figure out why I expend the energy I do (which, granted, isn’t much) into how I dress when it’s apparently wasted.
I’m going to make the attempt tomorrow. It’s Friday, which is usually casual day, except that I have a luncheon with a group of coworkers that will include Upper Managment. I feel I should dress up just a little, especially as I am expecting that I will get kudos at this meeting. It just seems the proper thing to do.
Does dressing down equal growing up? October 31, 2008
Posted by alysette in Women, Work.Tags: dressing up, growing up, Halloween
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I asked my boss if I had to behave like a grown-up today.
He said yes.
I half-heartedly grumbled at him, and he laughed. At least we get along well, and I know that he’s watching out for me.
So. Ever since I’ve had an office job, I’ve dressed up for Halloween. I figured it was my escape from corporate drudgery for one day out of the year. Anyone who knows me could tell you that Halloween is, and has always been, my favorite holiday. The Count on Sesame Street was my favorite Muppet – even though I’ve always hated math. I’m just that kind of girl.
I dressed up the first year I worked at my company (that’s me, below, as Medusa). I was the only one who did and no, that didn’t bother me.
As Medusa in 2006
Apparently, however, someone in corporate was taken aback. My boss asked me very nicely last year not to dress up. I wore a shirt with jack-o-laterns on it instead and had people asking me all day why I wasn’t in costume.
I really wasn’t planning on it this year, but I couldn’t resist asking. I wasn’t really surprised that (1) my boss knew what I was talking about and (2) said no.
It’s not that I deal with customers – my company manufactures products that go directly to distributors, and go to market from there. It’s the corporate culture.
One of my co-workers is took the day off to keep his children out of school, as his family does not do Halloween at all. They think it’s evil. He had no problem getting the time off for that very reason. I know a lot of people share that view – sometimes I just don’t care.
Part of me knows that it’s not very grown-up, and certainly not very professional, to pretend to be someone else for a day. But, really, what’s the harm? I’ve always been careful to select costumes that were neither explicit nor revealing. I’ve always brought candy in so people can trick-or-treat my desk (and I am talking chocolate here). I bring in fun little decorations for my office. I still get work done – it just adds a little fun to the day.
I know it’s in my best interest to tone it down. But part of me hates to give it up.
