Sensible dress code

Some like to wear a T-shirt and jeans, others a suit and tie. Everybody should have the choice to go wherever he likes in the attire he prefers. The China Daily has now come up with an interesting argument for wearing T-shirts instead of suits. (China Daily: Sensible office wear)

If you wear a suit and tie, the airco has to be kept at a lower temperature to be comfortable, wasting energy and increasing green house gas emissions. If “keeping good manners” wastes energy and contributes to climate change, perhaps it's time to ditch the “good manners”. The article in the China Daily concludes: “The corporate world should shake free of the idea that suits are the only appropriate office attire.” Maybe the Chinese can show the way?

Save the planet, dress less!

The white tie

This topic is a bit outdated, but had to queue for more important issues to be addressed first. Still, let's give this a try, because for once – yes just this once – and only on this very particular topic – I agree with (hold your breath...) George W. Bush! Yes, weird things do happen in this world...

Our favorite Texas cowboy was horrified when wife Laura gently told him he had to don the full regalia of a top-of-the-bill gala dinner on the occasion of the visit of Britain's Majesty Queen Elisabeth II to the White House. Now I had heard about a black-tie dinner (horrible enough), but this was to be a white-tie dinner. Gosh, I had to turn to Wikipedia to find out what this thing was all about. Well, more starched this and that and a white thing elaborately strangling your neck. You can check it out for yourself. (CNN: Bush to host Queen Elizabeth at white-tie dinner)

By now, you know I am an ardent opponent of any “dress code” whatsoever. Let freedom reign. Let everybody wear whatever he or she likes or even wear nothing at all... My personal favorites are: a Mao jacket, Kim Jong-Il's bomber jacket or Fidel's battle dress. And yes, a checkered shirt and jeans.

So, this once, I sympathized with George W. Bush. Although, of course, he shouldn't be hosting white-tie dinners at the White House, but should be on death row at an International War Crimes Tribunal, but that's besides the point in this case.

Because in this case the Queen was plain wrong. As a guest in the U.S. who the Hell she thinks she is forcing the president to wear a ridiculous outfit just to please her? Of course, George Bush blew it by winking at her and getting his anniversary dates wrong. But nobody, not even a war criminal, should be subjected to the torture of a white-tie dinner.

As for Queen Elisabeth II: “God Save The Queen, she ain't no human being, she made you a moron” (Copyright: The Sex Pistols)

‘Dress Code’ Dictatorship

Honestly, I am going to limit posts of this kind to the absolute minimum. If I have to climb on my Banana Soap Box, it means I am REALLY REALLY VERY VERY pissed off about something and anything written here may not be suitable for persons under the age of 18, because they are really too young to read this, or anybody above the age of 98, because I do not want to disturb the peace of those elderly ladies and gentlemen.

SO THIS IS THE FINAL WARNING, READ ON AT YOUR OWN PERIL…

Are you still with me? Very well then…

Today I received an e-mail sent by the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in China (BenCham) inviting me to a breakfast meeting. First things first, I never like breakfast meetings. I never - ever - take breakfast, perhaps because it’s not really appropriate to have a beer at breakfast and if that’s not ‘done’ I prefer to skip breakfast. At least, at lunch I can have a beer - or two, or three…

So unless some really BIG BIGSHOT invites me to breakfast, you won’t see me there…

Well, never mind, so far, so good.

Back to BenCham. They are organizing a breakfast in the Capital Club on the 50th floor of the Capital Mansion at the unholy hour of 8 a.m. and have the temerity to mention “Please note that there is a dress code for the Capital Club”.

Period. What dress code? You guess? Probably suit and tie. I never ever accept any dress code unless it’s T-shirt/jeans/sneakers!

In some parts of Europe, including Belgium, wearing a headscarf, chador or burka is prohibited by law or regulations. And here in the center of Beijing you have a place which tries to force you to wear a suit and tie.

To hell with the fascist dictatorship of the dress code!

If a lovely Muslim lady wants to wear a headscarf, chador or burka, please let it be. If it’s a headscarf, we unfortunately can’t see her beautiful hair, if it’s a chador we can only see her beautiful eyes and if it’s a burka we can’t see anything at all. Let her be free to wear whatever she wants.

Likewise, everybody should be free to wear a suit and tie, or NOT…

And for those who still want to have my recommendation for a dress code? Very well then: Comrade Kim Jong Il’s bomber jacket!