Today my extended HR team held an off-site get-to-know-each-other-thanks-for-everything meeting. It was stressed that the specified dress code was strictly casual, shorts-and-sandals casual. When my manager underscored this to me yesterday just to be sure I understood it (it was she who declared it in the first place), I asked, "Kilt casual?"

"I dare you to wear a kilt!" she prodded. At this I scrunched up my face into one of those you've-got-be-kidding looks, so she conceded, "Oh, I guess that's not much of a dare for you."

I arrived early today to help set up. I wore my khaki UK, a cream-colored cotton camp shirt printed all over with various cocktail glasses, black belt, cream hose scrunched down over black hiking boots. My manager smiled and nodded a silent acknowledgement and that was the last of it.

Of the 50 people or so who attended, there were only two comments, both from people I see almost daily. The recruiter who works across the hall from me muttered "Love the skirt!" on her way in - it was not malicious; she was ribbing me - and the HR Business Partner in the office next door to mine told me how awesome he thought I looked at the end of the session during the tear-down. Other than that, not a word.

I guess it was all those HR people practicing good HR behavior - very encouraging. Just don't look to my next appearance in a kilt during regular hours at the headquarters offices!

Regards,
Rex.