Too Much Too Soon?

[cessna152towser]

Like the others I'd make a presentation to the Committee but if they say no to the kilt I'd leave it there for the time being. I don't see why there should be any dress code a problem with any kind of kilt for a dressing down Friday but I'd say that on other days a kilt should preferably be a dark self colour of dark tartan to look professional. I chose to wear a black kilt today for Court duty, as I feel that being greeted by a kilted official reassures the public who are often attending Court for the first time and may find it intimidating, but I will probably choose to wear trousers for returning to the court's offices tomorrow to do the paperwork when I will not be meeting the public.

[sorcererdale]

I was wondering if you have talked to any of the other employees who saw you in your kilt, or maybe some customers too, if you deal with them? What are their thoughts?

Remember too, you don't want to say why wearing a kilt is good for you, but what it can do for the company or their customers. I keep thinking of all the times a person remembers the guy in the kilt or the companies that have kilted employees that always get the repeat business.

Good luck on this, and let us know what you decide to do, and what the results are.

DALE.

[bubba]

Here's how I'd handle it. I'd be starting to send out my resume. I admit, I'm just more aggressive on such things. In my old profession I could afford to be. I could quit a company and start with a new one the next day, others aren't that fortunate. You just have to make the call if you can afford to stand firm or not and if the result might be worth the fight.

[Colin]

The only two things you can really do, are be prepared with information, and respect their final decision.

Ugly Bear summed it up the best.

[Reggie]

I want to thank all of you very much for your words of support and advice. I have read all of the responses several times over, and many previous posts on this subject as well.
As of now, I have my wifes support to attend the meeting, and I will. And I will obide by the outcome. My instincts tell me to put this dog back to sleep, but the braveheart in me wants to face this challenge. I must at least try. I have been in much turmoil because I love my job and everything about it. It's the best job I've ever had, but I also know that if we continually shy away from these type of things, we won't get very far very fast.
I will not present myself in an adversarial or confrontational way, but will discuss the issue in a logical, reasonable, and objective manner. I will have a couple of pictures with me to show that a kilted man can look professional. The last thing I want to do is embarrass my kilted brethren, or represent them in a poor light. My wife said to remember that I'm at the negotiating table, not the battlefield, and I must approach it with the innocence of a lamb, and the cunning of ten foxes. That I will do. I will be preparred, use what few wits I have, and do my level best for all of us.
I am much obliged to all of you for your help. I will certainly let you know how things went.
Highest regards to all,
Reggie

[Alan H]

I have little to add to what's been said, only this.....good luck in your meeting. Be honest, be strong, stand up for yourself, but don't be stupid and if the committee says "no", then you proceed on to the next step, deciding what your choices will be.

[Southern Breeze]

Remember, if things don't go your way, being kilted is also a state of mind. You can wear pants on the outside and be kilted on the inside. Best of luck.

[Angus MacSpey]

Reggie,

Jobs can be replaced, work can usually be had, new jobs can be created by you. However the help mate that you mentioned, remember that wives are keepers.

This is, of course, keeping in mind that the female mentality is more geared toward security. Women are not nearly as willing as men to take risks that can result in greater reward. Probably 99.9 per cent of wives out there would rather their husbands slog off to the same drudgery every day of their lives for a small but consistent paycheck, than to support him in a venture that could result in a much higher standard of living for her. She would sooner keep what she has than take the risk.

(And don't hassle me about making generalizations here. I've seen it too much.)

To take a slightly different tack, I would submit that since the very dawn of civilization there have been bosses and slaves. If you work for a paycheck, if your boss tells you when to show up, when to go home, when to take lunch, when to go to the bathroom, when to take a smoke break, what to wear, etc., then you are a slave. If you are the one setting the rules, you are a boss.

So, if you value the security of a consistent paycheck (although in today's economy there really is no job security), then you must submit to the rules of your employer. If I was your boss and you pushed me too far, I'd get a more obedient slave. Just be glad you're only fired and not flogged for your insolence.

If you want to make your own rules, then you become a boss.

Admittedly, this is a rather extreme way to paint this conflict, but hopefully should serve well to illustrate my point.

(I would suggest to any young and single men out there - if you have ambitions of owning your own business, do it before you get married - lest you wind up a slave to The Man AND The Wife.)

[Yaish]

If you think you are your own boss, try ignoring the rules set forth by government, of not paying your taxes.

[davedove]

If you think you are your own boss, try ignoring the rules set forth by government, of not paying your taxes.

So true. No matter what you do for a living, there is always somebody telling you what you have to do, either a boss, your customers, or the ultimate rule setter the government.